Battered by the Russian invasion, Ukraine is withstanding one of the toughest periods in history now. With bomb blasts taking place in short intervals, terrified people are struggling to find safe zones to hide. Forget basic needs like food and water, people in Ukraine are striving for survival in the nation gripped by war tensions. In one such shelling in Kharkiv that took place in the early hours of March 1, an Indian student identified as Naveen S G lost his life. Naveen hailed from Haveri in Karnataka. Standing with his family, the Ministry of External Affairs has expressed its deepest condolences.
With profound sorrow we confirm that an Indian student lost his life in shelling in Kharkiv this morning. The Ministry is in touch with his family.
We convey our deepest condolences to the family.
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) March 1, 2022
Also Read: Sikh Man Offers Langar On Train To Students Leaving Ukraine
Karnataka Student Losses Life In Ukraine Shelling
As per reports, Naveen was a fourth-year student at Kharkiv National Medical University. The shelling happened when he had stepped out to buy food. As reported by Times of India, Naveen’s friends have stated that students visited the supermarkets for buying food and groceries between 3 PM and 6 AM in batches when the curfew was lifted. Some other students have unveiled that they are living in fear without much help from the authorities.
Also Read: Here’s How The Russia-Ukraine Conflict Could Impact Travel
Immediate Response Urged From Ukraine And Russia For Passage Of Indian Nationals
Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi has stated that the Foreign Secretary is urging conveys in Russia and Ukraine to immediately respond to the demand for urgent safe passage of Indians stranded in Kharkiv and other regions of conflict.
Foreign Secretary is calling in Ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to reiterate our demand for urgent safe passage for Indian nationals who are still in Kharkiv and cities in other conflict zones.
Similar action is also being undertaken by our Ambassadors in Russia and Ukraine.
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) March 1, 2022
Advisory to Indians in Kyiv
All Indian nationals including students are advised to leave Kyiv urgently today. Preferably by available trains or through any other means available.
— India in Ukraine (@IndiainUkraine) March 1, 2022
Also, at 12 noon IST on March 1, the Indian embassy in Ukraine called out students with an advisory to leave Kyiv urgently by available trains preferably or other means of transport. Meanwhile, Indians travelling from Ukraine to India do not need to undergo RT-PCR tests now.