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BIG STORY MARCH 11, 2022 | The Indian Eye 4

ruSSia-ukraine war

OperatiOn tO

rescue indians

the indian government rescues thousands of indian nationals amid shelling,

roadblocks, diversions and other major adversities. But india refuses to change its position as

the war impacts domestic politics and international relations

OUR BUREAU Embassy said, “The last two weeks
have been extremely harrowing and
New Delhi /Kyiv/Moscow
challenging for all of us. Hardly any-
round 13,300 people have re- one would have ever witnessed such
turned to India from Ukraine pain and disruption in our lives.
aso far by 63 flights under Op- Nonetheless, I am proud of the ma-
eration Ganga, Ministery of External turity and fortitude displayed by our
Affairs said on Saturday, adding that Indian Nationals, especially young
15 flights have landed in the last 24 Indian students, in continuing to stay
hours carrying around 2,900 onboard. brave during these difficult times.” It
In a daily briefing, the MEA official further said that over the past week,
spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said: more than 10,000 Indian students
“15 flights have landed in the last 24 have been evacuated from Ukraine
hours with around 2,900 onboard. barring Kharkiv and Sumy, almost all
Approximately 13,300 people re- Indians from the remaining regions
turned to India so far by 63 flights of Ukraine have been evacuated.
under Operation Ganga. 13 flights The Embassy said that despite
scheduled for the next 24 hours.” He shelling, roadblocks, diversions and
noted that over 21,000 people have other major adversities, food and
left Ukraine. water continued to be delivered to
Bagchi also said that almost Pisochyn, in whatever quantities and
all Indians have left Kharkiv city of An Indian student meets with her family members as she arrives after being evacuated means available.
Ukraine and the main focus of the It further urged to continue fol-
government is to evacuate citizens from war-torn Ukraine under ‘Operation Ganga’ at IGI Airport, in New Delhi on Saturday. (ANI Photo) lowing important safety protocols
from Sumy where Indian students and to cooperate with Ukrainian au-
are stuck right now. “We will now - Donetsk and Luhansk - as indepen- Ukraine as it faces conflict from Rus- thorities and citizens. “At the same
be looking at how many are still in dent entities. sia. time, I urge you to continue follow-
Ukraine. The embassy will contact Union Minister of Civil Avia- While most of the requests for ing important safety protocols and to
those who happen to be there but tion, Jyotiraditya M Scindia on Sat- help have come in from Indians, this cooperate with Ukrainian authorities
haven’t registered... In nearby Piso- urday met volunteers from the Indi- organization has been able to help and citizens. Please do remember,
chyn...we have moved (evacuated) an diaspora who are providing food nationals from several other coun- millions of Ukrainian citizens, in-
298 students, hoping to complete it and shelter to the people crossing the tries as well including Africans and cluding the elderly, women and chil-
by today,” he said. border amid Ukraine-Russia crisis. Ukrainians. Sewa International aids dren are also moving out of Ukraine
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Na- “Delighted to meet this fan- local communities through its pro- through the very same border points.
rendra Modi, yesterday chaired a tastic bunch of volunteers from the grams and chapters across the world We must be appreciative of the ef-
meeting to discuss the ongoing evac- Indian diaspora en route to the Ro- including here in Europe where sev- forts of the Ukrainian authorities,
uation drive of Indian nationals and mania-Ukraine border in Siret. It’s eral members of the Sangh are also a and maintain calm when crossing
the situation in conflict-hit Ukraine. inspiring to learn about their tire- part of the volunteer teams. the borders. Together, we will get
The government has also deployed less sewa, weathering the cold - car- Meanwhile, the Indian Embas- through this soon,” it added.
“special envoys” to four neighbour- ing, sheltering and providing food sy in Kyiv on Saturday (local time) Raising concerns over the Indian
ing countries bordering Ukraine to to people from various nationalities said that they will not leave any stone students stranded in Sumy following
coordinate and oversee the evacua- crossing the border,” said Scindia in unturned to ensure the safe evac- the Ukraine crisis, India on Satur-
tion process of Indian nationals. a tweet. Meanwhile, Sewa Interna- uation of Indian students from the day said that it has urged Russian
Russian forces launched military tional, a not-for-profit organization Ukrainian city of Sumy and request- and Ukrainian governments through
operations in Ukraine on February through its journey in Europe, has ed them to keep some more hours of multiple channels for an immediate
24, three days after Moscow recog- been able to extend help to as many strength. ceasefire to create a safe corridor for
nized Ukraine’s breakaway regions as 30,000 people who are stuck in In a fresh advisory, the Indian Continued at next page... >>

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