Solving problems in a click

Manama : Expatriates who are in need of Indian Embassy’s help here can now obtain it by tweeting to the embassy, which will also be monitored personally by Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. 

Indian Minster of State for External Affairs VK Singh, who is on an official visit to Bahrain, was addressing the community members here at an event organised by Bahrain India Society yesterday at InterContinental Regency Bahrain. 

“Pl tweet your problem to concerned Indian Embassy/authority and endorse the same to @sushmaswaraj. I monitor their response to your tweets,” Sushma Swaraj said in a statement earlier this month. Her efforts to ensure faster response to Indians seeking help from overseas missions has also earned her name ’Supermon of state’ from US daily Washington Post.  

Reflecting the move, VK Singh said that the embassy here is fully prepared to ensure speedy redressal of expat’s grievances via social media platforms. 

The minister said that the Indian government has successfully adopted a ‘new pattern’ ‘for the Indian embassies to become more responsive on social media sites. 

“For the last two-and-a-half-years the Indian government has been encouraging its departments to become more pro-active on social media to provide citizens speedy response,” the minister said. 

While encouraging expatriates here to do the same, the minister assured that “residents who share grievances online will receive timely, transparent and immediate response”.

Earlier, Sushma Swaraj has announced that the ministry has launched Twitter Seva, “an umbrella platform” of all External Affairs Ministery-affiliated Twitter handles. 

Endorsing the minister’s views and commenting on the efforts of the Indian Embassy in Bahrain, Chairman of Bahrain India Society, Mohammed Dadabhai said that the Embassy here is quick and efficient in solving the problems of the citizens.

“Recently 700 Indian labourers who were not paid by their employers were able to get their salary due to the timely intervention of the embassy,” Dadabhai said.

Indian residents of Bahrain can air their issues and grievances with Bahrain’s Indian Embassy on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IndiaInBahrain) and Twitter (@IndiaInBahrain). 

Joint efforts vital to boost economy

V K Singh yesterday commended the hard work of the Indian community members here in boosting Bahrain’s economy.  

“India’s ties with Bahrain has become stronger over the years for the Indian community here has the potential to exceed expectations,” the Minister said.

“Bahrain India Society has a huge task in terms of promoting business collaboration between the countries. It can help those who are already here,” he added. 

Non Resident Indians (NRI) play a huge part in the development of India, the Minister added. 

“When India is doing well, it is not only because of those residing in India, it is also because of those who work abroad,” he said.