Indian students are terrified after death of an Indian student in rocket attack in Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine war is getting intense for Indians after death of a medical student named Naveen Shekharappa was reported in Kharkiv. He was a fourth-year medical student in Kharkiv Medical University. According to the information, he was around city center for grocery when was injured in rocket attack by Russian troops. Indian foreign secretary expressed anger over the incident to Russian and Ukrainian ambassadors. Alongside, it has been assured by Indian administration to Indian parents of safe return, of their children from Ukraine. After the incident, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a conversation with Late Naveen’s family and expressed grief over the death.

In a recent high-level meeting conducted by Prime Minister, it has been decided that ministers from different states will travel neighboring countries of Ukraine to coordinate ‘Operation Ganga’. Through this operation, more than 2000 students have been evacuated so far. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donbas are some of the areas affected in war. As per the reports, nearly 3000 Indians are stranded in Kharkiv. Late Naveen’s father confronted that student in Kharkiv were not contacted by Indian embassy. Chief Minister of Karnataka said that Naveen’s dead body will be brought back to India, sooner. After death of an Indian student, others living in Kharkiv are in terror.

According to the statistics available, approximately 18,000 Indian students enrolled in Ukraine universities, out of total 76000 international students studying in Ukraine. Mainly all of them choose medical field for higher studies. 20 years old Komal, opted to pursue MBBS from Kharkiv National Medical university, last year. She told Eat News, ‘Earlier, we all were speculating that to an extent classes will be halted for days, but war like situation cannot arise. Some of my friends were constantly watching news to stay updated on the matter. But we never thought this point will arrive so soon.’ Komal arrived India through ‘Operation Ganga’ started by Indian administration to evacuate students from Ukraine. She further added, ‘My other friends from different countries, fled already, after the news of war. Students from India and Pakistan were all around.’

Kharkiv city is home for maximum foreign students in Ukraine due to the National Medical University. Another death of an Indian student was reported yesterday because of his prolonged sickness. 22 years old Chandan Jindal was fourth year medical student of Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical University, and was sick from a very long time, according to the Foreign Ministry. Komal shared the mental trauma students could go through after the deaths of Indian students and said, ‘Yes, I heard the news of deaths. It is sad and frightening at the same time. Especially for the students who are stranded and are still figuring out where to go. When you are far away from your parents and home, around deaths and violence, that feeling cannot be described. I am not able to contact my friends who are still there. Two of them arrived few days back while three are going through process.’ Komal suggested that Indian administration should arrange therapy sessions for all the students that are coming back from Ukraine, as present situation is mentally exhausting for them in several ways, including academic loss.

‘We all came back in mid semesters. Some of them in mid assignments or other important submissions. I am tensed about my future that what lies ahead. For now, no specific advisory has been issued by our university regarding further opening of college. Future is on stake, and all we can do is to pray for Ukrainians and for this war to stop for everyone’s good’, said Komal.

On misbehaving with Indian students on Poland and Romania borders, Komal is shocked. Recalling her struggle to get on the bus and staying in bunker, she said, people were coordinating and there was not much hassle. Komal alongside blaming Ukrainians army said, ‘Yes, while I was there finding routes, we were surrounded by Ukrainian army at every check post. But I did not witness any mishandling or misbehavior with a student. But I also agree, people who are sharing their experience cannot be a lie and they must have gone through similar situation and are disturbed. Visuals are evidence that army is beating students and are torturing them’.

Currently, each and every Indian student in Ukraine is trying to get their way out amid rocket and missile attacks. It is no less than a combat zone, where death is coming from sky. In the middle of war, Khalsa Aid (International NGO) that aims to provide humanitarian aid in civil conflict and disaster areas, has step in to provide food and water service to the people traveling via Ukraine-Poland border. A proper tent is set up, and 24-hour food is being prepared by the volunteers of Khalsa Aid. According to the information, NGO is providing its food service even in trains of Ukraine.

After Russian president, Vladimir Putin already has kept its nuclear force on high alert, experts are worried that if nuclear weapons entered, people have to bear heavy loss. Indian administration has speed up its ‘Operation Ganga’ and according to the officials, within three to four days, all students will get successfully evacuated from Ukraine.