“If a ship is strong, the ocean’s tides do not bother it”
World wide around 1% of Indian population live in other countries mounting to 1.2 crore citizens. With improving economic conditions and competition people began to move to different parts of the world in search of opportunities for survival. When there is untoward catastrophic events in these countries, it became responsibility of the country to ensure safety and protection. Presently world is noticing war between Ukraine -Russia where in micro issues are been magnified and ego clashes between the countries leading to war. There are nearly 80,000 international students who are stranded in Ukraine. Though government of India had first released its advisory on 15th Feb for citizens of India to leave the country in view of exponential increase in airfare, lack of online classes many of them couldn’t move to India.
Sudden belligerent behavior of Russia, declaration of martial law by Ukrainian government made the Indian citizens stuck in the war zones. Our PM Narendra Modi ji spoke to the presidents of both nations and requested them to maintain restraint and urged for the safety of Indian nationals. After the dialogue with Russian president Vladimir Putin, India was assured that no harm will be done to Indian nationals and was advised them to carry national flag. On a war foot, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modiji an emergency cabinet committee security meeting was held with the top officials to plan for evacuating stranded citizens of India and Operation ganga was initiated. The Indian embassy remained active and was sending regular advisories. Also to assist and coordinate in evacuation of citizens 4 cabinet ministers were send to 4 neighbouring nations- Hungary, Romania, Maldova, Poland and Slovakia .
When most of the developed countries restrained from helping their citizens stuck in Ukraine, India on a war foor mobilized all the possible routes through diplomatic ties in bringing back every citizen to India. With Ukraine air space closed we need to transport the people from the neighbouring countries. With martial law in implementation, transportation faced difficulties in mobilizing the people to the borders. Indian flag not only helped Indians but also Pakistan and Turkish students who displayed the Indian flag, raised slogans “Bharat Mata ki Jai” to move through the war zone. Khairav city which has nearly 4000 Indian students stuck in the war zone but PM Narendra Modiji discussion with Russian president helped for cease fire for a period of 6 hours on 2nd March and all the citizens were advised to move to the border.
This is not the first time under the powerful leadership of Modiji Indian citizens were evacuated at times of holocaust . Successful operations conducted were described in Table below. The largest being mission Vande bharat where 60 lakh people were brought back during the pandemic. China did its first evacuation on 5th march and the citizens were asked to pay 18,000 yuan whereas Indian government had rescued around 15,900 students via 76 flights till 6th March without charging a penny. But still few leftist media and opposition parties are making outcry without understanding the ground reality and difficulties been faced in the process of evacuation. Russia had also deployed 130 buses for evacuating students stucked in Khariv and Sumy to the border.
Once external affairs minister Late Shri Sushma Swaraj ji said “ even if you are stuck on the Mars, Indian Embassy there will help you” indicating the commitment the present government has towards its citizens . All these was possible because India is gaining strength and all world countries are looking towards India in this type of quagmires.
