Eleven medical students from Meghalaya, who were stranded in war-torn Ukraine, have reached New Delhi today by a special plane hired by the Government of India as part of the evacuation mission known as ‘Operation Ganga’.
With their return, overall twelve students from the State have been evacuated so far.
Confirming this, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today tweeted, “11 students of Meghalaya, who are studying in Ukraine, have reached Delhi safely. Efforts are on to get the rest of the students back home safely.”
India has been ramping up its efforts to evacuate Indian nationals stuck in cities and border points of war-torn Ukraine.
However, several students from the State remained stranded in restive Ukraine which has been invaded by Russia.
The first student to arrive was Ishika Debnath, a resident of Laitumkhrah here. She had arrived here on February 27 after taking a flight from Ukraine’s neighbour Romania.
Debnath, a student of Bukovinian State Medical University, had to cross the Ukraine-Romania border with the help of the Indian Embassy.
She boarded a bus from her university and reached the Romanian border on February 24. After getting off the bus, she and other Indian students walked for around 4-5 km before crossing the border, and were then escorted to the airport.
The Meghalaya government recently released a list of 17 students stranded in Ukraine. Those on the list include Richie Kalra (Bishnupur), Ishika Debnath (Laitumkhrah), Deepak Kumar (Lower Paltan Bazar), Ibapynbianghunlang Nongkynrih (Nongrah), Shreejana Pradhan (Happy Valley), Medarisha Kurbah (Upper Shillong), Vicky Nongsiej, Synshar Tariang, Balapynsuk Synrem, Balarikordor Kharsati, Eunica Lawai Lyngdoh, Iwadamon Suchiang, Lashantihun Syiem, Dajiedkyrpang Rymbai, Mebaaishisha Paliar, Phiba Marbaniang and Decyful Nongrum.
However, at least seven more students pursuing their medical studies at Zaporizhzhya State Medical University in eastern Ukraine did not find their names in the list.
They are Barityngkai Lyngdoh, Rebecca Phawa, Daniella Adelene Kharumnuid, Malvida Nongrum, Daphibalahun Lyngdoh Mawlong, Daffinie Morallity Mawrie and Galilee Pohti.
Health Minister James Sangma has said the State government is in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safe return of all the stranded students.
The Meghalaya government has set up two helpline numbers – 9366066565 and 9863257261 – for students and citizens from the State stranded in Ukraine.
It may be mentioned that the Government of India has launched ‘Operation Ganga’ to evacuate Indians stranded in Ukraine since February 26.
Along with the Tata group-owned Air India, two other flights – SpiceJet and IndiGo have also joined the government’s evacuation efforts under ‘Operation Ganga’.
Around 14,000 Indians, mainly medical students, are currently stranded in Ukraine.
The Central government has also sent three Union ministers to oversee evacuation efforts from four countries neighbouring Ukraine.
Hardeep Puri has gone to Hungary, Jyotiraditya Scindia will oversee the evacuation process in Romania and Moldova, Kiren Rijiju has travelled to Slovakia and General (retd) V K Singh has left for Poland.
11 students of Meghalaya who are studying in Ukraine, have reached Delhi safely. Efforts are on to get the rest of the students back home safely.
— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) March 1, 2022
