Thiruvananthapuram, April 08: The Kerala Government has set up five COVID Helpdesks for the expatriate Malayalee community. Announcing this today, Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan said, “In order to address the concerns and issues faced by the non-resident Keralites, we have set up five dedicated COVID Helpdesks in countries where we have a substantial number of Pravasi Malayalis. The helpdesks started by Norka Roots will be managed locally by persons and voluntary organisations active among Non-Resident Keralites. We have requested the Indian Ambassadors in these places to cooperate with these helpdesks.” The details about these helpdesks are available on the Norka Roots website https://norkaroots.org/web/guest/covid-services.

The Chief Minister also informed that online medical services would be made available to the non-resident Keralites through the Norka Roots website. Pravasi Malayalis can consult prominent doctors in Kerala by audio or video calls through the website, with prior registration. The services of various speciality doctors will be available from 2 pm to 6 pm IST.

Currently, registration for the Norka Pravasi Id card is only available for the Malayali expatriates residing or working abroad for a period of not less than six months. “Now students from Kerala studying abroad can also avail this facility. The overseas student registration service would enable them to get Insurance benefits and discounts on flight tickets. This registration will be mandatory for all students presently studying abroad as well as for those going abroad, from now on”, the CM added.

The Pravasi Id card is a multi-purpose photo identity card that entitles every non-resident Keralite to avail all services and facilities offered by Norka Root. The card comes with an add-on Personal Accident Insurance coverage. Two prominent airlines are offering a discount on the base fare for air tickets booked by Norka Id Card holders.