Air India says crew who rescued stranded Indians 'ostracized'; Sonam, Richa & others react

nation come toger to cheer, clap and applaud all essential services workers, who are battling  COVID-19 pandemic. However, some of m have also been disrespecting some of warriors y praised. Air India recently shared how its crew, that travelled to various parts of world to evacuate stranded Indians, were being ostracized by residents and ‘vigilantes.’ 

READ: Air India Says Neighbours Ostracising, Calling Police On Crew Who Went Abroad

Air India in a statement on Monday shared how airline was ‘pulling out all stops’ to stand by nation amid COVID-19 scare by operating rescue flights to places like Wuhan, Japan, Milan and Rome. 

airline n stated that every protocol regarding safety of crew and passengers, like using hand sanitisers, gloves and masks, and having a Hazmat suit on flight, were followed. It added that se crew members were sent on home quarantine and designated hospitals for check-ups after ir return.  

Air India, however, said it was ‘alarming’ that crew was being ‘ostracized’ by ‘many localities, vigilante Resident Welfare Associations and neighbours’. It added that y were even being blocked from performing ir duty, with police also being called in some cases, only because y had travelled abroad. statement added that ‘vigilantes’ had forgotten  heroic efforts of crew in bringing numerous people safe from affected countries. 

READ: Special Air India Flight To Evacuate Indian Nationals From Coronavirus-hit Rome

“We would like to appeal to all concerned, particularly law enforcement ncies, to ensure that our crew are treated with courtesy, respect and freedom that every citizen of country deserves especially in light of fact of ir having undertaken flight duties to affected countries to bring Indian citizens,”  statement concluded. 

Celebrities of film industry expressed ir displeasure of treatment meted out to Air India crew. Sonam K Ahuja wondered what was ‘wrong with people’ while highlighting efforts of crew. 

READ: COVID-19: Air India Says 'insurmountable' Dip In Revenues, Issues Various Cost-cutting Measures

Riteish Deshmukh saluted crew, adding y deserve as much respect as Army, and that we had to be ‘better people.’ 

Richa Chadha also conveyed her gratitude to crew, while writing that ‘scared, unkind, thoughtless lot’ will perhaps understand it hard way when ir loved ones face similar situations. 

Atul Kasbekar wrote that one has to be proud of ‘brave men and women’ working for airline. 

Here are reactions: 

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