Third batch of Keralites arrives from Ukraine

Thiruvananthapuram: The third batch of students arrived from Ukraine here on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, the first batch of students walked into the embrace of parents and friends.

The Kerala government officials also stood by receiving students who safely reached home to Kerala from besieged Ukraine.

The first batch of 11 students arrived in Kochi airport after their relatives spent hours on the edge just as the war raged in Ukraine. Four students arrived in Kozhikode as well.

Kerala government sources says that, 83 Keralite students have reached New Delhi and Mumbai, according to IANS.

One of the students Athira coming from Kyiv thanked Indian embassy for evacuation, and bringing them home safe.

"We expect all the stranded students in Ukraine to be brought back home at the earliest and hope that the Government of India will do that with immediate effect. We faced several ordeals within the bunkers without food and water and thank god for the safe return home," she told IANS.

Athira said her studies would not be affected with classes continuing online and practical would take place once students returned to Ukraine.

Another student Naveen, who is pursuing MBBS for the third year, said "I will return back to Ukraine once the situation becomes normal."

Venu Rajamony, Officer on Special Duty to the Kerala government in New Delhi, appealed to students from Kerala in Ukraine not travel to border cities of Ukraine unless they message from Indian Embassy there.