New Delhi: As several Indian nationals stuck in Ukraine and its bordering countries due to the Russian aggression return home, many Union Ministers as a gesture of support were seen present at airports today welcoming them with slogans like "Bharat Mata ki Jai".
Union Minister Smriti Irani in a video shared by news agency ANI can be seen welcoming evacuated students in an IndiGo airlines aircraft in different regional languages. Speaking into the public address system she hailed them for their courage and also thanked the flight crew for their help.
Rescue of Indian nationals is being carried out under the "Operation Ganga" launched by the Indian government. And in order to further step up the efforts, a group of ministers has been appointed by the government to coordinate with Ukraine and its neighbours.
Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is looking after evacuation efforts in Romania and Moldova, Hardeep Singh Puri is incharge of Hungary, while Kiren Rijiju and Gen (Retd) VK Singh will work with officials in Slovakia and Poland, respectively.
Due to the conflict, Ukraine shut off its airspace and the Indian government had to urge thousands of Indians to take refuge in bordering countries from where they would be brought back to India through special flights.
Meanwhile, India sent three IAF aircraft to Poland, Hungary and Romania on Wednesday carrying humanitarian assistance like Medicines, blankets and tents.