The tragic news of a 21-year-old Indian medical student, Naveen Shekhrappa, being killed in Ukraine has sent a wave of sorrow across the country. The Karnataka boy was killed in Kharkiv on Tuesday when he stepped out of the bunker to buy food. He was standing in a queue when the blast occurred. “Place an Indian flag,” was the last advice Naveen’s father gave him. This is the first Indian causality in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Prime Minister Modi spoke to Naveen’s father and offered his condolences to the family. Meanwhile, the government is gearing up its efforts to evacuate thousands of Indian students trapped in Ukraine.

Contents hide
1. “He Has Been Taken to the Morgue,” a call from Naveen’s phone informed
2. Foreign Secretary in Touch with Russian and Ukrainian Ambassadors
3. Leave Kyiv Urgently, Indian Embassy Advises
4. Government Accelerates Operation Ganga
5. Why is Kharkiv a Crooked Cake?
6. Naveen’s Last Video Call

“He Has Been Taken to the Morgue,” a call from Naveen’s phone informed

Naveen hailed from Haveri district in Karnataka and was a last-year medical student. He, along with other Indian students, had holed up in a bunker below his flat since the Russian assault began.

Pooja Praharaj, a student coordinator at the university, informed, “one of his friends received a call from his mobile. At the other end was an Ukrainian national who said there has been a blast and he has been to the morgue in an ambulance.

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Foreign Secretary in Touch with Russian and Ukrainian Ambassadors

Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson, External Affairs Ministry, shared the unfortunate news through a tweet. He added that Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla was in touch with the ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to ensure safe passage for Indian nationals stuck in conflict zones.

Leave Kyiv Urgently, Indian Embassy Advises

The Indian Embassy in Ukraine advised Indian citizens on Tuesday to leave Kyiv urgently by any means available. Special evacuation trains have been arranged by Ukraine to evacuate stranded people to the western borders.

However, many videos showing mistreatment by officials at railway stations have surfaced around

16,000 students are still stuck in Ukraine while 9,000 have been evacuated.

Also Read: 4, Including Medical Student, Actor, Held for Sexually Assaulting Minor After Getting her Addicted to Drugs

Government Accelerates Operation Ganga

The gravity of the issue is clearly visible in the urgency shown by the Indian government to evacuate Indian students.

PM Modi called his fourth meeting on Tuesday over the Ukraine crisis. Earlier, four ministers were dispatched to different countries bordering Ukraine to smoothen coordination in the evacuation process.

Besides, three more aircraft flew to Budapest (Hungary’s capital) and Bucharest (Romania’s capital) on Tuesday.

Also Read: PM Modi Invokes IAF to Rescue Indians as Situation in Ukraine Intensifies, C-17 Aircrafts to be Deployed

Why is Kharkiv a Crooked Cake?

Kharkiv is the second largest city in Ukraine and is one of the major targets of Russian attacks. Reputed for its medical education, Kharkiv accommodates bulk of Indian students.

While students in western parts of Ukraine are reaching the borders of countries like Hungary, Romania, etc. students in Kharkiv are trapped due to heavy shelling.

On Tuesday, a team of Indian officials reached the Russian city of Belgorod, which is 40 km from Kharkiv. However, they are unable to help the trapped students and are waiting for a pause in the fighting to resume the mission.

Naveen’s Last Video Call

 

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