| Operation Ganga | |
|---|---|
| Operational scope | Humanitarian relief |
| Planned by | Ministry of External Affairs |
| Objective | Evacuation assistance to Indian citizens from Ukraine and those who have moved to neighbouring countries amidst the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Date | 27 February 2022 |
| Executed by | Multiple government departments of India and private fliers Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet[1] with the support and coordination of the government and embassies of Romania, Hungary, Poland, Moldova, Slovakia. |
Operation Ganga is an ongoing operation by the Government of India to provide humanitarian assistance to evacuate Indian citizens from Ukraine amidst the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. This involves assistance to those who have crossed over to the neighboring countries of Romania, Hungary, Poland, Moldova, Slovakia.[2][3]
Background
Ukraine government statistics from its Ministry of Education and Science place just over 18,000 Indian students in the country.[4] Hotspots for Indian students in Ukraine included Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Bogomolets National Medical University and Kyiv Medical University of UAFM.[5]
About
The Indian government through its Embassy in Kyiv issued advisories before the conflict through its communication channels.[6] It had a mixed impact.[6] Approximately 4000 Indian nationals left Ukraine before the closure of airspace over the affected areas on the morning of 24 February.[7] The first Indian government advisory was issued on 15 February which was followed by stronger advisories.[8] As it was becoming increasingly difficult to provide assistance to the growing numbers the Embassy, on 26 February, advised students not to go to border posts without prior coordination from the embassy.[9] Further, western Ukraine was relatively safer and it was advisable to stay put.[9]
The first flight took place on 26 February from Bucharest in Romania and reached Delhi on 27 February at 2:55 am Indian Standard Time (IST).[10][11] By 27 February 2022 (Day 3), 469 students were evacuated.[11] The evacuations were coordinated with COVID-19 protocols at airports.[8]
Some Indian students faced trouble while attempting to cross the Ukraine-Poland border.[12] Others faced problems withdrawing and exchanging money.[5] Bunkers in buildings in Ukraine provide shelter for those unable to travel to evacuation points.[5] In India, the Russian Embassy in the capital saw small scale protests on 25 February by some of the families whose relatives haven't been able to get themselves out.[13] Indian students were less prepared for how to react to the escalating military situation as compared to the Ukrainians (Russo-Ukrainian War).[14]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to dispatch four Union Ministers to countries bordering Ukraine to coordinate and ease the evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine. Jyotiraditya Scindia was incharge of coordination from Romania and Moldova, Kiren Rijiju from Slovakia, Hardeep Singh Puri from Hungary and General V. K. Singh from Poland.[15]
Routes
From Ukraine
- Land routes to Romania, Hungary and Poland.
From Romania
From Hungary
From Moldova
- Land routes to Romania[17]
See also
- Evacuations of Indians
- Evacuations by other countries
References
- ↑ "Russia-Ukraine war: Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet fly to evacuate stranded Indians back home". Free Press Journal. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ↑ "IndiGo to join Operation Ganga to evacuate stranded Indian nationals in Ukraine". India Today. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ↑ "All you need to know Operation Ganga, launched to evacuate Indians from Ukraine". The Indian Express. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ↑ Pandey, Nikhil, ed. (27 February 2022). "Why is Ukraine such a popular choice for Indian medical students?". WION. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "'Dollar exchange stopped; no way to return': Indian students in Ukraine narrate their ordeal". The Tribune India. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kalra, Shyna (23 February 2022). "For Indian Students in Ukraine, It's a War Between Expensive Airfare and Learning Losses". News18. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ↑ "Operation Ganga: Air India's second flight carrying 250 Indian evacuees from Ukraine lands in Delhi". Firstpost. Press Trust of India. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ↑ 8.0 8.1 Arnimesh, Shanker (27 February 2022). "Bouquets, PM's message for students back from Ukraine — how BJP pushed its machinery into 'Op Ganga'". ThePrint. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kumar, Akhil, ed. (26 February 2022). ""Don't Go To Border Posts Without...": Advisory From Indian Embassy In Ukraine". NDTV. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ↑ Tripathi, Neha LM (27 February 2022). "Indian students return from Ukraine, recall their struggle". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Govt launches 'Operation Ganga'; devises plan to evacuate 15,000 Indians". Livemint. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ↑ Mishra, Shivani; Jeelani, Gulam (27 February 2022). "Russia-Ukraine conflict | Indian students in Ukraine recount ordeal on Poland border, many not allowed to leave, others beaten up". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ↑ "Families Of Indians Stuck In Ukraine Protest Near Russian Embassy In Delhi". NDTV. Press Trust of India. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ↑ Aswani, Tarushi (27 February 2022). "'How Do We Reach the Borders?': Indians in Ukraine Struggle to Escape Russian Invasion". The Wire (India). Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ↑ "PM Narendra Modi sends four Ministers to countries bordering Ukraine". The Hindu. 28 February 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ↑ "'Operation Ganga': Fourth Evacuation Flight Carrying 198 Indians Leaves for Delhi from Bucharest". News18. PTI. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ↑ Dutta, Sharangee; Goswami, Sohini. "Moldova new route for evacuation, 1,396 Indians brought back since conflict began: MEA". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
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