The community remains hopeful that this summit will lead to a permanent solution to the ongoing problem of soaring airfares
Highlights/ India/ NRI/
Lakshmi Chhaya
A significant gathering is set to take place in New Delhi as Indian expatriates from the UAE prepare to host the ‘Diaspora Summit in Delhi’ on August 8. Organized by the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) Abu Dhabi, the summit aims to address the escalating issue of airfares, particularly during peak travel seasons.
Around 30 Indian expatriate organizations and community groups will join forces to bring this issue to the forefront. Senior Indian politicians and approximately 200 community members from the UAE are expected to participate. The event will also see collaboration with KMCC Delhi and various associations from Abu Dhabi.
The skyrocketing airfares to popular destinations, especially during New Year, school vacations, and festivals such as Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Onam, and Christmas, have become a significant concern for the expatriate community.
- Representatives from the various expatriate groups recently gathered at the Indian Islamic Centre in Abu Dhabi to officially announce the summit
- Kallungal emphasized the long-standing nature of this issue and the lack of positive response despite years of raising concerns
Shukoor Ali Kallungal, president of KMCC Abu Dhabi, highlighted that blue-collar workers are the most affected by these price surges, which often leave a substantial dent in their finances.
Key issues to be addressed at the summit include the massive cancellation of flights, irregular services by Air India Express, and the potential for more international airlines to operate from Abu Dhabi. The summit organizers are keen to involve Members of Parliament from Kerala in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, seeking their intervention and support to find a lasting solution.
Haris Beeran, a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha from the Indian Union Muslim League and president of KMCC Delhi, has been actively working to ensure the summit’s success. Recently, Beeran raised the issue of exorbitant airfares in the Rajya Sabha, hoping to attract the attention of the federal Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu.
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