Russia-Ukraine crisis: Embassy didn't contact students, says deceased Indian's father
The father of Indian student Naveen Shekharappa, who was killed in a Russian attack in Ukraine's Kharkiv on Tuesday, has alleged that no one from the Indian embassy reached out to stranded Indian students in the city. A resident of Karnataka's Haveri district, Naveen was reportedly killed when he stepped out of his bunker to exchange currency and fetch some food.
First Indian casualty in Russia-Ukraine conflict
Naveen was a fourth-year MBBS student at the Kharkiv National Medical University. This is the first Indian casualty in the conflict that occurred on the sixth day of Russia's full-fledged invasion of Ukraine. Notably, Kharkiv is located near the Russian border and hundreds of Indian students are still stranded there. Contacting these students has proven challenging due to increasing attacks by the Russian army.
'Scored 97% but couldn't get a medical seat'
Naveen had scored 97% in the Pre-University Certificate (PUC) exam but failed to secure a medical seat, his father said. "Despite scoring 97% in PUC, my son could not secure a medical seat in the state. To get a medical seat one has to give crores of rupees and students are getting the same education abroad spending less money," ANI quoted him as saying.
PM Modi condoled Naveen's death
Expressing grief over the youth's death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Tuesday talked to his family over the phone and offered condolences. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also spoke to Naveen's family. Bommai assured that every effort would be made to bring back the boy's body to India. Notably, India has amplified efforts to safely evacuate its citizens from Ukraine.
Why do Indian students prefer studying in Ukraine?
The six-year MBBS program in Ukraine is significantly cheaper in comparison to private medical institutions in India. Additionally, several medical schools in Ukraine do not take an entrance exam to provide a seat, making it a popular choice for Indian students.
Controversy over minister's remark
Recently, a controversy had erupted after Union Minister Prahlad Joshi said 90% of medical students studying abroad fail to clear qualifying exams in India. He later added it wasn't the "right time to debate why students are moving out to study medicine." The comment received a sharp reaction from the Opposition, with Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala calling it an insult to Indian students.
India amps up evacuation efforts under Operation Ganga
Meanwhile, India evacuated 1,377 of its citizens from war-hit Ukraine under the flagship Operation Ganga mission in the last 24 hours, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar said on Wednesday. "Six flights have now departed for India in the last 24 hours, including the first flights from Poland. Carried back 1,377 more Indian nationals from Ukraine," Jaishankar tweeted.
