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Stuck beyond borders: Stranded desis take social media route for ‘come back’
The global pandemic has left stranded individuals or families stuck in various parts of the globe – be it on account of a vacation or a business trip or an unplanned short trip, in a fix.
Chennai
From engaging chartered flights to transport expats to forming Facebook groups or using social platforms, various combinations are being considered to reach out to the authorities as government agencies mull ways to ensure a “safe and fast” commute for those stuck in locations.
A lot of people from India, from senior citizens or college students, have been stranded in the US due to the worldwide COVID-19 lockdown.
“Business people who came on short trips are waiting to go back. There are individual stories of families, who came here but are stranded and not even being able to join their dear ones at grieving times. One grandmother was in California basking in the joy of her newly-born grandchild, while her husband passed away back in India. Neither the wife nor the daughter could go to attend the funeral,” said a resident of the US, who later came to know of a Facebook group, created to highlight the plight of stranded people. “In May, my parents were supposed to come over from my sister’s place in California before their scheduled departure to Chennai.
But now everyone is gripped with fear due to the uncertainty staring at us. Being aged, my parents are so scared that they are not sure of their safe return anytime soon.” There are also those like a professional from Pittsburgh, scheduled to reach Chennai on April 9, to meet his parents and also complete his visa formalities. But the lockdown has completely spoilt his plans. With consular services yet to resume and no clarity on an expected timeline to re-start, this year’s travel itinerary may well have to wait.
Eurpoean expats, around 50 of them working with MNCs in Chennai, are in the process of getting back to their homes. “Interestingly, they are not worried or hassled. These expats, in fact, feel quite comfortable being in the city, given the pandemic statistics, compared to global locations, have not reached alarming proportions,” said a source close to them.
Chennai has scored over other cities as far as facilitation or managing emergencies are concerned. The ease of sharing or the transmission of information, backed up by the relevant authorities, rather than a brusque notice with no clear guidelines, have earned laurels for the administrative authorities, some of the expats stuck here concurred. With the city home to several MNCs across diverse sectors, there has been a surge in expat population.
Meanwhile, VP Harris, MD, Witco, said a big reduction in ‘work travel’ irrespective of whether it is business, professional, governmental services, “will impact us (Witco) the most. Holiday, leisure, home visits, among other things, will also get hit though the silver lining is that of the road travel bouncing back. Students going overseas again is extremely tricky. It will be depending on the situation at the destination point and affordability in the changed personal financial situation. In all, luggage as a category can stay packed up for a while much longer than others. The only good news, perhaps is to find out alternative uses and life for luggage and bags, especially when the owner does not travel.”
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