IMA urges PM Modi to help Indian Medical Students in Ukraine, "Avoid unnecessary Movement", advises Embassy

Apart from requesting the Government to extend financial support to the students who cannot afford expensive travel cost, the association has further suggested to set up a dedicated Helpdesk for this purpose.

"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 cannot travel due to adverse conditions there. Even the day-to-day rations are dwindling, creating severe hardships for their survival," the letter directed to the Prime Minister mentioned.

Referring to the fact that the parents of those stranded students are anxious and worried about the safety and well-being of their children, IMA in the letter further mentioned, "IMA is well aware of the various efforts taken by our 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."

IMA requested the Government to help the students financially and make all possible efforts to get them out of the situation, and further opined, "A dedicated Helpdesk for medical students should also be created."

Also Read: India fears for its children as thousands of MBBS students stuck in Ukraine

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that around 20,000 Indians are currently staying in Ukraine including thousands of medical students who are pursuing their medical education in the Ukraine based medical universities.

Meanwhile the situation has worsened after the attack by Russia and the students had to wake up to air raid sirens and a suddenly well-lit sky. They had no choice but to stay in the bunker being cooped up with their classmates. Soon, social media was filled with videos and images of Indian medical students pleading for their safe return.

Similar requests are being made by the family members of the medical students stuck in Ukraine. The father of a third-year medical student, who hails from Karnataka's Yaraguppi village of Kundgol Taluk told ANI, "We are in touch with the Embassy. I believe that the government would extend help. I have a request from the government, please bring back all the residents of Karnataka and the rest of the country safely back to India."

Explaining the situation, her daughter is facing in Ukraine amid the tensions, he said that they have been sent to stay in a bunker for their safety and are not allowed to go out.

Recently, ANI mentioned how a group of 40 Indian medical students of Daynlo Halytsky Medical University, Lviv started walking towards the Ukraine-Poland border for evacuation. They were dropped around 8 kms from the border point by a college bus.

In the two photos shared by ANI on its Twitter handle, a group of students can be seen walking in a line carrying their belongings in the backpacks.

However, in the latest advisory, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv has mentioned, "All Indian Citizens in Ukraine are advised to not move to any of the border posts without prior consideration with Government of India officials at the border posts (helpline numbers established) and the Emergency numbers of Embassy of India, Kyiv."

"The situation at various border checkpoints is sensitive and the Embassy is working continuously with our Embassies in our neighbouring countries for coordinated evacuation of our citizens. Embassy is finding it increasingly difficult to help the crossing of those Indian nationals who reach border checkpoints without prior Intimation.

Please note, staying in western cities of Ukraine with access of water, food, accommodation and basic amenities is relatively safer and advisable compared to reaching border check points without being fully abreast of the situation," further mentioned the advisory.

"All those currently in the Eastern sector are requested to continue to remain in their current places of residence until further Instructions, maintain calm, and stay indoors or in shelters as much as possible, without whatever food, water and amenities available and remain patient. Avoid unnecessary movement," it added.

About 16,000 Indians, mostly students, are stranded in Ukraine as Russia's invasion of the East European country entered its second day on Friday. Of the students, many studying medicine in Kharkiv and Kyiv, about 2,500 are from Gujarat and 2,320 from Kerala.

As the situation has worsened, the students are unable to exchange their currency because Ukrainian stores have stopped trading dollars. The Indian mission in Kyiv was planning to relocate Indian nationals to the western border and has advised them to keep their passport and necessary documents with them all the time.

India Today adds that the first batch of Indian Medical students who were stuck in the war-struck Ukraine is on its way home as they boarded a special evacuation flight from Bucharest in Romania on Saturday.

Relieved, after travelling for nearly twelve hours, one of the students expressed her gratitude before India Today for being in the Western part of Ukraine, which was away from the Russian airstrikes and shelling.

We felt safe but at a point we were scared and our parents were really worried for us. But our university and the Indian embassy was there for us and rescued us as soon as possible," she said.

PTI adds that demanding the safe return of their kin, the family members of Indians stranded in Ukraine staged a protest near the Embassy of the Russian Federation in central Delhi here on Friday, police said.

According to police, around 15 to 20 people came near the Shanti Path around 5.15 pm, but they were not allowed to move ahead. They submitted an MoU at the Ministry of External Affairs and later dispersed from the area peacefully after an hour, a senior police officer said. The protesters were carrying placards mentioning -- 'We need peace for Ukraine as Indians are also there', 'Save students stuck in Ukraine' etc.