Amid the ongoing war situation in West Asia, people returning from Dubai expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Punjab Government, stating that the Government made them feel like family members during the difficult time. The Punjab Government has also set up a special helpdesk at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, SAS Nagar (Mohali) to assist returnees arriving from West Asia.
On this occasion, Chairman Punjab water supply and Sewerage Board Dr. Sunny Singh Ahluwalia and NRI Affairs Special Secretary Amandeep Kaur received Bathinda-based Principal Neeru Garg, her family members, and other returnees at the airport. The returnees said that the Punjab Government’s NRI Wing has established a 24×7 Control Room with helpline numbers 0172-2260042, 0172-2260043 and a WhatsApp helpline number +91 94787 79112, which made people (Punjabis) stuck in Dubai and other Middle East/West Asia countries feel that the government stood by them like family.
Dr. Sunny Singh Ahluwalia said that the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government is fully committed to safeguarding the interests of Indians and Punjabis stranded abroad during the West Asia crisis. Special Secretary Amandeep Kaur said that the State Government is in constant touch with the Government of India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure the safe return of Indians and Punjabis.
Neeru Garg, a member of the Bathinda family who had made a distress call seeking safe return to Punjab, especially thanked Punjab Minister for NRI Affairs Dr. Ravjot Singh. She said that after noticing their crisis call on social media, the Minister personally contacted them over the phone and expressed solidarity with the family while assuring support for their safe return.
She also expressed gratitude to Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann for taking care of Punjabis stranded abroad during the West Asia crisis and for issuing helpline numbers to assist them. All the returnees who arrived at SAS Nagar from Dubai via a connecting flight from Mumbai said that they now feel safe and sincerely thanked the Punjab Government for its timely efforts and support.