NewsGate Press Network

Even as new “SOS” messages that appeared over the weekend in social media platforms from students held-up in Japan due to extended lockdowns, an MEA official reiterated that they have been ‘advised to stay put where ever they are’, till situation improves.

Many students have even posted WhatsApp messages to Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe seeking his immediate intervention requesting him to arrange their safe passage back home (to India).

Meanwhile earlier this week hopes of immediate relief for such students were dashed after the Supreme Court on Monday, 13 April 2020, observed that Indian citizens stranded in various countries due to the Covid-19 pandemic should “stay where they are”.

The Central Government has said (on Monday last) it would not be feasible to “selectively evacuate” those who want to return due to various reasons.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said this while hearing through video-conferencing a batch of pleas seeking evacuation of Indian citizens from different countries including United Kingdom and Gulf nations.

“People should stay where they are right now,” said the bench, also comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and M M Shantanagoudar.

Over the weekend different media reports suggested that Indian missions have got in touch with the NRI community and OCI (overseas citizens of India) cardholders to help the Indians stuck abroad.

According to government sources, around 3,336 Indians in 53 countries have been diagnosed with Covid-19, while the number of deaths has reached 25.

Social media messages put up family members of students from Japan are moving.

“Since India has extended lockdown to May 3, this is the opportune time to rescue Indians stuck in Japan as well as other countries. If the evacuation is carried out in the post lockdown period, it would become extremely tough to separate, quarantine or trace them,” said Shweta Vijayvargia, the aggrieved wife of Kamal Vijayvargia, a businessman from Jaipur stranded in Tokyo.

The relatives here fear, “Japan has already reached its maximum capacity in terms of hospital beds and less severe cases are being shifted/quarantined in hotels. In such a scenario, it is highly unlikely that Indian nationals would be given preference.”

Hundreds of Indian nationals are stranded in Japan due to the current pandemic situation. Their families, children, dependent elderlies, and spouses have made repeated attempts to urge various authorities for evacuation but to no avail.

They added that an opportunity had existed between 23 March and 14 April when return flights could have been used to ferry back Indian from Tokyo to New Delhi of two dozen chartered planes that operated.

Apart from students held-up in Japan, immediate monetary relief in on the way for students Indian students in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK – some facing mounting debt and fees.

On Sunday last 12 April 2020, Canada began accepting applications for its newly introduced Canadian Emergency Response Benefit, a scheme under which unemployed workers can get $500 a week for up to 16 weeks. This is also applicable to international students who pass the eligibility criteria.