'When is papa coming?': Canadians stranded in India frustrated by travel ban extension
On Monday, federal transport minister Omar Alghabra, announced an extension to the ban on flights arriving in Canada from India. The ban is set to end on Aug. 21, though it could be renewed again at that point.
It's not what Suruchi Jaitley's was hoping for. Her husband Devesh went to New Delhi in April to help family during a medical emergency. Shortly after, on April 21, the ability to return from India slammed shut and Divesh has been stranded there ever since.
“Since we did not have plan to stay so long, the expenses are going up. There is also a mental pressure without the family,” said Divesh while on a video call from New Delhi.
“I feel very helpless," he said. "I'm so far away I cannot do anything. Even if I wish to help in some way I could not. So I feel very helpless right now.”
Suruchi Jaitley, July 20, 2021
COVID-19 DECLINING IN INDIA
On Tuesday India reported 30,093 new cases of COVID-19. In contrast, the United States which has a third of India's population reported over new 35,000 cases.
The Jaitleys wonder why Canada is reopening travel to a country with a rising COVID-19 count while remaining closed to India where the COVID-19 count is dropping quickly.
“It’s very, very stressful right now. I try to manage things, but you know, sometimes… I’m just one person… and how much you can stress yourself? Sometimes it comes to the point where you feel like, okay, it should just end here.” said Suruchi “The problem becomes that you don't want to cry in front of your kids, because then they will be even more sad.”
The Jaitleys have three children. The youngest, five-year-old Alisha, does not understand why her father is not home.
“Every night she prays he will be home” says Suruchi “She is at the point where when she's talking to her dad, she says ‘I can put a crack in the phone and pull papa out of here?’ It sounds easy, but when this thing happens, it's so overwhelming sometimes that you don't know how to manage. She's always asking when is papa coming?’ And I don't know. I seriously don't know.”
Jaitley wonders why during the Calgary Stampede, events like Nashville North could admit thousands of guests using proof of vaccination and rapid testing, but the federal government cannot use the same procedure to get citizens home from abroad.
"Why is the Canadian government not letting planes coming from India when they're having Stampede? My daughter asked me that question, and I don't know the answer,” said Suruchi. “You are welcoming the visitors – and I get that - but do something about your citizens. Do something about the people who are on a PR status (permanent resident) who are stuck. You know, think about the kids who are away from their families.”
The Jaitleys are quick to point out that they are not asking the government for a “repatriation flight: or even financial aid to return to Canada, only that Divesh be allowed to take a plane home without having to circumvent the system by booking an expensive, circuitous route through a third country to get home.
At last count on May 21, there were 20,385 Canadians registered with the federal government as being in India.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.