Latest news with #NoRKA
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
NoRKA-Roots organises campaign to create awareness on various ID cards for expats from Kerala
The NoRKA-Roots, a field agency under the State government's Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NoRKA), will be organising a month-long special campaign from July 1 to 31, 2025 to create awareness on various ID cards and services provided to expatriate Keralites around the world. The campaign is aimed at creating awareness about services like Pravasi ID Card, Student ID Card, NRK ID Card and Norka Pravasi Raksha Insurance (NPRI), a health insurance scheme for critical illnesses. The campaign period can also be utilised to clear doubts for those who have taken ID cards and to renew the cards for those who have delayed renewal. The various ID cards are helpful for the government in locating expatriate Keralites around the world and intervening in times of need. Non-residents between the ages of 18 and 70 who are working or residing abroad for more than six months will get a Pravasi ID card and Norka Pravasi Raksha Insurance (NPRI) services. Those who have completed the admission procedures for studying abroad and those who are currently studying abroad will get a Student ID card. NRK ID card will be available to NRIs who have been living or working in other States of India for two years. The ID cards are valid for three years and Norka Pravasi Raksha Insurance for one year. Insurance cover of ₹5 lakh for accidental death and ₹2 lakh for disabilities will be provided. Norka Pravasi ID card can be used as one of the sponsor's identity documents for admission to NRI seats. Applications for all the ID cards and services can be made through the official website of Norka Roots For more information, Norka Roots ID Card Section can be contacted at 0471-2770543,528 (during office hours on working days) or the 24-hour Norka Global Contact Centre at toll-free numbers 1800 425 3939 (from India) and +91-8802 012 345 (from abroad, missed call service).
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala student returns in special flight from Iran
Fadila Kachakkaran, a Malayali student pursuing her second-semester MBBS programme at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, June 21, 2025, on a special flight arranged as part of the Union government's 'Operation Sindhu' to evacuate Indian nationals from the conflict-affected regions of Iran and Israel. She was part of the special flight carrying Indian nationals that reached Delhi airport around 5 p.m., said a communication issued by the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NoRKA). A native of Mudikode in Malappuram, she was expected to reach Kochi airport from Delhi around 11.50 p.m. by an IndiGo flight, it added. Muhammed Kachakkaran, her father, who is a civil engineer in Saudi Arabia, had reached Delhi to receive her. She had gone to Tehran in September 2024 to pursue the MBBS programme, the communication said. A special team formed to help people caught in conflict zones return home safely as per the directive of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been coordinating the evacuation operations. The team is led by Chetan Kumar Meena, Additional Resident Commissioner at Kerala House, New Delhi, according to the communication. Mr. Vijayan had earlier instructed him to ensure necessary facilities for returning Keralites. Accommodation will be provided at Kerala House for Keralites arriving in Delhi. They will be sent to the State as soon as flights are available. The Chief Minister had earlier said that Malayalis wishing to return to the State should register their names through the NoRKA Global Contact Centre helpline: 1800 425 3939 (toll-free) or +91 88020 12345 (for international missed calls).
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Indian Pravasi Movement proposes three projects for imprisoned expatriates
The Indian Pravasi Movement (IPM) has appealed to the Department of Non-Resident Keralites (NoRKA) and the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights to consider three humanitarian schemes — Raksha, Viraha, and Nyayasethu — which they have designed to address the plight of Indian expatriates imprisoned in various Gulf countries. 'The Raksha scheme we proposed aims to secure the early release of Indian expatriates in Gulf countries detained due to civil or commercial disputes. Viraha focuses on protecting and supporting the families and children of those imprisoned, many of whom are facing severe emotional and financial hardships,' said R.J. Sajith, president of IPM. According to him, the third proposal, Nyayasethu, seeks to establish a support system offering legal aid and judicial intervention for Indians caught in foreign legal complications, and to protect them from exploitation. The appeal was submitted through NoRKA Roots' Chief Executive Officer Ajith Kolasseri, with a specific request for immediate action and the backing of businessman M.A. Yusuff Ali. The IPM delegation also urged NoRKA to take moral and operational responsibility by extending transparent financial and logistical support to the proposed schemes. In a separate representation submitted to Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairman K.V. Manoj Kumar, IPM functionaries highlighted the urgent needs of children of imprisoned expatriates. They said that around 45 children were in dire need of support from the Child Rights panel.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Thousands participated in mega job fair in Thrissur
Thousands of job seekers thronged the job fair conducted under the Vijnana Keralam people's campaign in Thrissur on Saturday. Interviews were conducted for around 35,000 job opportunities across 577 different sectors, offered by 151 employers. These interviews were held in 140 classrooms at both the Government Engineering College and Vimala College. Out of respect for the passing of Pope Francis, all inaugural ceremonies were completely avoided. Even before the registration started at 8:30 a.m. at the Government Engineering College, the venue was filled with job seekers. In addition to on-site hiring, the event also featured a Virtual Job Fair, Apprenticeship Drive, and an Influencers' Meet. The State is ushering in a new chapter in developmental journey through Vijnana Keralam, a government initiative that seeks out job seekers instead of waiting for them to come forward, said Revenue Minister K. Rajan. He was speaking after visiting the mega job fair. 'Vijnan Thrissur (part of Vijnana Keralam) aims to provide employment opportunities aligned with the educational qualifications and interests of job aspirants. Various government agencies were brought together to provide technical assistance and skill training to prepare candidates for employment. The success of this mega job fair is a testament to the collective efforts of the government, employers, volunteers, and the public, modelled on People's participatory planning,' the Minister added. Minister K. Rajan interacted with candidates at the registration counters and interview centres, encouraging them with confidence. He also held discussions with various employers. In collaboration with NoRKA, overseas job opportunities will also be included in the Vijnan Thrissur job fairs. The goal is to ensure that all registered candidates receive job placements by the end of May, the Minister said. Vijnana Keralam aims to strengthen Kerala's knowledge economy through a people-centric planning model, said T.M. Thomas Isaac, advisor to the project. Speaking while coordinating the activities of the Mega Job Fair, he stressed the importance of public participation in this ambitious campaign. Mr. Isaac highlighted that the campaign seeks to unify all volunteers under the Vijnana Keralam umbrella to leverage government-supported infrastructure and skill development initiatives. It's a collaborative effort that integrates education, employment, and skill-building to empower the State's workforce and drive sustainable progress.
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
575 Keralites in Kashmir, says State govt.
A day after the terror strike at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead and several injured, the State government confirmed that as many as 575 Keralites are in Kashmir now, as per the registrations made in a help desk opened soon after the attack. The State government set up the help desk under the NoRKA-Roots, the field agency of the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NoRKA), to assist those who may be trapped in the area. In a Facebook post, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the State government had provided assistance to Keralites stranded in Kashmir within a short time of the attack. Steps have also been taken to provide travel and medical assistance, and food to those in need. Arrangements have also been made to provide assistance to those arriving in Delhi to get back home. Services, including ticket booking for onward travel, are also provided, he said. 'The terrorist attack in Pahalgam shocked the conscience of the people, and each and every one of us should stand united against such dastardly attacks and the hate propaganda that fuels them to ensure that another Pahalgam will not happen again,' he said in the facebook post.
