Dubai: A new initiative founded by retired Indian army personnel is reaching out to assist Indian expatriates in issues they may face back home or set their affairs in order.
Indian Assist, a non-profit, non government organisation (NGO) was launched on June 6, in India under the stewardship of Retired Lt General Rakesh Loomba, the former director of Indian military intelligence and retired Lt Col Naresh Bana. The NGO enjoys the patronage of V.K. Singh the former Indian Army Chief and Sushma Swaraj, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs. In the UAE, Indian Assist began operations on June 9.
Logging on to the website, one can see a bouquet of services that are offered to registered users. You may need help in taking your aged parents for a routine medical screening back home or need assistance in a legal case.
Expatriates also often face property buying, selling or renting issues, or may want help to organise a wedding or event or even manage a website or invest in stocks ... the Indian Assist team is willing to step in take over as expatriates typically struggle to strike a balance in setting their affairs in order in India.
Prakash elaborated: “Indian Assist has been established to preferably help retired army veterans to be gainfully employed while helping resolve several legal, realty, personal and other issues that our expatriates face on a daily basis but are unable to manage as they are out of the country. Indian Assist has a presence in several countries such as Canada, USA, UK, Bahrain and the UAE. In each country a single franchisee of the NGO will run the services.”
Explaining the working of the organisation, Prakash said: “Indian expatriates can log on to www.indianassist.org.in and register themselves. There is a list of services that are offered on the website. Expatriates in need of a service can send in a request after registration and they will be sent a fee quote. Our fees usually include expenses on the actuals with the addition of a service charge. Our disciplined former army veterans work as volunteers.”
Since it is a non-profit organisation, the service fees charged are nominal. Ever since Indian Assist started operations in UAE, the organisation has successfully resolved property disputes, extended medical help and organised events for expatriates back home, Prakash claimed
The website has a variety of services offered, including some unusual one’s such as assistance in finding a job, assistance to run a business in India, assistance for complete relocation (that includes hotel stay, finding a home, moving cargo and settling in). The organisation can also help in making an expat famous back home, by managing the publicity about his/her exploits abroad.
Prakash added :“We are very positive that this service is the need of the hour. Most Indian expatriates are looking for help to streamline their affairs back home. This is a reliable service run by disciplined former army veterans and one will be able to get quick results. In the UAE, Indians can either log on to www.indianassist.org.in or contact the local representative through email at: mail.indianassist@gmail.com.
