Thiruvananthapuram: As the geopolitical storm continues to rage across the Middle East, NORKA Roots, the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs department of the Kerala Government, has delivered a reassuring update: Keralite citizens residing in both Iran and Israel are currently reported to be safe. This assessment comes despite ongoing missile exchanges and heightened tensions in both nations.
Ajith Kolassery, CEO of NORKA Roots, confirmed that direct contact with Malayalis in the affected regions has verified their safety following recent attacks. While the situation remains critical in urban centers like Tehran and Tel Aviv, continuous communication is being maintained.
Notably, a group of twelve MBBS students from Kerala enrolled at Kerman University of Medical Sciences in Iran, along with a business delegation, are actively in touch with NORKA. The students are reportedly secure within their dormitories, and their details have been relayed to the Indian Embassy in Tehran via the Ministry of External Affairs. The business group, meanwhile, has successfully relocated to a safer area with the assistance of local Iranian citizens.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy are actively coordinating efforts for the potential evacuation of Indian students and citizens from Iran, with Armenia emerging as a primary destination for overland transit. Similarly, NORKA has maintained close contact with Malayalis in Israel, including caregivers, paramedics, nurses, and students, who confirmed their safety following a recent missile incident and are utilizing designated bunkers attached to their residences.
In response to the escalating conflict, both the MEA and the Indian embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv have activated dedicated 24/7 help desks and control rooms. NORKA's own global contact center remains operational, urging all Indian nationals in the region to strictly adhere to advisories issued by the respective Indian embassies and to remain in safe locations if already there.
For anyone seeking assistance related to the situation in Iran and Israel, here are the vital contact points:
Should you or your loved ones require support amidst the ongoing developments in Iran and Israel, please utilize the following direct contact channels:
• Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Control Room:
Toll-Free Hotline: 1800118797
Direct Lines: +911123012113, +911123014104, +911123017905
WhatsApp: +919968291988
These contact details are your immediate resources for information and support during this critical time.