Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed deep concern over the escalating war situation in the Middle East and the plight of several Odia people stranded in the region. Emphasising the importance of ensuring their safe return, the Chief Minister has directed Chief Secretary Anu Garg to closely monitor the developments and take necessary steps to facilitate the return of Odias.
Acting on the Chief Minister’s instructions, a high-level meeting was convened on March 2 under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to review the situation arising out of the Middle East crisis. During the meeting, Pritish Panda, Officer on Special Duty in the Directorate of Odisha Paribar under the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, was appointed as the nodal officer to coordinate the response.
Officials said that the Directorate of Odisha Paribar has so far received around 200 phone calls from Odia people currently in the Middle East seeking assistance. The Directorate is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate their safe return to India.
The External Affairs Ministry has also established a special control room and issued a toll-free helpline number—1800-118-797—for Indians requiring assistance. In addition, the Directorate is gathering real-time information on the situation through interactions with members of Odia associations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Dhaka.
According to official sources, 35 Odia tourists had been stranded in Dubai due to the prevailing situation. Of them, nine returned to Bhubaneswar via Kochi on March 7, while the remaining tourists reached the city the following day on a special flight operated by Air India Express.
Information received from the External Affairs Ministry indicates that about 65,000 Indians have so far returned safely from the Middle East through special evacuation flights arranged by the government.
The ministry has also issued additional contact numbers for Indians in various Middle Eastern countries seeking help. The control room can be contacted between 9 am and 9 pm at the toll-free number 1800-118-797 or at +91 11 2301 2113, +91 11 2301 4104 and +91 11 2301 7905.
