India’s Vande Bharat mission brings back over 67.5 lakh people

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India’s massive evacuation programme triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic has brought back over 67.5 Lakh people from abroad.</p>
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According to Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the numbers continue to grow. "It is not just a mission that brought back stranded & distressed citizens from around the world, but Vande Bharat has been a Mission of hope & happiness; of letting people know that they will not be left behind even in the most testing times," he tweeted.</p>
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India had commenced one of the world's largest evacuation operations from May 7, 2020 to bring back its stranded citizens from abroad.</p>
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Initially, Air India and its subsidiary Air India express played a key role in the operations. Afterwards, other air carriers were allowed to take part in the programme.</p>
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Besides, aerial evacuation, even naval ships were used to bring back Indian citizens.</p>
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