Networking key factor in view of escalating tensions
TDP chief holds Zoom meet with stranded students
Asks rescue coordinators for confidence building steps
AMARAVATI: TDP National President and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held a Zoom conference with the stranded Telugu students in Ukraine and the rescue coordinators in Europe for the second consecutive day on Saturday.
The students expressed concerns over the escalating tensions amidst absence of concrete assurance from any side for their immediate evacuation from Kyiv, Kharkov and other cities to the borders. Over 300 Telugu students reached the border with Hungary but they got stuck there due to lack of permission for passage from the Ukrainian army there.
Considering the uncertainties, Naidu advised the students to stay in their current locations and pool their resources among themselves for the sake of their immediate safety and security. They should keep in contact with the rescue coordinators through WhatsApp groups or mail to get help for food and accommodation.
Chandrababu Naidu cautioned the students once again not to pick up arguments over sensitive issues like visa hurdles and international diplomacy. They should not take sides and should maintain a stand that they came to that country as students and would like to go back home safely. Utmost caution would be required to get the required ‘safe passage’ for all the stranded Telugus there.
Naidu asked the TDP NRI Cell and Europe coordinators to get round the clock feedback from the students as a confidence building measure. As per the latest reports, passage was permitted on the Ukraine-Romania border. Once the safe evacuation channels would open up, help would be reached out to the stranded Telugus. This issue would be taken up once again with the External Affairs Ministry and Indian Embassy.
The TDP chief said five to six special trains would be required to rush all the stranded Indians in different Ukrainian cities to the borders. It would ensure safe return of all the 4,000 stranded Telugu as well. The issue would be taken up with the Indian Government. The students should not get involved in sensitive matters at the borders. They should focus only on crossing the Ukrainian border safely from where their safe return to India would not be a problem.
Naidu asked rescue coordinators in Kyiv to rush help to stranded girl students in Kharkov as they ran out of money and food supplies. He thanked the Telugu people living in European countries for coming forward to coordinate the evacuation.
A Visakhapatnam-based girl, stranded in Kyiv, narrated their problems after getting stuck in a basement. There were bombings and deafening sounds outside. The embassy officials, who promised to evacuate them two days ago, were now saying they would have to travel to the borders at their own risk.
Naidu advised the students stuck in sensitive locations like Kyiv and Kharkov not to venture out till reliable help would come. They should be cool and bold without giving any panic reactions. Any decision taken in fear and panic would only throw them in greater risk. For financial assistance, the TDP NRI Cell coordinators would respond.
The TDP chief asked some Indian students stranded in a Kyiv hotel to get financial help for food and accommodation locally. The TDP would reimburse them back home in India. The mobilisation of resources from all corners was the need of the hour.
