Odisha students stuck in Ukraine as parents pray for their safe return

Bhubaneswar: Parents of Odia students studying in Ukraine are a worried lot as Russia has today launched a military operation against the neighbouring country with reports of casualties coming in from various national and international media outlets.

As per a rough estimate, over 100 Odia students are stuck in the crisis-hit country at various cities. Back home, their parents are praying for their safe homecoming with Indian Government and the foreign mission stepping up efforts for their safety.

Around 50-60 medical students from Odisha studying in V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv woke up to a tensed morning today owing the multiple bombings in the city.

Roshan Behera of Kuchinda in Sambalpur district, a fourth year MBBS student who has been studying in the university since 2018, said: “We heard sound of explosions thrice as early as 5.30 in the morning. Again, one explosion at 7.20 am and another at 12.30 pm were heard. We are living under constant fear and are hoping to be rescued. In view of the impending war, we had stocked up essentials. For the time being, it’s adequate but we are not sure for how long it will last. Our parents and relatives are making frantic calls to know about the scene here.”

Similarly, parents of 22 medicos from Rourkela and Dhenkanal too are eagerly waiting for evacuation of their children. The mess for the hostel boarders has been shut for indefinite period which has caused inconvenience to the inmates.

They have been asked by local administration to move to nearest bomb shelters.

Around 200 Indian students were accommodated at a school near Indian Embassy in Kyiv, today.

The Indian embassy in Ukraine shared a list of temporary bomb shelters created by the local administration with stranded Indian students amid intensified bombing by Russia.

The embassy in an advisory stated that Ukraine is under martial law, which has made movement difficult.

“For those students who are stranded without a place of stay in Kyiv, Mission is in touch with establishments to put them up,” the advisory stated.

It further said, “They are aware that certain places are hearing air sirens and bomb warnings. In case you are faced with such a situation, google maps has a list of nearby bomb shelters, many of which are located in underground metros.”

The embassy also stated that they are making all possible measures to for evacuation.

“While Mission is identifying possible solution to the situation, please be aware of your surroundings, be safe, do not leave your homes unless necessary and carry your documents with you at all times,” the embassy stated.

(with agency inputs)