Maninder Pal Singh Virk could not thank his stars enough when he was checking in for the first special flight to India earlier today, after the Narendra Modi government imposed a blanket ban on all inbound international flights on March 22.
Highlights:
- First repatriation flights with 224 Indian nationals leave Sydney for New Delhi
- Six more repatriation flights are scheduled from Australia
- Nearly 1600 Indian nationals are expected to be ferried home in these special Air India flights
The 31-year-old businessman from Delhi had arrived in Sydney on March 10 to surprise his sister who had just delivered her first baby. Mr Singh had planned to leave within a week of his arrival along with his mother, but the swift border closure scuppered his travel plans.
“I came here for a week but have been stuck here for nearly two months," he said.
"I am grateful that we were staying at my sister’s place, but there is no place like home. It’s a huge relief and I can’t believe we are finally getting to go back home.”
Maninder Pal Singh Virk (L) with his family outside Sydney airport. Source: Supplied
All passengers were subjected to temperature screening and were asked to fill in statutory declarations.
“They checked our passports to ensure only Indian passport holders were flying. We also had a medical screening and were asked to fill two forms before checking in,” he said.
'Beginning of the end'
The Madan family, who had been stranded in Melbourne, also breathed a sigh of relief as they stood in the boarding queue along with hundreds of other passengers, minutes before the flight took-off.
Nipun Madan who spent upwards of $6,000 on tickets for his family of four, said while the cost has been huge, he is grateful that this would mark the beginning of the end of their two-month-long ordeal.
“I am overwhelmed that we are finally going to get home after days of anxiety, stress and uncertainty. I am sure that all those families who have been stuck here on visitor visas would understand what we are feeling right now,” said the Delhi-based businessman.
Nipun Madan with his wife and children ahead of boarding the flight at Sydney aiport. Source: Supplied
However, he added that their problems remain far from over.
“Now the next big challenge is going to be the 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine upon landing in India.
"It is going to be extremely difficult for families who have got kids. How do you explain to a five-year-old that she would have to stay locked inside a room for two full weeks,” he said.
Nearly 1,600 Indian nationals with the most compelling circumstances are expected to fly home as part of phase 1 of the evacuation process from Australia, beginning today.
Six more flights being operated by the country's national carrier, Air India, are scheduled to fly out from Sydney and Melbourne between May 22 and May 28.
Raj Kumar, the Consul General of India in Melbourne had earlier told SBS Punjabi that nearly 6,000 Indians have registered their interest to go home from Melbourne alone, a group comprising tourists, international students and temporary work visa holders.
Passengers seated in the waiting area at Sydney airport. Source: Supplied
'Home is where the heart is'
Navkiran Singh Sandhu, a state government employee from the northern Indian state of Punjab, who is flying out in the second repatriation flight scheduled to operate between Melbourne and Amritsar on Friday, said he cannot wait to be reunited with his wife and son.
“I came to visit my brother in Melbourne in February. While my family went back, I was left behind as I had planned to stay a bit longer. Now its been nearly three months since I have been stranded here,” said the 37-year-old.
He added that while spending 14 days in quarantine is going to be yet another challenge, he's relieved that he would be at home.
Navkiran Singh Sandhu with his family in Melbourne. Source: Supplied
“Home is where the heart is and never before have I fully understood the meaning of those words as well as I do today. And even though I will have to spend two weeks in quarantine, I will happily stay locked as I would get to see my family at the end of those 14 days,” said Mr Sandhu.
Nearly 30,000 Indians are expected to make their way home from 31 countries as part of the Indian government's second phase of evacuation.
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