Op Raahat : The Great Indian Rescue (Pictures and News)

[SwamyG]

[SwamyG]

ANI ‏@ANI_news 1h1 hour ago
We really appreciate this a lot: British national evacuated from Yemen by Air India #YemenEvacuation

ANI @ANI_news · 1h 1 hour ago
Everything was so easy for me even though I am a Yemeni, want to thank the Indian Govt: Sana, evacuated from Yemen

ANI @ANI_news · 1h 1 hour ago
Appreciate this a lot, cant thank Indian Govt enough to get us out of Yemen: Northern Ireland national evacuated

ANI @ANI_news · 1h 1 hour ago
Indian Govt saved our life, we will remember this through our life: Bangladeshi national evacuated from Yemen

ANI @ANI_news · 1h 1 hour ago
Air India did a fantastic job: Bangladeshi national evacuated from Yemen

[Hitesh]

Video from BBC showing Indian warship arriving in Djibouti with evacuees.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32199036

[chanakyaa]

No one should be charged for the evacuation.

Its civil operation.

There should be some way to bill the evacuees for their share of the cost.

What is the practice or policy of US in this regard when they evacuate their citizens from world's trouble spots? Any idea or pointers in this regard?/

Sorry guys for taking out my calculator. Why phokat-ki service?? Odds are that none of those who returned from paid any taxes on their earnings to GoI while making a living in Yey-man. GoI definitely loves remittance of its citizens to their family members, but it still not a tax. US citizens don't get overseas services for free. They need to pay their taxes on time, every year, regardless where they stay, including social security tax. Tax forms are available at all local consulates. At least ask for some donation at time of disembarkation.

[schinnas]

/\
Some OT: US nationals working as expats need to file US tax returns - but there is no double taxation. Meaning if they have already paid tax in the local country and if that tax rate matches or exceeds US federal tax rate, they dont need to pay US govt a dime. Even if the tax rate of the local country is much lower than that of US (ex: Singapore) one gets a very large amount of deduction. It is just a way for IRS and US Gov to keep tab on earnings of all its citizens.

While Raahat might be one of the flawlessly executed rescue operations by India in recent times, the largest rescue operation was in 1990 when India evacuated 110,000 (yes well over a lakh!) of its expats in Kuwait and Iraq in under 2 months using Air India. India had the goodwill of Saddam for it to effect that without undue risk. Air India flew about 490 or so sorties in 59 days if I remember right. It is probably the largest air based evacuation by any country so far.

http://scroll.in/article/717831/The-Yem ... in-history

[Kashi]

I do wonder if many of the Indians living in Yemen chose not to evacuate despite numerous warnings because they fully expected the Indian government to evacuate them and thus, they would end up saving the expenses of the return trip home (it could be a substantial amount for families of 4 or more).

If the operation had not gone so smoothly, surely their goose would have been cooked.

[Shreeman]

Let me see if I understand this: Indian MEN are being allowed to "e-vacuate" German WIMMENS?

Dont be silly. German men are dressing as wimmens so the Indians would jump at the chance.

[deejay]

Here's another CNN report on India's rescue effort, though a small part appeared common with the previously posted report.

http://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/201 ... -in-yemen/

Also, features, cockpit shots of landing and interview with one passenger.

Great work AI, operating from War Zone where no one else dares. I know a lot of AI pilots are retired mil pilots but there are quite a few pure civilians and add to that Air Hostesses and Flight Pursers are definitely pure Civilians. Great Work. RESPECT!!!

[chaanakya]

Sorry guys for taking out my calculator. Why phokat-ki service?? Odds are that none of those who returned from paid any taxes on their earnings to GoI while making a living in Yey-man. GoI definitely loves remittance of its citizens to their family members, but it still not a tax. US citizens don't get overseas services for free. They need to pay their taxes on time, every year, regardless where they stay, including social security tax. Tax forms are available at all local consulates. At least ask for some donation at time of disembarkation.

There is no "phokat ki service". All monies that go into building such level of expertise and equipment and skilled manpower is funded by Indian citizens.

It is myth that Indians don't pay taxes. When you talk of taxes you think only Income tax. Whereas larger component of taxes are from other categories such as excise, salestax, customs, corporate taxes, service taxes and all this gets build up in the pricing for goods and services and that includes clothes , soaps, salts and groceries etc..... Now whoever buys in India or uses transport or pays for anything he pays taxes.

And if Govt of the day has deemed it fit not to charge anything I say kudos to them. Citizens should feel safe in the thought that their Govt cares for them , even when abroad, and would come to rescue no matter what.

I hope to see some Navy seal type operations to rescue some stranded Indians or captured ones. that would take message to the world at another level.

Rescuing citizens from other countries with or without request is a practice worth following.

[kmkraoind]

And if Govt of the day has deemed it fit not to charge anything I say kudos to them. Citizens should feel safe in the thought that their Govt cares for them , even when abroad, and would come to rescue no matter what.

But citizens in these countries should also own some responsibility. Since Yeman has less evacuees (5K) its okay, but what happens if KSA starts imploding, can India safely evacuate all lakhs of population. Definitely, there will be deaths, then blame fells upon Govt, so talking tough and talking some harsh measures if perfectly justifiable, so that when future warnings are issued, Indians in those countries should take them seriously, rather than waiting still last time.

West wants to maintain equilibrium between Arabs-Persia-Ottomons, so that none of them become too big for them. Since Arabs/Sunnis are getting bigger, US pretty quickly moved to make mends with Iran. The KSA integrity depends upon ISIS success. The more ISIS become successful, there are more chances of KSA imploding as well as big realignment in Middle East. In that situation, can India evacuate millions of Indians from battle zones safely, so GoI at least talk tough.

1. As many job prospects are paying Visa charges, it would be wise for govt to charge some insurance money from persons who are going to Middle East.
2. Threaten that if any persons who fails to adhere to red lines, their passports will be block listed for 5 years and tell them that they will impose penalty charges.
3. If needed, since Govt has all details of Indians working in Gulf, give some travel subsidy to laborers of Gulf countries.
4. It will be nicer if GoI sends a part of the bill to Gulf nation once dust settles, if they do not agree to pay, then tell politely that we will not send our workers. Since these Gulf nations trusts Indians more than any rabid Paki/Bangladeshis nation. Only Lankans and Philippinos can beat us.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lastly, one unrelated advice: Has Indian Govt ever bothered to check how these Indians sending their money, has they keep tracking of it. Make sure they send their money only through recognized official channels, not through hawala (cut Dawood et al influence). Like, if a worker earns 50K, if he is sending every month some 20-30K, keep an eye how they send that money back to India. Concurrently, reduce currency margin that has been retained as fees. At present, it is somewhere between 4-8% and many prefer Hawala routes to send money. Cut that rate to 0.5-1%.

[Singha]

The ddg has 8 urans in a single cluster. Originally two packs of 4 each side.

And ppl beat me up when I said saryu class can have urans

[pankajs]

[pankajs]

[rsingh]

And if Govt of the day has deemed it fit not to charge anything I say kudos to them. Citizens should feel safe in the thought that their Govt cares for them , even when abroad, and would come to rescue no matter what.

But citizens in these countries should also own some responsibility. Since Yeman has less evacuees (5K) its okay, but what happens if KSA starts imploding, can India safely evacuate all lakhs of population. Definitely, there will be deaths, then blame fells upon Govt, so talking tough and talking some harsh measures if perfectly justifiable, so that when future warnings are issued, Indians in those countries should take them seriously, rather than waiting still last time.

West wants to maintain equilibrium between Arabs-Persia-Ottomons, so that none of them become too big for them. Since Arabs/Sunnis are getting bigger, US pretty quickly moved to make mends with Iran. The KSA integrity depends upon ISIS success. The more ISIS become successful, there are more chances of KSA imploding as well as big realignment in Middle East. In that situation, can India evacuate millions of Indians from battle zones safely, so GoI at least talk tough.

1. As many job prospects are paying Visa charges, it would be wise for govt to charge some insurance money from persons who are going to Middle East.
2. Threaten that if any persons who fails to adhere to red lines, their passports will be block listed for 5 years and tell them that they will impose penalty charges.
3. If needed, since Govt has all details of Indians working in Gulf, give some travel subsidy to laborers of Gulf countries.
4. It will be nicer if GoI sends a part of the bill to Gulf nation once dust settles, if they do not agree to pay, then tell politely that we will not send our workers. Since these Gulf nations trusts Indians more than any rabid Paki/Bangladeshis nation. Only Lankans and Philippinos can beat us.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lastly, one unrelated advice: Has Indian Govt ever bothered to check how these Indians sending their money, has they keep tracking of it. Make sure they send their money only through recognized official channels, not through hawala (cut Dawood et al influence). Like, if a worker earns 50K, if he is sending every month some 20-30K, keep an eye how they send that money back to India. Concurrently, reduce currency margin that has been retained as fees. At present, it is somewhere between 4-8% and many prefer Hawala routes to send money. Cut that rate to 0.5-1%.

There are rights and duties. GOI gives you passport. Passport asks foreign countries unhindered passage for the bearer. It is not a joke. In yemen GOI is showing value of blue passport. It is reciprocal. During war situation GOI has right to oblige Indians fight for India.

[KLNMurthy]

Older video. Evacuees giving full credit to Navy and Indian officials.

older Muslim lady from Hyderabad on video about SDRE military:

[navy and air force]looked after us like babies.

[KLNMurthy]

/\
Some OT: US nationals working as expats need to file US tax returns - but there is no double taxation. Meaning if they have already paid tax in the local country and if that tax rate matches or exceeds US federal tax rate, they dont need to pay US govt a dime. Even if the tax rate of the local country is much lower than that of US (ex: Singapore) one gets a very large amount of deduction. It is just a way for IRS and US Gov to keep tab on earnings of all its citizens.

While Raahat might be one of the flawlessly executed rescue operations by India in recent times, the largest rescue operation was in 1990 when India evacuated 110,000 (yes well over a lakh!) of its expats in Kuwait and Iraq in under 2 months using Air India. India had the goodwill of Saddam for it to effect that without undue risk. Air India flew about 490 or so sorties in 59 days if I remember right. It is probably the largest air based evacuation by any country so far.

http://scroll.in/article/717831/The-Yem ... in-history

Yes, Gujral was PM at the time IIRC and the rescue (which went very well) had an impact on the budget at a difficult time.

[chaanakya]

And if Govt of the day has deemed it fit not to charge anything I say kudos to them. Citizens should feel safe in the thought that their Govt cares for them , even when abroad, and would come to rescue no matter what.

But citizens in these countries should also own some responsibility. Since Yeman has less evacuees (5K) its okay, but what happens if KSA starts imploding, can India safely evacuate all lakhs of population. Definitely, there will be deaths, then blame fells upon Govt, so talking tough and talking some harsh measures if perfectly justifiable, so that when future warnings are issued, Indians in those countries should take them seriously, rather than waiting still last time.

West wants to maintain equilibrium between Arabs-Persia-Ottomons, so that none of them become too big for them. Since Arabs/Sunnis are getting bigger, US pretty quickly moved to make mends with Iran. The KSA integrity depends upon ISIS success. The more ISIS become successful, there are more chances of KSA imploding as well as big realignment in Middle East. In that situation, can India evacuate millions of Indians from battle zones safely, so GoI at least talk tough.

1. As many job prospects are paying Visa charges, it would be wise for govt to charge some insurance money from persons who are going to Middle East.
2. Threaten that if any persons who fails to adhere to red lines, their passports will be block listed for 5 years and tell them that they will impose penalty charges.
3. If needed, since Govt has all details of Indians working in Gulf, give some travel subsidy to laborers of Gulf countries.
4. It will be nicer if GoI sends a part of the bill to Gulf nation once dust settles, if they do not agree to pay, then tell politely that we will not send our workers. Since these Gulf nations trusts Indians more than any rabid Paki/Bangladeshis nation. Only Lankans and Philippinos can beat us.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lastly, one unrelated advice: Has Indian Govt ever bothered to check how these Indians sending their money, has they keep tracking of it. Make sure they send their money only through recognized official channels, not through hawala (cut Dawood et al influence). Like, if a worker earns 50K, if he is sending every month some 20-30K, keep an eye how they send that money back to India. Concurrently, reduce currency margin that has been retained as fees. At present, it is somewhere between 4-8% and many prefer Hawala routes to send money. Cut that rate to 0.5-1%.

The demographic mix of Indians who go to these countries are different than those who go to USA/UK. Earning money for change in economic status from bottom to a level or two upward is the basic aim. Many of them are skilled but semi literate. So to expect them to react to each caution , if it reaches them al all, is not advisable. GOI should be ready to do its bidding in any eventuality if its citizens are at risk abroad.

1. Insurance is good idea but it is costly business and companies may not come forward.
2. Threatening one's own citizen is not a good idea.
3. Most of them travel by AI which is subsidised. But you have not clarified why it is needed. Is it on return leg in case of evacuation? if so it is 100% subsidised. Else let them pay. they are not asking for it..
4. I am not sure if that is possible unless we want to place our soldiers on their soil in a war not involving us and not on UN charter.

AFAIK all legitimately earned mony come through official channel. Hawala is for illegal transfer and it is not because of higher rates. I think no rate is charged for remittances. But NRI members may know better.

[arshyam]

KLNM and kmkraoind saars, you do have a point, but this is not the right time to raise the issue in public, especially by GoI. Will give another stick to beat them with it. And no one from GoI has said anything about this. But worth a discussion on BRF at least, so thanks for bringing it up.

If we have to evacuate from KSA, the operation will become more complex due to larger number of people spread over a larger territory. There may be more downside to our forces when conducting such ops. And what about non-ME countries? We may need to do the same from Europe/US also some day, at least in theory. Even more complex plans need to be drawn up.

While I like the idea of risk insurance when travelling to certain places, rest assured our polity will never allow us to mandate such things when going to certain countries, like KSA. Too much votebank politics will cloud the reasons for introducing such policies. Also, who decides which countries require insurance and which don't? What GoI can (and should do) is to mandate *all* travellers to either sign up for risk insurance, or declare that they opt out and will not seek GoI compensation later - this can be checked at disembarkation. Also make them declare in their emigration form that they know where to get MEA travel advisories from, and will try to heed them to the best effort, or something to that effect. Everyone should be given an informational flyer when stepping out of the country. This will firstly make people aware of such a facility being offerred by the MEA. No one I know (in the US at least) checks the local consular notices, let alone inform the MEA of their current residence. This needs to improve. Secondly, once aware of it, people might at least check it periodically. Third, the email address they ask of us when embarking should be used to send us periodic updates and every travel advisory. This is currently missing.

As for the insurance, it will kick in when such people have to flee back home in straitened circumstances, and will save the GoI from giving any compensation for lost livelihood, etc. Given our proclivity to ask the govt to something for everything, I am some people will demand such compensation from the govt., and some states like KL, with a heavy expat population in the ME, will be forced to consider it seriously. Maybe KL folks might be able to tell if such demands were made earlier. This insurance is a hedge by the govt in spending its own money for such things, and also makes people responsible for their own decisions. We cannot expect our govt to come in and rescue us from any corner of the earth, without us applying our mind first to the risks involved in going there in the first place. The insurance, and the associated premiums will at least make me think about it first.

Lastly, we must never ever send a bill to those rescued by our forces. While I agree that our forces are taking a risk, the goodwill will quickly disappear when people reach home and find a bill waiting for them, on top of whatever losses they may have absorbed. Which is why the insurance may be a better option, so they can claim some compensation based on their own risk assessment and restart life afresh, and let GoI focus on what it does best, like Op Raahat.

[Edited attribution again.]

[chaanakya]

Yes, Gujral was PM at the time IIRC and the rescue (which went very well) had an impact on the budget at a difficult time.

US runs hugely deficit budget on account of protecting its "interest" abroad. and makes moolah in return.

[RamaY]

India as a nation is immensely benefited by the expat money from Middle East. It is a different matter if GoI can do better helping our expats. That is OT for this topic.

But it is duty of the GoI to safe guard its citizens wherever they are. These civic evacuation is part of running the Govt cost.

[chaanakya]

That way only Indians , be it poor or rich, educated professionals or illiterate labourers, would be respected abroad. When others know that might of GOI is behind their citizens. As resident Indian I fully support what NaMo Govt is doing and I hope that future govts keep doing in similar manner.

[Singha]

Same here. Helping our people from a tough spot is a duty of all govts.

[kmkraoind]

I fully support govt intervention, but what happens when evacuees are in lakhs and battle zone. We have seen hardship in Iraq, imagine x50-100 of that. I want a mechanism where loss of human life is less.

[Singha]

That's where having heavy airlift and lhd ships come in. We need act our size and get some big sticks or lose face.

[chaanakya]

I fully support govt intervention, but what happens when evacuees are in lakhs and battle zone. We have seen hardship in Iraq, imagine x50-100 of that. I want a mechanism where loss of human life is less.

In that case I would like our Aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and submarines along with merchant vessels stationed 50 -75 Km near shore of the evacuation point ready with cruise missiles and LCAs. be ready to put foot soldiers on the ground if needed. And do some heavy lifting to nearby safe places or transit point from where Indian can be evacuated easily. That also means keeping tab on the situation and NRIS be posted with latest information and asked to move to safer places to be ready to evacuate. It should come with time and patience. Not that we want war with anyone other than Pakis and Chipandas.

[Suraj]

Short of something on the scale of the Berlin Airlift, nothing can be done quickly about lakhs of people in KSA. At the very least, we would need arrangements in place to ship them to a stable neighbouring country or countries quickly, and then use aircraft, carriers and LHDs to evacuate them from there. The first task would be to get people into a stable place. We cannot redo Yemen on that scale; operating in a no fly zone at the risk of being shot, through a careful agreement with the Saudis and Houthis to let us through.

This evacuation, and the one of Iraq/ISIS before that, has demonstrated GoI's skill at foreign policy. The next time someone caterwauls about 'Modi is busy touring' they should be pointed to the thousands who were evacuated because we were able to negotiate access to the citizenry of 30 countries, not just ours. It's quite telling that the US embassy itself displays "if you want to get out safe, go to the Indian embassy and ask for XYZ. Carry your passport. Kthxbai". Massa supapawa onlee.

[fanne]

Goodwill goes a long way than force. Not putting your nose where it does not belong is what has helped us. Lets keep it that way. Why force when simple understanding can get the job done. Let the next door tfta do that and get marked in one more ME country.

[chaanakya]

Goodwill goes a long way than force. Not putting your nose where it does not belong is what has helped us. Lets keep it that way. Why force when simple understanding can get the job done. Let the next door tfta do that and get marked in one more ME country.

you can not have any goodwill with ISIS or houthis or boko haram.

[fanne]

Agree with first and last, why the second? T

[chaanakya]

Oh I was writing Al keeda and absently wrote houthis. Houthis are one of the warring faction in yemen. Shias. probably that's why KSA is bombing them out. Not succeeding so far as it seems.

[RamaY]

I fully support govt intervention, but what happens when evacuees are in lakhs and battle zone. We have seen hardship in Iraq, imagine x50-100 of that. I want a mechanism where loss of human life is less.

I think it will be a contextual strategy.

If our interests are only people we have to bring them back, no matter the number. We need to build the wherewithal to the size of our immigrant population.

If our interests are beyond people, the same wherewithal will/can be used to enforce our interests.

13 August to 11 October 1990 – Air India entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the most people evacuated by a civil airliner. Over 111,000 people were evacuated from Amman to Mumbai – a distance of 4,117 km, by operating 488 flights in association with Indian Airlines, from 13 August to 11 October 1990 – lasting 59 days. The operation was carried out during Persian Gulf War in 1990 to evacuate Indian expatriates from Kuwait and Iraq.

[kmkraoind]

In that case I would like our Aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and submarines along with merchant vessels stationed 50 -75 Km near shore of the evacuation point ready with cruise missiles and LCAs. be ready to put foot soldiers on the ground if needed. And do some heavy lifting to nearby safe places or transit point from where Indian can be evacuated easily. That also means keeping tab on the situation and NRIS be posted with latest information and asked to move to safer places to be ready to evacuate. It should come with time and patience. Not that we want war with anyone other than Pakis and Chipandas.

For me Iraq/ISIS rescue missions is more successful than Yeman (I am not denigrating success in Yeman in anyway). Modi govt was just in months and they had successfully negotiated (carrots and sticks) with rabid ISIS and secured most of Indians. Even now, all Arab countries and Iran has soft corner and respect for Indians, but evacuating lakhs who are dispersed in vast areas will tests our logistics. If KSA falls, all middle east will turn as one big boiling pot. Narrow Red sea or Gulf of Persia does not offer a buffer zone of 50-75 kms or some secure zones to evacuate.

My mind says, let there a Sunni-Shia war, but when I think of our 1-2 million Indians who are spread in whole ME, my heart is weeping. If there is a Sunni-Shia confabulation, I still think that there will be a window of 10-30 days, so that global nations can evacuate their populace. Judging by ISIS behavior in Iraq, I positively think India will get a favorable time window.

Except LHDs and Cruise ships, current gen naval/civilians ships are not suited for lakhs of evacuation. Only a group of 200+ civilian flights with 2-3 trips per day can evacuate lakhs in 15-30 days.

I just want GoI to prepare all types of contingencies and educate Indian citizens about respecting future notices. In the world of smart phones and SMSs, spreading message through masses is not problem, but asking them to adhere to some basic rules is problem.

[chaanakya]

We are essentially sayig same thing but with different words and perspectives. I agree with you. It is not the same thing. Evacuation is as much a test of our politics, diplomacy, as it is of logistics etc. We have to build the capacity if we want to be seen as a power to reckon with. And yes citizens , who venture abroad , need to become aware of their responsibilities and risks as well. In all these money should be secondary consideration. Citizens first should be the policy and NaMo has demonstrated it.

[Rahul M]

this is getting OT folks. please stick to Op Rahaat related news ONLY.

[SwamyG]

US, France And Germany Dial India To Get Their Citizens Out Of Yemen: http://nationalyemen.com/2015/04/08/us- ... -of-yemen/


Sabah Shawesh @SabahShawesh
@SushmaSwaraj Finally safe in India. All thanks to @SushmaSwaraj and her incredible team. Jai Hind.

Sushma Swaraj @SushmaSwaraj
No need for thanks @SabahShawesh. It is our duty towards our country and countrymen. God bless your child - our young citizen.

[kmkraoind]

[SwamyG]

Courtesy: Hindustan Times.








Officials working









Al Hodeidah port.


Kerala nurses

[SwamyG]

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/ ... 29081.html

Now what is Operation 'Raahat'?

Operation 'Raahat' is the operation of the Indian army to evacuate the Indian citizens from Yemen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, deputed General V.K. Singh, the Minister of State and External Affairs and the former Chief of the Army Staff to Sana (Yemen) and Djibouti as the evacuees were taken from Yemen to Djibouti.

Operation 'Raahat' and how it was administered?
So far, over 1,00,000 people have been displaced from Yemen with help of countries like India, Pakistan and China. Operation 'Raahat' is the evacuation mission led by the Indian Army with the involvement of General V.K. Singh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, personally spoke to Salman biz Abdulaziz Al Saud, the King of Saudi Arabia to make a safe passage for the Indians during the evacuation. Prime Minister's Office has been monitoring the operation and the seamless co-operation between MEA, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Air India, shipping, railway and government officials, who have helped in the rescue work. General V.K. Singh flew to the ground zero for speed evacuation and has been camping in Djibuiti since March 31, 2015.

Moderators: Can you copy the text from this post, and place it in the first post of this dhaaga....above the 'wide photo' thanks much.

[chaanakya]

Sikularists must be cringing in their caves, NaMo seems rabid anti muslim. these photos are ample proof. Thanks SwamyG from starting this thread and posting photos here.

[kmkraoind]

Syed Akbaruddin ‏@MEAIndia
India's evacuation efforts from Yemen enter final phase - Happy faces all around in the Control Room at Djibouti.