PM Modi Speaks To Father Of Student Killed In Ukraine, Rahul Gandhi Urges Govt To Speed Up Evacuation

Naveen was killed amid heavy shelling in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. He was a native of Chalageri in Karnataka's Haveri district.

PM Narendra Modi spoke to the father of Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged the government to speed up the evacuation process | Photos: Getty Images

New Delhi: Politicians cutting across party lines condoled the death of an Indian student in Kharkiv city of war-torn Ukraine, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urging the government to speed up the evacuation process.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to the father of Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, a fourth-year medical student studying in Kharkiv National Medical University. Official sources said Modi offered his heartfelt condolences to the family following the tragedy.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked the Centre to draw up a strategy for the safe evacuation of all stranded Indians.

Offering condolences to the family and friends of the deceased student, Rahul tweeted, “Received the tragic news of an Indian student Naveen losing his life in Ukraine. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.” 

“I reiterate, GOI needs a strategic plan for safe evacuation. Every minute is precious,” he said.

Received the tragic news of an Indian student Naveen losing his life in Ukraine.

My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

I reiterate, GOI needs a strategic plan for safe evacuation.

Every minute is precious.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 1, 2022

Naveen was killed amid heavy shelling in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. He was a native of Chalageri in Karnataka's Haveri district.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai said all efforts would be made to bring back the mortal remains of Naveen. 

"Shocked on death of Naveen Gyanagoudar, student from Karnataka, in bomb shelling in Ukraine. My deep condolences to the family. May his soul rest in peace. We are constantly in touch with MEA and will make all efforts to bring back his mortal remains," Bommai said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also expressed his grief over the unfortunate incident and urged the Centre to bring back Indians stranded in Ukraine at the earliest and provide them with all help.

“Feel terrible to hear this news. Prayers for his family. Pray for the safety of all other Indians stranded and hope they will be back home soon. Hope the conflict will soon come to an end,” he tweeted. 

Feel terrible to hear this news. Prayers for his family. Pray for the safety of all other Indians stranded and hope they will be back home soon. Hope the conflict will soon come to an end. https://t.co/aHq7F8Nu8m

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 1, 2022

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot asked the government to hold talks at the highest level to ensure safe evacuation of Indians. “The news of the death of Indian student Mr. Naveen in Kharkiv, Ukraine is saddening. I again request the Government of India to take out all the Indians safely from Ukraine by holding talks at the highest level. Indians should not be left on their own in the circumstances of Ukraine,” he wrote. 

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यूक्रेन के खारकीव में भारतीय छात्र श्री नवीन की मृत्यु का समाचार दुखद है। मैं भारत सरकार से पुन: निवेदन करता हूं कि उच्चतम स्तर पर वार्ता कर सभी भारतीयों को यूक्रेन से सुरक्षित बाहर निकाला जाए। यूक्रेन की परिस्थितियों में भारतीयों को अपने हाल पर नहीं छोड़ा जाना चाहिए।

 

- Ashok Gehlot (@gehlotashok) 1 Mar 2022

Under Operation Ganga, nine flights have already brought back several Indians stuck in Ukraine. Seven more flights, on Wednesday, will bring other Indian nationals stranded there.