PANAJI
Even as BJP leaders in Goa and the rest of the country hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching a massive repatriation expedition 'Operation Ganga' to extricate Indian students stuck in war-torn Ukraine, Goa NSUI on Wednesday claimed on the contrary that the plight of Indian students stuck in the European warzone was pitiable, while questioning the government's resolve to bring them home to safety.
Addressing the media after staging a protest at Azad Maidan in Panaji, Goa National Students Union of India (NSUI) president Naushad Chaudhary also said that the Indian embassy in Ukraine should take the lead, reach out to the distressed students and facilitate their journey through the troubled region to evacuation zones across the country's borders free of cost.
"Many students are hiding in hostels. Most of them are in east Ukraine and the embassy is calling them to the western border of Ukraine on their own. It is a very risky affair for students to make this journey, the embassy should take the lead and facilitate this arduous journey," Chaudhary told reporters in Panaji.
"Train or cab transportation should be arranged by the embassy so that the students can reach the border. Right now, the students are being made to pay for transportation to the border. This passage under duress should be free of cost," he said.
He also said that nearly 20,000 Indian students were stuck in Ukraine and the frequency of rescue flights was minimal, putting the lives of students who continue to be stranded in Ukraine at risk.
"At least the number of rescue flights should be increased to ensure that more and more students reach India sooner," he said.
Chaudhary also condemned comments made by BJP leaders, who he said, slandered the students stranded in Ukraine for leaving India to pursue medical studies.
"BJP leaders say why do students go abroad for medical studies? It is their right to travel anywhere for education. Getting through a medical seat in India is difficult and private colleges charge you crores here. We condemn the statement made by the BJP leaders," Chaudhary said.
