Indian Embassy in Kyiv to evacuate citizens through Romania, Hungary

Kyiv: Amid Russian military operations in Ukraine, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv issued a fresh advisory informing stranded Indian citizens that the government is working to evacuate them through Romania and Hungary.

“Government of India and the Embassy of India are working to establish evacuation routes from Romania and Hungary. At present, teams are getting in place at the following checkpoints Chop-Zahony Hungarian Border near Uzhhorod Porubne-Siret Romanian Border near Chernivtsi,” read the Embassy statement.

The Indian Embassy also advised Indian nationals, especially students living closest to the above border checkpoints to depart first in an organised manner, in coordination with teams from the Ministry of External Affairs to actualize this option.

“Once above routes are operational Indian nationals travelling by their own arrangements for transport would be advised to proceed to above border checkpoints, and remain in touch with the Helpline Numbers set up at respective check-points for facilitation through the border. Numbers would be shared once the control rooms are established,” added the statement.

It also advised students to remain in touch with student contractors, for orderly movement and requested Indian nationals to continue to remain strong, safe and alert. The Embassy also reiterated that it is working round the clock to support the Indian community in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, it is also urged to print out the Indian flag and paste it prominently on vehicles and buses while travelling, carry a passport, cash preferably in USD for any emergency expenses, and other essentials and a COVID-19 double vaccination certificate, if available.

IMA writes to PM Modi

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking early evacuation of medical students stranded in Ukraine.

The IMA also urged the government to establish a dedicated helpdesk for medical students and also help them financially.

“As you are aware that thousands of Indian students pursuing their medical studies are stranded in Ukraine. Most of them cannot afford the escalated costs of air travel. Even those affording it cannot travel due to the adverse conditions there. Even the day-to-day rations are dwindling, creating severe hardships for their survival. Their parents here are anxious and worried about the safety and well-being of their children,” the letter said.

IMA said it is aware of the various efforts taken by the Union Government to get back Indian citizens.

“We sincerely and humbly appeal to your good self to give priority to our young students and bring them back as soon as possible. We request further to the Government to help them financially and make all possible efforts to get them out. A dedicated Helpdesk for medical students should also be created,” it added.

According to sources, the central government will arrange evacuation flights for Indian nationals in Ukraine.

They said that the cost will be completely borne by the government for this evacuation.

“Two flights for Bucharest today and one flight for Budapest for tomorrow are being planned to be operated as GOI chartered flights,” a source said.

Ukraine has closed its airspace after Russia launched a military operation against it.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has sent teams to the land borders with Ukraine in Hungary, Poland, Slovak Republic and Romania to assist the evacuation of Indian nationals.

Students reach out to NORKA

829 students from Ukraine reached out to Non-Resident Keralite’s Affairs requesting evacuation: Sreeramakrishnan

P Sreeramakrishnan, CEO of the Department of Non-Resident Keralite’s Affairs (NORKA), said that around 829 students from the state out of 2300, studying at 21 universities in Ukraine, have reached out to the department.

NORKA is a department of the Government of Kerala formed to redress the grievances of Non-Resident Keralites.

Sreeramakrishnan, a former Kerala Assembly Speaker, said: “In the last two days, 829 Kerala students have reached out to NORKA, requesting evacuation from the country. There are over 2,300 students from Kerala, who are studying in Ukraine.”

He further said that out of the 2300 students, only 150 are registered with NORKA.

He also pointed out that NORKA has set up a 24*7 helpline number to facilitate students who are stranded in Ukraine.