the goan I network
MARGAO
Seafarers and their families heaved a sigh of relief over the government’s decision to open the ports for the disembarkation of the beleaguered seafarers onboard Karnika and Marella Discovery at the Mumbai port, but their bigger question remains “ when will the government bring the thousands of seamen stranded at ports across the world?
The government decision rang in good news for all those who have taken up cudgels for the seafarers, right from the Goan Seamen Association of India to Gina Pereira, who had staged a hunger strike near the Chief Minister’s residence. All have now made one plea to the government “ please open the airports and get the seafarers stranded onboard ships right from USA to Europe and other countries.
GSIA President Frank Viegas said though the MHA decision ought to have come long ago, it has nevertheless brought relief to the stranded seafarers in India.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ayush Minister Shripad Naik, CM Pramod Sawant, NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar, Union Ministers, Frank said now more efforts have to be made to get all the seafarers stranded abroad.
“These seafarers need attention and assistance. Some of them are in hospitals. The government through the embassies should reach out to them,” Frank said, while making a plea to the government to open charter flights to Goa.
Capt Venzy Viegas said the MHA order was required since Marella Discovery was scheduled to sail on Wednesday to Europe, adding that the protest and the pleas by the seafarers forced the government to issue the order last night.
Capt Venzy, however, demanded to know how many hours or how many protests the government would require to get all the seafarers back. “What will the government need to open the airports? This question is for the government to answer,” he said. The MHA order was a small step, but a bigger step needs to be taken by the government, he added.
GSAI founder president Dixon Vaz said the order has come at the right time. “The CM took the names of people who raised the issue. But there were many others who had showed their solidarity with the seafarers and their families. Political leaders, including those from the opposition, also helped sent the SOS to the Centre,” Dixon added.
