Vande Bharat Mission (VBM)

The Vande Bharat Mission (VBM), which started repatriating Indians stranded abroad due to COVID-19 and the resultant lockdowns since May 7 last, has turned out to be one of the largest evacuations of civilians by a country.

VBM

• Vande Bharat Mission was started to bring back stranded Indians from foreign destinations after suspension of regular international flights.
• India has already repatriated over 87 per cent of residents who had registered with Indian missions requesting to be evacuated after restrictions on routine international flights were imposed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic outbreak.
• Air India and its subsidiary Air India express played a key role in the operations. Afterwards, other air carriers were allowed to take part in the programme.
• The entire cost of travelwill be borne by the passengers under the mission.