VASCO/PANAJI
Two Goan students stranded in Ukraine on Tuesday landed safely in Goa, making them the first set of Goans to be evacuated from the country embroiled in war with Russia.
Rupal Gosavi and Rachel Gomes (Davorlim) arrived at the Dabolim airport and were welcomed by Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho.
A visibly relieved Gosavi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on her arrival, after her long and stressful experience of being evacuated from Ukraine.
Speaking to media persons at Dabolim Airport, Gosavi said she was happy to be back home.
“At last, I have reached Goa safely. They (embassy officials) got a list from the University and contacted us directly. There was not much panic where I was staying, but we had come back for safety reasons,” said Gosavi.
“The place I was staying was safe till now and I crossed the border within one day. I thank our Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant as I have reached here safely because of them.”
“The Indian embassy was so helpful to us. The arrangements were good in Romania and at the border,” Gosavi added.
Rachel Gomes, who was studying medicine in Ukraine was part of a group, who were fortunate enough to leave the country along with her colleagues on February 16 just days before the Russian forces invaded Ukraine.
Rachel told The Goan that she and her group of friends had left Ukraine around February 16 when Russia was beating the war drums around that time. “I along with some of my colleagues decided to leave Ukraine as there were reports of an imminent Russian attack on the country. We had to travel in the country before taking a flight to Sharjah”, she said.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, who welcomed Rupal Gosavi at Dabolim airport late Tuesday evening, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing back the Goan students as part of Operation Ganga.
“I am confident that we will be successful in bringing back all Goans and other Indians stranded in Ukraine,” said Godinho, while reminding reporters that he had arrived at Dabolim airport and was commenting in his individual capacity as the election code of conduct was still in force.
