Indian high commission brings pop-up consular services to MoBay
Published:Saturday | January 30, 2021 | 12:21 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
For the first time in 30 years, Indians residing outside of Kingston have been able to access consular services without having to journey to the capital city.
In a programme dubbed ‘High Commission at Your Step’, India High Commissioner R. Masakui has brought pop-up-style consular service to citizens who have had difficulties accessing such as a result of COVID-19.
With Indians in Mandeville and Ocho Rios already accessing the service, last weekend, the commission pitched its ‘tent’ at the Blue Diamond Shopping Centre in Montego Bay, serving some 80 clients ranging from passport renewal and birth certificates to Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards, usually given to spouses.
The OCI is a lifelong visa for India, second secretary at the High Commission, Prathit Misra, told The Gleaner.
To be offered monthly
The venture has had so much success, consular camps will be offered each month in a different parish.
“Many people want to get their passports renewed, some of them have newborns that they need passports for. We are also getting the opportunity to compile a list of Indians and people of Indian origin living right across the island,” Misra said.
The second secretary said that, as part of their outreach, visits are made to the eldest members of the Indian community across the island, describing them as living links between India and Jamaica.
Montego Bay businessman Ramkumar Junagadala, who capitalised on the opportunity, lauded the new high commissioner for his zest and approach to serving the community.
Married to a Jamaican, Junagadala’s wife, Viviene, was able to secure her OCI at US$278.00.
On India Day – Sunday, January 31 – 10 free medical camps will offer consultation in the parishes of Kingston, St Mary, St Catherine, St Ann, Portland, St James, Manchester, Clarendon and St Elizabeth.
Some 50 Indo-Jamaican doctors have committed to this project, in collaboration with companies such as Dr Reddy’s, Bioprist and Glenmark.
“The Indian community is giving back to Jamaica,” said the second secretary.