Mumbai's Videsh Bhavan reaffirms MEA's people-centrism
Yesterday, a new Videsh Bhavan (VB) was inaugurated in Mumbai. It integrates all MEA's branches related to issuance of passports, protection of emigrants and managing cultural relations under one roof. Besides 12 districts of Maharashtra, this VB will also cater to Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. This is another step in line with Sushma Swaraj and the MEA's people-centric approach.
How does a VB help you?
VB's main aim is to streamline processes for issuing passports and assisting citizens in emigration-related matters. For example, citizens will be given counselling sessions about the countries they are visiting and the laws relevant to them. This will improve awareness. The location of the Protection of Emigration Office is significant: 70% of the country's emigration applications come from Mumbai.
The VB also eases work for the government
The VB takes forward Modi's vision of making the state more relevant in the Centre's working. As more Indians go abroad, VBs will act as bridges between Centre and the states. A single office will cut the cost of running different functional offices, while ensuring efficiency.
Increasing use of technology to make MEA people-centric
This new initiative is in line with the MEA's increasing use of technology to connect to the people. Sushma Swaraj has made a name for herself due to her extensive use of social media and promptly solving citizens' problems. This has particularly helped in rescuing Indians stranded abroad. The MEA has focused on a paperless approach to streamline processes and make them efficient.
What's the MEA planning now?
Mumbai's VB is only the first. Other state capitals will also have VBs soon. There's more in the MEA's plans. A major issue is false information provided by private companies, due to which nationals often remain stranded at immigration checkpoints abroad, particularly West Asia. The MEA plans to check this. Initiatives by Swaraj and her team have certainly raised the bar for future MEA heads.
