Indian students say they worry about their lives, want Indian govt to get them evacuated as early as possible
Adnan (extreme right) studies at Bukovinian State Medical University in Chernivtsi
Anurag Kamble, Vishal Singh and Faizan Khan
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Panic-Stricken students stuck in Ukraine have urged the Indian government to help them with food and travel, which has become prohibitively expensive. Some of the students that mid-day spoke to said they have money in their accounts but no cash in hand as banks and ATMs are closed. Scores of students rushed to the Indian embassy in Kyiv on Thursday morning where officials appeared clueless.
Adnan Khan, an Indian student, said American students have left the country through Poland. “Foreign students have been leaving Ukraine for the last two weeks. In fact, most of them left the country 6 days ago. On February 20, the Indian government issued an advisory asking us to leave Ukraine, that too on our expenses, when the air ticket price had zoomed from Rs 23,000 to Rs 80,000,” said Khan.
On Thursday morning, hundreds of students rushed to the Indian embassy in Kyiv. “It was so chaotic, not a single official knew what to do. They didn’t even open the door to answer our queries. Later, they asked us to wait and took us to a nearby school. Since morning we are sitting here with no food,” said Kshitij Singh from New Delhi. “We have been told that we would be evacuated. But when is the real question.”
Ghatkopar resident Sultan Shaikh’s brother Suleman Mohammed Ali Shaikh, who went to Ukraine to study MBBS in 2019 is among those who are stranded. He said Suleman and many other students have been put up in a college. “My brother and his friends had taken a few biscuit packets. That’s all they have to eat,” said Sultan.
Ghatkopar resident Suleman Mohammed Ali Shaikh is a student of Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical University (right) Utkarsh Singh, an MBBS student at Ternopil National University
He said all shops, banks and ATMs are shut. “Even if my brother has money in his account, he cannot withdraw it. They have been asked to stay put at the college. They have no idea what’s happening outside,” said Sultan.
Suleman, who did his HSC at RJ Jhunjhunwala College in Ghatkopar, studies at Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical University. Sultan said the ticket prices have skyrocketed and his brother needs government help to buy a flight ticket.
Virar resident Bhagyashree Chikhalkar is stranded in Ivano Frankivsk. “Since morning, we are hearing the sound of missiles and blasts. The airport is fully destroyed. We are in touch with the Indian embassy and we have been told to stock up essentials and keep our bags ready. We want the Indian government to rescue us as soon as possible as we fear for our lives.”
Kshitij Singh from New Delhi is a first-year MBBS student at Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical University. “I had booked tickets for February 24. The first the flight was rescheduled for 90 minutes and then we were told that flight operations have been suspended. Now we all have been lodged in a school in Kyiv. There are 120 students here.” He added, “We don’t know whether we will get a chance to leave or Russian forces will reach us. We are praying.”
Divyanshu Gahlot, president of the Indian community in Ivano-Frankivsk, where about 1,500 students are stuck, said they are yet to receive any help from the Indian government. “The situation here is worse than what is being reported in the media. Fighter jets are literally flying over our heads. I am in touch with government officials but no one is helping us,” Gahlot told mid-day.
Adnan Khan, from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, studies at Bukovinian State Medical University in Chernivtsi said he landed in the country just 20 days ago. He and about 60 students are staying in their college hostel. “For now, we have food and water but we don’t know what will happen in the next 24 hours. The Indian embassy has assured us of evacuation from the Romanian side,” said the 22-year-old.
Utkarsh Singh, 23, a fourth-year MBBS student at Ternopil National University, said they are miles away from the conflict zone, but everyone is in a panic. “People fear this invasion may turn into a full-fledged war and will hurt everyone.”
Recalling his experience there, Utkarsh said, “This is a fantastic country with peaceful people but there is unrest since September 2021. There was a discussion about what could be the fallout of the tension at the border but finally, the invasion has taken place.” Hailing from Nalanda, Bihar, Utkarsh added, “The Indian embassy needs to evacuate each and every student through whatever way is possible.”
‘Can hear fighter jets’
Divyanshu Gahlot, president of the Indian community in Ivano-Frankivsk
‘The situation here is worse than what is being reported in the media. Fighter jets are literally flying over our head. I am in touch with goverment officials but no one is helping us’
Adnan Khan, resident of Bijnor in UP
‘For now, we have food and water but we don’t know what will happen in the next 24 hours. The Indian embassy has assured us of evacuation from the Romanian side’
Utkarsh Singh, MBBS student at Ternopil National University
‘We are miles away from the conflict zone, but everyone is in a panic. People fear this invasion may turn into a full-fledged war and will hurt everyone’
Timeline
January 25: Indian Embassy in Ukraine starts collecting details of Indians in Ukraine
February 15: Embassy of India, Kyiv, releases advisory for Indian nationals, asking those whose stay is not essential to consider leaving temporarily. Special helpline numbers and email Id released
February 16: Embassy releases FAQs, asks Indian citizens to maintain calm and not panic
February 18: Air India announces 3 flights between India-Ukraine on February 22, 24 and 26
February 20: Embassy releases another advisory asking Indians to leave Ukraine temporarily
February 22: Embassy advises students to leave Ukraine in the interest of their safety
February 24: Embassy asks Indians to remain safe wherever they are, be it in home, hostels or in transit. All Indians travelling to Kyiv asked to return.
18k
Estimated number of Indian students in Ukraine
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