Repatriation of mortal remains eases due to Telugu NRI’s efforts

Hyderabad

The caller directive by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) allowing proscription of quality remains to India adjacent erstwhile the deceased person’s archetypal passport is unavailable, is being seen arsenic a breakthrough for families facing this contented from a overseas soil.

Mohan Nannapaneni, a Telugu entrepreneur successful the United States, who has been advocating this for respective years done his TEAM Aid, sees this determination arsenic a immense alleviation to families successful India. “It was a nightmare and compounded the distress of bereaved households,” helium told The Hindu.

Mr. Nannapaneni, who has earlier worked arsenic the president of the Telugu Association of North America (TANA), founded TEAM Aid to code this important contented of sending backmost the mortal remains of Indians, overcoming the procedural delays that lasted for months sometimes.

“Having facilitated the repatriation of much than 3,000 mortal remains from assorted countries by the TEAM Aid I consciousness the changes successful Section 19 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025 is simply a important alleviation for grieving families, airlines, and consulates worldwide,” said Mr. Nannapaneni, who was instrumental successful ensuring that each Indian associations successful North America worked cohesively for the community.

As the TANA president, helium faced difficulties successful dealing with specified unfortunate situations. With immoderate volunteers successful each authorities of the USA, helium started the TEAM Aid that did a commendable occupation of sending backmost mortal remains, raising funds and addressing the stringent norms.

“We realised that the norms of the Immigration and Foreigners Act could beryllium relaxed to supply alleviation to the unfortunate families who were already pained and shattered by the nonaccomplishment of their beloved ones,” helium said, recalling galore cases wherever the lack of a passport led to delays oregon refusals by airlines.

The TEAM Aid flagged the issue, with the ministry acrophobic and besides the embassies, isolated from assemblage leaders similar Jaipur Foot USA Chairman Prem Bhandari. Mr. Nannapaneni thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for responding positively and acting with compassion.

The MHA modified definite norms stating that quality remains are classified arsenic cargo, not passengers, nether Section 19 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025. So, nary migration clearance is required to transport quality remains.

Now, Airlines cannot importune connected the archetypal passport of the deceased erstwhile an Indian Mission issues a No Objection Certificate (NOC), and they whitethorn contiguous the NOC and indispensable details of the deceased to migration authorities upon arrival. Absence of the passport does not represent immoderate ineligible violation.