IANS/Kannur
Wiser after the Nepal earthquake, when locating Keralites became difficult, the state government is planning to put in place a mechanism whereby residents can put up their details on the Roots-Norka website when going on vacation.
State Minister for Diaspora, K C Joseph, who returned from New Delhi after co-ordinating the evacuation of Keralites from Nepal, said there was currently no mechanism to track Keralites in case of an emergency.
“What we plan is in the interest of our people who travel outside the state and country on vacation. We would like them to register contact details of a relative or friend and travel itinerary on the Roots-Norka website. Full confidentiality will be maintained and the only aim is to help people in case of any emergency at the place they visit. Currently no one has a clue if a situation emerges outside the state and we have no knowledge if any Keralite requires assistance,” Joseph said.
The minister was speaking after visiting the home of Kerala doctor Deepak Thomas, who was killed in the Nepal earthquake.
Thomas and his classmate A S Ershad were killed while another friend, Ebin Soorya, is currently being treated at a Delhi hospital after he was airlifted from Nepal.
“At the next cabinet meeting, I will raise the issue of opening the website for registration purposes. This will benefit people who travel from the state and the Kerala authorities also can act quickly if an emergency arises,” added Joseph.
He disclosed that when in Delhi he had received numerous calls and all sought to know how many Keralites were present in Nepal.
He added that around 250 Keralites were evacuated from quake hit Nepal.
