Thirty Years of NORKA: Roots Deep, Branches Wide

Young Malayalis embrace citizenship abroad are increasing, however, they keep the spirit of the homeland at their hearts to connect with their brethren at home. This added responsibility of the State has resulted in the formation of the NORKA department and its welfare schemes.

-Ajith Kolassery
CEO, NORKA ROOTS

The number of Malayalis who embrace citizenship in Western countries and settle as permanent residents continues to grow day by day. According to a latest migration survey, more than two million Malayalis live and work across the globe embodying resilience and ambition along with the spirit of the homeland. More than 250,000 of our young students pursue education abroad chasing their dreams. The story of Kerala’s development is inseparable from the remittances of its Diaspora— it uplifts families, strengthens communities, and raises our collective standard of living. Despite the financial security achieved by many Keralites who live abroad, unsuccessful stories linked with financial stability, human rights, disasters and illness are also part of the history. The Government of Kerala established India’s first ever state department for the welfare of Non-Residents in 1996 to safeguard the rights of NRKs, resolving their problems and carrying out welfare activities. NORKA Roots, its field agency connects them to the state government.

Integrating Non-Residents

The NORKA department mainly handles social security schemes for non-resident Keralites, reintegration programmes for returnees, relief schemes, non-resident partnership programmes, migration assistance schemes and services.

The Loka Kerala Sabha

The Loka Kerala Sabha was formed in 2018 to bring the expatriate Keralites from all over the world under one umbrella. Currently, representatives from 103 countries and 25 Indian states are members of the Sabha. So far, four conferences and three regional conferences of the Loka Kerala Sabha have been organised.

The NORKA Department Project for Returned Emigrants (NDPREM)

The NDPREM is a rehabilitation scheme that ensures financial assistance to returnee expatriates to start self-employment ventures offering 15% of capital subsidy upto Rs. 3 lakhs and 3% of interest subsidy for four years for projects up to Rs. 30 lakhs. With the support of more than 70,000 branches across 17 financial institutions, 9,239 enterprises have taken root, breathing new life into communities. Rs. 106.38-crore has been spent as subsidy.

The Pravasi Bhadrata Scheme

Launched in 2021-22 after the Covid pandemic, the scheme has helped 13,906 expatriates to start their own businesses.

The NORKA Business Facilitation Centre

This centre was established to provide expert advice and guidance to returning expatriates to start businesses in Kerala. 551 units have been started and expanded through this.

Santhwana

A relief scheme, Santhwana is designed to help families of returned expatriates. Since 2016, financial assistance of about Rs. 212-crore has been provided to 35,580 expatriate families. Financial assistance of up to Rs. 1 lakh is provided to dependents as post-death assistance, up to Rs. 50,000 as medical assistance, up to Rs. 15,000 as marriage assistance for daughters of expatriates, and up to Rs. 10,000 for purchasing disability equipment for those with disabilities. The NORKA Pravasi ID Card ensures the welfare and social security of expatriate Keralites. It represents Keralites in 181 countries. So far, 7,53,310 people have been issued with ID cards.

NORKA CARE

Norka Care is the latest and largest comprehensive health accident insurance scheme among NORKA’s social security schemes. Under this scheme, the policyholder gets health coverage of Rs. 5 lakh and group personal accident health coverage of Rs. 10 lakh with Rs. 8101 as annual premium for an individual and Rs 13,411 for a family of a husband, wife and two children below the age of 25.

Expatriate Welfare Fund Board

Since 2016, the pension scheme implemented by the Expatriate Welfare Fund Board has provided welfare pension of Rs 7,398,282,107 to 68,356 expatriates. If a member of the Pravasi Welfare Board, who is a Pravasi Keralite Abroad (1A category) and has been paying dues continuously for 5 years; dies, his family will be entitled to posthumous financial assistance of up to Rs. 50,000. If he is a former Pravasi Keralite Abroad (1B) or Pravasi Keralite India (2A) category, the posthumous financial assistance will be Rs. 30,000.

Norka Roots as a Recruitment Agency

Norka Roots is also an international recruitment agency recognised by the Ministry of External Affairs. Over the past 10 years, it has recruited around 4000 people in various countries. Recruitment is mainly done on the basis of MoUs with government agencies in Germany, UK, Canada, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and UAE. Under the Triple Win Kerala scheme, which recruits nurses from Kerala to Germany, 1029 nursing professionals have reached Germany. So far, 105 people have entered employment through nursing recruitment to the province of Newfoundland & Labrador in Canada and 438 health workers have been appointed to Saudi Arabia.

NORKA Skill Development Training Program

As part of the NORKA Skill Development Training Program, the NORKA Institute of Foreign Languages is providing training in foreign languages such as English and German. Education is completely free for categories like SC, ST and BPL.

NRI Grievance Redressal Committee

On the recommendation of the Loka Kerala Sabha, District Level NRI Grievance Redressal Committees are functioning in all districts with the District Collector as the Chairman.

Overseas Keralites Investment and Holdings Limited (OKIH Limited)

Overseas Keralites Investment and Holdings Limited (OKIH Limited) is a government company formed under the NORKA Department on the recommendation of the First Loka Kerala Sabha to utilise the skills and investment potential of NRI Malayalis in the making of a nava Kerala aimed at Vision 2031 with the Chief Minister as the Chairman. Its first venture is to build 30 roadside rest stops with international facilities near highways with fuel station, vehicle repair facility, food stalls and convenience store. The first centre is coming up in Manjeswaram Taluk in Kasaragod district.

OKIH Sherpa

A special platform called OKIH Sherpa is being launched to facilitate investment in Kerala. By collaborating with local self-government bodies, government agencies, financial institutions, subject matter experts and other stakeholders, Sherpa will act as a reliable support system for NRIs and other investors.

The Senior Living Conclave

The Senior Living Conclave, which was held as part of Sherpa and included senior living sector executives, investors, various government departments and representatives, provided clear answers to the questions of how high-quality senior living centres should be formed in Kerala and what facilities should be provided.

NORKA Leads the Country

Kerala’s vision to hold at heart its suffering expatriates was materialised 30 years ago with the formation of NORKA department, which was far ahead of time. Its each expansion endeavours exemplifies an ahead of time success. With the successful rendition of its musings while achieving many firsts in winning the hearts of its global citizens; showing the way to many states in the formation of a department, welfare board and establishing pension schemes, health insurance schemes and commencing the most revolutionary Loka Kerala Sabha, the State leads the country on how to connect with its Diaspora.