City students in Kharkiv risk lives, march to train station

Hameed Ashraf | NT

A day after 21-year-old Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagouda became the first Indian casualty in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a group of Bengaluru-origin students at the Kharkiv National Medical University in north-eastern Ukraine decided it was time to leave the country’s second city

On Wednesday, a large number of people including Indians and other nationals started marching towards the nearest railway station risking their lives and holding their national flags. Bengaluru native Pradeep, whose cousin is among those stranded in Ukraine, said: “About 1,000 people including 700 Indians reached Kharkiv railway station on Wednesday. My cousin said they had to take the risk of walking seven kilometres to the station, with no transport available.” Pradeep’s cousin – also a Bengaluru native – is in the group associated with Naveen Gyangoudar, the student who died in Karkhiv yesterday. Initially, the group had planned to vacate the bunker they were hiding in on Monday, but Naveen suggested the group wait for the junior students to join them before leaving for the railway station. He then stepped out to buy groceries and exchange currency for the group, but fell victim to a missile that destroyed the grocery store as well.

‘Embassy reacted late’
A fifth-year medicine student at Kharkiv National Medical University and garden city native Priya said: “When we contacted the Indian embassy, initially they did not have any clue about the situation. Later, they said those whose stay was not essential may leave Ukraine. This was a confusing piece of advice. It was only on February 18 (six days before the invasion) that they said we have to leave, which was almost impossible due to the paucity of time and flights. Before February 24, the university told us that these conflicts have been going on since 1991 and told us not to worry.”

Another Bangalorean student from the Kharkiv varsity, Suman, said: “On February 18, the Indian embassy in Kyiv shared a note that three additional flights would start “in view of the demand from Indians in Ukraine for flights between Kyiv-Delhi due to uncertainties of the current situation in Ukraine,” she said. “Flight prices, which were around Rs20,000, jumped to Rs75,000 to 80000. We thought it might get cheaper the next day or the next,” Suman said. Meanwhile the families of the stranded students in Karnataka, are in a fix. They are trying to get in touch with their wards. “Students have no option but to take the risk as they don’t have money or food and water. They are relying on God now and walking towards the railway station,” said Venkatesh V, whose daughter is among the group reaching Kharkiv railway station. Meanwhile, students trapped in Ukraine appealed to the Indian government through social media to evacuate them right away.