“The colour of one’s passports may be different but there is nothing stronger than the bond of humanity” – this is what PM Narendra Modi has said repeatedly and turned into reality whenever any tragedy has struck.
When the conflict in Yemen reached its peak there were people of several nations stuck on the conflict zone. The Government of India left no stone unturned to rescue people, not only Indian but of several Nations. Several Nations sought India’s assistance in rescue operations and the scale and speed at which India’s rescue operations was unprecedented and highly impactful.
India’s swift and extensive response was monitored at the highest levels. External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj was constantly monitoring the situation. Minister of State for External Affairs Shri VK Singh went to Yemen and Djibouti, personally spearheading the operations.
When Nepal was struck by a disastrous Earthquake on the morning of 25th April 2015 India did everything possible to share the pains of the sisters and brothers of Nepal. The Indian Armed Forces, disaster management teams and topmost officials were on the spot to help in return of normalcy. The Prime Minister himself chaired high-level meetings to monitor the situation. At the same time, India did everything possible to rescue people from quake-affected Nepal, both Indian and foreign Nationals.
These efforts were appreciated at the world stage. When Shri Modi met world leaders be it French President Hollande, PM Harper they lauded India’s efforts in relief and rescue operations. Israel’s PM Netanyahu lauded India’s efforts in a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister.Mr. Richard Verma, the USA Ambassador to India too praised the role of India.
In February 2015 Father Alexis Prem Kumar returned home after a long period of eight months in captivity in Afghanistan. Father was an aid worker devoted to doing his work but inhuman elements had other plans. He was abducted but for months there was an impasse over his release. Finally, the Government succeeded in bringing Father home and reuniting him with his family. The family was ecstatic and thanked the Central Government and the Prime Minister for the release.
Similarly, Indian nurses who have been stranded in various parts of the Middle East have been rescued by the Government. None other than Shri Oommen Chandy, the Kerala Chief Minister thanked the Centre for the Centre’s efforts to bring nurses back from Iraq.
This is how the Centre has time and again showed when in times of crisis, the bond of humanity matters much more than the colour of one’s passport.
