Indian Embassy hosted a virtual open house focused on consular matters which was attended by large number of Indian expats online.
Ambassador Sri Sibi George and other senior officials attended the open house and answered various queries and concerns of Indian nationals who attended the open house.
“I do not see the open house as a grievance redressal mechanism alone. It is much more than that”, Ambassador said in his opening remarks.
“I continue my meetings and interaction with the authorities discussing ways and means to elevate our partnership with Kuwait on various fields. I also meet and discuss with them issues of concern and interest to our diaspora” Ambassador said.
During the open house, he asked community members to be careful about fraudulent calls impersonating Embassy officials to extract money. He also urged public to report such calls to the attention of the Embassy immediately.
“I am happy to note that we have been able to address the issue pertaining to Police Verification on reissuance of passports; very few cases now are in pre-verification category, meaning passports can be issued without waiting for police verification in India. However, please continue to submit your passports for renewal, two months before the expiry of residence permits,” Ambassador said.
First Secretary Sri Fahad Suri presented an over view of various activities held at the embassy last month. Dr. Vinod Gaikwad, First Secretary (Consular) made a presentation on consular Services.
In the month of December, embassy issued 6919 passports, 47 visa, 152 PCC and conducted 4467 attestations. Embassy received 350 labor complaints and 323 cases at MADAD platform, in which 211 were resolved. In 33 cases, embassy was able to retrieve the passports from sponsors, officials said during the open house.
In December, embassy registered 91 death of Indian nationals in Kuwait. Embassy provided medical assistance to 30 people during the period. Embassy provided 196 free air tickets to distressed Indian nationals during December, Mr Fahad Suri said. Embassy also distributed 1915 lunch packets to distressed Indian nationals visited embassy.
14,852 Indian nationals were repatriated to India during December on Vande Bharath flights and other charter flights.
Embassy is continuing its engagement with Kuwait Society of Engineers regarding the accreditation issues of Indian Engineers, Mr Fahad said.
Embassy will conduct open house every third Wednesday of the month at 3 pm. This year, embassy will conduct Republic Day celebrations virtually at 9 am on 26 January. Evening at 6 pm, a patriotic song concert will also be held virtually. All these will be live casted on Embassy social media pages.