Indian Navy brings back 3,992 Indian citizens, completes Operation Samudra Setu; Read More-

NewsBharati    09-Jul-2020 09:22:47 AM
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New Delhi, July 09: The Indian Navy completed Operation Samudra Setu that was a part of the national effort to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Indian Naval Ships have evacuated 3,992 Indian citizens back to India and the operation lasting over 55 days and covering more than 23,000 kilometers by sea.
 
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The mission was launched on May 5 with INS Jalashwa (Landing Platform Dock), and Airavat, Shardul and Magar (Landing Ship Tanks) participating in this operation. The navy worked in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Home Affairs, health, and various other agencies of the government and State Governments.
  
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During the operations carried out, all the social distancing norms were followed to avoid any infection of the virus. "Ships used for the operation were specially provisioned and the Sick Bay or the clinic onboard was specially equipped with COVID-19 related equipment and facilities. Women Officers and military nursing staff were also embarked on women passengers. Basic amenities and medical facilities were provided to all evacuees during sea passage on these ships.
 
Indian Navy has previously undertaken similar evacuation operations as part of Operation Sukoon in 2006 (Beirut) and Operation Rahat in 2015 (Yemen).
 
The other initiatives carried out by the navy was not the only the evacuation of stranded citizens but also assisting the neighboring countries amid the pandemic. Whilst Jalashwa, Magar, Airavat, and Shardul were undertaking Op Samudra Setu, another Landing Ship (Tank) Kesari undertook ‘Mission SAGAR’, carrying 580 tonnes of food aid and medical stores including ayurvedic medicines to the Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros Islands, and Seychelles, covering over 14,000 km in 49 days. One medical team each was also deployed at Mauritius and Comoros Island as part of the mission.
 
Indian Naval IL-38 and Dornier aircraft have been used for ferrying of doctors and COVID-19 related material across the country. Indian Naval personnel also innovated various customized equipment such as Personnel Protection Equipment NavRakshak, hand-held temperature sensors, assisted respiratory system, 3-D printed face shield, portable multi-feed oxygen manifold, ventilators, air-evacuation stretcher pod, baggage disinfectants, etc. Most of these innovations were carried on board the ships undertaking Op Samudra Setu and niche equipment was also provided to host countries from where evacuation was undertaken.