Seventeen Meghalayans studying in Ukraine or their families back home have used the state government’s special helpline to seek help and evacuation from the war-torn Eastern European country.
Thirteen of these are studying in Uzhhorod National University, which is thankfully far in the west of Ukraine away from the invading Russian army.
The state’s Home (Political) Department has forwarded the names and other details of the 17 students to the Union Ministry of External Affairs and asked the Centre to take “necessary action to provide necessary provision and safe passage for their repatriation to India at the earliest.”
Civilian flights continue to remain non-existent in Ukraine due to the prevailing situation. Some of the students have had their flights cancelled and others have been told to flee to neighbouring Hungary by road but do not have the money to do so.
One Rev Bhabok Khonglam singlehandedly informed the government about the 11 in Uzhhorod – Vicky Nongsiej, Synshar Tariang, Balapynsuk Synrem, Balarikordor Kharsati, Eunica Lawai Lyngdoh, Iwadamon Suchiang, Lashantihun Syiem, Dajiedkyrpang Rymbai, Mebaaishisha Paliar, Phiba Marbaniang, Decyful Nongrum.
The others were identified as Richie Kalra (of Bishnupur, Shillong) in Zaporizhzhia, Ishika Debnath (Laitumkhrah) in Chernivtsi, Deepak Kumar (Lower Paltan Bazar) in Zaporizhzhia, Ibapynbianghunlang Nongkynrih (Lummarboh, Nongrah) in Uzhhorod, Shreejana Pradhan (Happy Valley) in Odesa and Medarisha Kurbah (Upper Shillong, 3rd Mile) in Uzhhorod.
Meanwhile, Health Minister James Sangma today said that the Meghalaya government is in constant touch with the External Affairs Ministry to safely evacuate the stranded students and other citizens of the State from Ukraine.
“We hope that till the time these stranded people are evacuated to India they will remain safe and healthy. People from Meghalaya are in the Ukrainian capital Kiev and other places of that country,” Sangma told media persons here.
He also said that the chief minister has taken up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs.
It may be mentioned that every year scores of students from Meghalaya go to Ukraine for medical studies.
According to the Indian Embassy in Kyiv, currently over 18,000 students from India are in Ukraine studying medicine or engineering, forming roughly 24 per cent of total international students.
Reports said that the Ministry of External Affairs today set up camp offices in Lviv and Chernivtsi towns in western Ukraine to facilitate transit of Indians to neighbouring Hungary, Romania and Poland.
The camp office in Lviv is coordinating the evacuation of Indians to Poland and Hungary while the one at Chernivtsi would facilitate exit to Romania.
