Real Experience Vandae Bharat Flight

We are providing a first-hand experience of a person, who just returned from New York on Vandae Bharat flight.

Just arrived at Mumbai.

Applied for evacuation knowing I had a slim chance.

Preference is given to Senior Citizens (65+), pregnant mothers & family & children below 10 and family.

My name cropped up.

There was chaos at EWR (Newark/NJ) as many had cancelled or No-show.

Why?

Upon arrival 14 days mandated Institutional Quarantine at our cost. Possibly.

EWR airport authorities are a mess.

ZERO assistance.

So our Air India folks were running from pillar to post. Indian Consulate NY were present in full force. Talking to us, calming us down ... as were AI folks.

As for EWR guys? MISSING!!

Boarded to find 2 x meals + basic PPE on my seat. We were told it is mandatory & if "we could please cooperate". Most did not!!

14hr flight later arrives at Mumbai.

Clockwork precision. Delay due to social distancing only. BMC present & each person is tracked thru Name, home address, Aircraft seat #.

Mandatory 14 days Institutional Quarantine in hotels who volunteered. Great prices.

Chose Rennaisance, Powai. Across the lake from home. 4k all inclusive!! Whaat??

I had to fill 8 easy forms. Some forms needed Photocopy as is wont in India, but there are copy machines (big ones) doing it in seconds.

Select the city in Maharashtra & there is a queue. Moves fast. Hotel done, BMC steps in and arranges for transport. Free of cost.

Any smoke break? NOPE!!

They ensure you are on the bus to the hotel. The hotel confirms names to BMC.

Check-in takes as long as it takes checking in 3 at a time.

Settled in. Happy to be home.

Honestly? I doubt any other country has the intent or the capacity to do what Modi's India is doing. Yes. Modi's India.

Blessed.

We thank Indian govt for fantastic arrangements and the other world countries can learn from us in this hour of crisis.

Just remember that the Lockdown is a rehab for society to break its addiction to unnecessary commuting for unnecessary meetings and you can get your all trade tips today or tomorrow requirmeent met here and no need to visit any office.