Goa NRI panel writes to envoy in Iran on 9 quarantined nationals

Panaji, March 16 (IANS) Goa's Non-Resident Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar, here on Monday, urged Indian ambassador to Iran Dharmendra Gaddam to check on the well-being of nine Indians, including four from Goa, quarantined in Iran in the wake of global coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter to Gaddam, Sawaikar said, the nine Indians were employed with optical lens maker GKB Hightech, based out of Goa, and were quarantined at the home of an Iranian.

"GKB Hightech had deputed four Goan youths -- Ajay Parab, Mitesh Rawool, Rohan Pednekar and Sachin Kalangutkar -- to work in Iran," Sawaikar said in his letter to the Indian embassy in Tehran.

"It has been brought to my notice that these youths alongwith five others from Maharashtra has been reportedly quarantined in Iran and according to media reports, they are accommodated in a room and provided with food by an Iranian friend," Sawaikar said.

The NRI Commission, a Goa government agency, serves as a liaison between the state government and the large expat population of Goans worldwide.

"I am concerned about the well-being and safety of all the youths hailing from Goa and Maharashtra and request the help and assistance from your eoffice for their safe and early return to India after the quarantine period," Sawaikar said.