World’s Largest Air Evacuation In The History Of Mankind!
Air India might be known for delayed flights and poor service but how many of us knew that it has executed the largest air evacuation history of mankind.
In 1990, when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait leaving, the entire city in a state of terror, Indian Government airlifted over 1, 70,000 Indians from Kuwait with help of 488 flights in just 59 days.
It was at that time when Iraq wanted Kuwait to reduce oil production, to create a scarcity of oil leading to increasing oil prices, thereby helping Iraq raise more money. But Kuwait refused, leaving Iraq furious. On August 2nd 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait as part of the first Gulf War.
The underestimated gravity of the situation and reluctance of people to leave their well-settled lives, shredded glimmers of unease to the entire Indian community present there.
Evacuating the entire Indian community from Kuwait was not an easy task…!
“1, 70,000 Indians from Kuwait with help of 488 flights in just 59 days.”
Midst of the genocide, the Kuwaiti Royal family escaped to Saudi Arabia and the general population had to face the brunt of it. The responsibility came to the Indian Government to safely evacuate the entire Indian community to their motherland and hence the largest air evacuation mission took place.
Indians took shelter in schools and other buildings in various parts of Amman. The Indian government officials went to Kuwait to meet Saddam Hussein in order to convey their viewpoints and plans to evacuate Indians left astray.
Helped reached on August 14th, 12 days after the invasion took place. The Indian citizens were fuming with terror since they were expecting quicker intervention by the Indian government. Former Foreign Minister, I.K Gujral, handled the grave situation and brought the crowd under control. At first, a few military aircrafts were arranged to evacuate the elderly, women and children. But due to the lengthy procedure, this didn’t seem like a feasible solution.
Hence, the government turned to Air India for assistance. The Indian Air Force deployed its IL 76 aircraft for a steady communication link between Kuwait and Delhi government officials. Kerala government too came forward and dispatched food items for the Indian nationals in Kuwait.
This successful operation started on August 14, 1990 and continued for 2 long months and created history.
Time and again, the Indian government has proved that it leaves no stone unturned bringing back its people safely to their country.
“Bharat Mata Ki Jai”
