Operation Raahat: over 600 evacuated
- In the largest evacuation as part of Operation Raahat so far, three Air India flights airlifted 488 people from Sana’a to Djibouti while naval patrol vessel INS Sumitra rescued 203 people, including 19 foreign nationals from eight countries, from Ash Shihr via Al Muqalla port.
- India secured a four-hour window for evacuation from Sana’a on March 6.
- Meanwhile, late on March 6, two Air Force C-17s with 452 passengers landed in Mumbai while an Air India AI-777 with 352 passengers landed in Kochi.
- In addition, the civilian liners Kavaratti and Corals , with a total capacity of 1100 passengers, have reached Djibouti on March 6 afternoon and will join in the evacuation, officials said.
- Op Raahat is now a global endeavour with nationals from several countries evacuated by India; INS Mumbai on March 5 evacuated 179 people from 17 countries from Aden.
- “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - The world is a family…” tweeted Syed Akbaruddin, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson.
- External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj meanwhile said the evacuation from Aden, which is witnessing heavy fighting between the warring sides, is now over. “The evacuation from Aden is complete - thanks to Indian Navy,” she tweeted.
- The Minister also turned down criticism that India had delayed its response, reminding citizens and netizens alike that India had issued three advisories — the first one as early as January — asking Indians to leave.
- In another tweet, Ms. Swaraj said: “My colleague General V. K. Singh who is shuttling between Sana’a and Djibouti is sparing no effort in accomplishing this difficult task.”
- As situation worsens and the anxiety of stranded citizens and their awaiting families mounts, Twitter continues to be the primary link between those stranded and the government to disseminate information.
Serena Williams wins eight miami title
- Serena Williams became just the fourth woman in the Open-era to win the same tournament eight times, joining Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf.
- World No. 1 Serena Williams joined an elite club on March 5, winning her eighth Miami WTA title with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-0 win over Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro.
- The 33-year-old US superstar, who won her 19th Grand Slam title in Australia this year, lifted the trophy in the elite premier level tournament for the third straight year.
- She also won three straight Miami titles from 2002-04 and back-to-back titles in 2007-08.
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