Ukraine: Help gradually trickles in for Indian students

Hameed Ashraf | NT

As days pass on the SOS calls by Karnataka students stranded in various parts of Ukraine are turning out to be emotional ones, many of them are running out of food and water.

However, much to the relief of some parents in the state, the students who were reportedly stranded in Chernivtsi in Ukraine, have started their journey back to India through neighbouring Romania on Saturday.

In the last few days, many videos have surfaced on the internet, where the students can be seen urging the government to evacuate them immediately as many of them were facing a shortage of food and medical supplies. In one of the dimly-lit videos purportedly from inside one of the bunkers where many have been hiding, two students from Bengaluru are appealing to the Indian embassy in Ukraine to rescue them.

In the meantime, the Embassy of India is coordinating with the Government of Hungary regarding smooth entry of stranded Indian students into Hungary through Zahony-Uzhhorod border crossing by bus or van. Students were asked to carry a valid passport, Residence permit, Student ID card, Vaccination Card or Certificate with them.

But owing to lack of money, the students were unable to afford the heavy charges being demanded by bus operators to move to borders. Many of them were also running out of food and water and staying jam packed in bunkers.

The massive explosions in many regions were adding up to the tension of the stranded students. Amidst this Chief Minister, Basavaraj Bommai said he has requested the external affairs minister to make necessary arrangements like food for the stranded students. “I’ve had conversations with those students. I’ve assured them of my full support and urged them to be brave,” he said on Saturday.

Indian ambassador to Ukraine, Partha Satpathy interacted with the students and assured all possible assistance. “It has been a very anxious day for you all… We heard that your flight is cancelled and realised that all of you are here. And as you know martial law has been imposed and too many people cannot be together. So we took a conscious decision to keep you outside for authorities to see the numbers,” he said.