Chennai: The South Indian states have started issuing helpline numbers and other assistance to help the students stranded in Ukraine amid escalating tension between the foreign country and Russia.
On February 24, the Ukrainian airspace was closed making it difficult for the evacuation of Indians.
In this backdrop, the Embassy said that they are working on other alternative arrangements and issued a list of helpline numbers for the students.
The list of helpline numbers issued by the Emabassy are +38 0997300483, +38 0997300428, +38 0933980327, +38 0635917881 and +38 0935046170.
However, on the other hand, the south Indians states have started issuing helpline numbers for students of their respective states who are stranded in Ukraine.
Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced that 5,000 students from the state are stranded in Ukraine and urged Centre to operate special flights to evacuate the Tamils.
TN CM also released the helpline numbers in a press release. The helpline numbers are:
The state's helpline number: 1070
The state nodal officer contact numbers: 944586948, 9600023645, 9940256444 and 044-28515288.
The helpline of Podigai Illam in New Delhi is 9289516716.
Telangana
Telangana has helpline control rooms set up at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi and the state's secretariat.
The helpline to reach Telangana Bhavan is +91 7042566955, +91 9949351270 and +91 9654663661.
The helpline to connect with the Telangana Secretariat in Hyderbad is 040-23220603, +91 9440854433.
Andhra Pradesh
The state government said that around 4,000 Telugu speakers are stranded in Ukraine.
All the stranded persons from AP are told to contact Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS).
The helpline number issues by APNRTS are 0863-2340678 and +91 8500027678.
The helpline number of Andhra Pradesh is 011-23384016.
The stranded people can also contact:
P. Ravi Shanker, OSD: 9871999055
MVS Rama Rao, Assistant Commissioner: 9871990081
ASRN Saibabu, Assistant Commissioner: 987199943
Kerala
Kerala was the first state to set up a special cell through the Department of Non-Resident Keralites (NORKA) about 10 days ago to help the stranded nationals.
The NORKA can be reached at 1800 425 3939 or ceo.norka@kerala.gov.in.
Karnataka
Karnataka government appointed Dr Manoj Rajan as the nodal officer to oversee the evacuation of the students of the state and the functioning of the helpline number.
The state's emergency centre can be reached at 080-1070 and 080-22340676.