Latest news with #Norka
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kerala family awaits repatriation of son's remains from Russian frontline
THRISSUR: As the Russia–Ukraine war continues with all its devastation, the family of Binil, who died while serving on the Russian frontline after falling prey to a trafficking racket, is still waiting to repatriate his mortal remains. It has been over seven months since reports from Russia confirmed the death of Binil. Since then, his family has been running from one office to another, hoping to see him one last time. Binil T B, a native of Wadakkanchery, took a flight to Russia on 24 April, 2024, along with his friends. They had been promised jobs as electricians in Moscow. But things allegedly took a turn for the worse soon after. Binil was moved to a military settlement, where his passport and documents were confiscated. In the initial days, they were instructed to supply food and essential items to the settlement. But by June 2024, they were sent to the frontline. Binil and Jain were assigned to one military regiment, while another group, including two Malayalis, Santhosh and Sandeep, was sent to a different location. Sandeep died in a shell attack in August 2025. According to Jain Kurien, who returned from Russia in May 2025, 'I saw him last in the morning on 5 January, 2025. On 6 January, I was transferred to another regiment and on the way, I saw him lying motionless following a drone attack. I was also injured in a similar attack on the way and was hospitalised. When Sandeep died, his body was brought to Moscow within two weeks of the incident. But in the case of Binil, we don't know where the mortal remains are kept,' he said. Binil's father Babu, a tailor, said, 'It has been difficult to manage things. I have been visiting all possible offices to bring my son back. I have gone to Thiruvananthapuram four times already, spoken to the authorities including Norka and the Russian Embassy. I also sent letters to the Ministry of External Affairs, MoS Suresh Gopi, the Chief Minister's Office, etc. However, we are yet to receive a positive reply as to when his body can be repatriated,' said Babu, adding that he is not even able to focus on work.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Seven months on, Kerala family awaits repatriation of son's remains from Russian frontline
THRISSUR: As the Russia–Ukraine war continues with all its devastation, the family of Binil, who died while serving on the Russian frontline after falling prey to a trafficking racket, is still waiting to repatriate his mortal remains. It has been over seven months since reports from Russia confirmed the death of Binil. Since then, his family has been running from one office to another, hoping to see him one last time. Binil T B, a native of Wadakkanchery, took a flight to Russia on 24 April, 2024, along with his friends. They had been promised jobs as electricians in Moscow. But things allegedly took a turn for the worse soon after. Binil was moved to a military settlement, where his passport and documents were confiscated. In the initial days, they were instructed to supply food and essential items to the settlement. But by June 2024, they were sent to the frontline. Binil and Jain were assigned to one military regiment, while another group, including two Malayalis, Santhosh and Sandeep, was sent to a different location. Sandeep died in a shell attack in August 2025. According to Jain Kurien, who returned from Russia in May 2025, 'I saw him last in the morning on 5 January, 2025. On 6 January, I was transferred to another regiment and on the way, I saw him lying motionless following a drone attack. I was also injured in a similar attack on the way and was hospitalised. When Sandeep died, his body was brought to Moscow within two weeks of the incident. But in the case of Binil, we don't know where the mortal remains are kept,' he said. Binil's father Babu, a tailor, said, 'It has been difficult to manage things. I have been visiting all possible offices to bring my son back. I have gone to Thiruvananthapuram four times already, spoken to the authorities including Norka and the Russian Embassy. I also sent letters to the Ministry of External Affairs, MoS Suresh Gopi, the Chief Minister's Office, etc. However, we are yet to receive a positive reply as to when his body can be repatriated,' said Babu, adding that he is not even able to focus on work.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Norka to host free workshop for returning expatriates
T'puram: Norka Roots and Centre for Management Development (CMD) are organizing a free one-day entrepreneurship workshop for expatriates and returnee migrants. The event will be held at CMD office, Thycaud at 9.30am on Friday. The workshop is part of the Norka department project for returned emigrants (NDPREM), offering guidance on business development, financial planning and management strategies. Participants will discover innovative business ideas suitable with minimal investment. NDPREM scheme, available to Keralites who worked overseas for over two years, provides a capital subsidy up to Rs 3 lakh and 3% interest subsidy on loans for the first four years. The programme supports both new and existing businesses. Interested participants can register at the venue. For details, visit or contact CMD at 0471-2329738/+91-8078249505. Norka's global contact centre is available at 1800 425 3939. TNN
New Indian Express
18-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Keralites in Israel and Iran safe
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Keralites in strife-torn Iran and Israel are safe at present and details of those who have contacted the state government for assistance have been passed on to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), officials of Norka have said. A batch of 12 medical students from Kerala at Kerman in Iran and a business delegation from the state presently in Iran's capital Tehran have contacted Norka. CEO Ajith Kolassery said the students are safe in their dormitories and their details have been passed on to the Indian Embassy in Iran through the MEA. The business delegation, along with local Iranians, has moved to a safer place, which is 10 hours away from Tehran. They are expected to reach the Bandar Abbas port and head to any of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy has begun efforts to shift Indian citizens, including students to Armenian capital Yerevan. Norka officials got in touch with Keralites and members of the Loka Kerala Sabha in Israel who informed them of the overnight strikes. All of them, including care givers, paramedical staff, nurses and students, are safe. Besides the helpline numbers of the MEA and Indian embassies in both countries, Norka's global contact centre is also handling calls for assistance.
India Today
23-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Kerala High Court judges, MLAs narrowly escape amid Kashmir terror attack
A group of High Court judges and MLAs from Kerala, who were on a trip to Jammu and Kashmir, had a narrow escape as a terror attack in Pahalgam claimed 26 lives, including one from Ernakulam, Kerala. The Kerala Chief Minister's Office (CMO) confirmed that the delegation was not in the immediate vicinity at the time of the Anil K Narendran, PG Ajithkumar and G Girish, who were staying in Srinagar, were confirmed safe, the CMO confirmed. They are expected to return to Kerala on Thursday. Sources close to the judges said they and their families had left Pahalgam for Srinagar, about 90 km away, just a few hours before the attack happened in Baisaran the CMO said the judges were on a trip with their families, the MLA were part of a legislative delegation from Kerala. MLAs M Mukesh, KPA Majeed, T Siddique and K Ansalan, who were also in Srinagar, were likewise reported safe. The CMO also stated that all necessary steps were being taken to ensure the safety of Malayalis currently in Jammu and Kashmir. Expressing grief over the loss of a Malayali's life in the attack, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, 'The news that a native of Ernakulam was killed is extremely painful. His family members will be brought home safely. All necessary arrangements will be made under the leadership of the government.'N Ramachandran, a native of Edappally in Kochi, was killed in the attack in Pahalgam. He was on a vacation with his wife, his daughter and her two MLA T Siddique, who was in Kashmir, spoke to India Today from the police control room where the bodies of the deceased were being kept. According to him, he and the three other MLAs were part of an Assurance Committee team from Kerala who reached Kashmir on Tuesday at 5.20 pm, for a Kashmir Legislative Assembly Committee in response to the incident, the Kerala government launched a help desk through Norka (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs) to provide immediate assistance and information. The Norka Roots Chief Executive Officer Ajit Kolassery said: 'The Norka help desk has been launched as per the instructions of the Chief Minister's Office to provide assistance, services and information to Keralites in the wake of the Kashmir terror attack.'Those stranded in Kashmir or seeking information about their loved ones can reach out to the Norka Global Contact Centre through the toll-free number 18004253939 or by giving a missed call to 00918802012345. The help desk has begun collecting details of those in need and is coordinating efforts with local the Chief Minister has directed Kerala House in New Delhi to provide any necessary support for those passing through or in need of assistance while returning from the region.
