NEW DELHI: Over 1000 Indian MBBS students who were evacuated from war-hit Ukraine in 2021 have resumed their studies after Uzbekistan opened the door for them. The Indian Embassy in Ukraine has approached the Samarkand State Medical University in Uzbekistan to enquire if the affected students can seek a transfer.
The Indian government has launched ‘Operation Ganga’ to bring back the stranded Indians in Ukraine. As per the government, a total of Indian nationals were evacuated under the initiative. As per reports, around 19,000 Indian students were studying in Ukraine when the Russian invasion began in February 2021.
Amit, who hails from Begusarai of Bihar was among the people who were evacuated. He spent one night in a basement in Ukraine when Russia attacked.
“I thought I wouldn’t make it and would either die or will be stranded in Ukraine. Once I was back home in India, me and my family were relieved but then began the never-ending cycle of uncertainty about what was next. I had finished three years of my MBBS in Ukraine and to start all over again or pursue something else was not an option I wanted to consider. I later decided to move to Uzbekistan,” Amit told PTI.
Another student, Tanwi Wadhva, from Punjab’s Ferozpur who has continued her studies in Uzbekistan said “I attended online classes for eight months. We were hopeful that the war would end and we would go back. Some students even went back from different routes but I didn’t want to take that risk. I evaluated all options from Georgia to Poland and decided to come to Uzbekistan. The university admitted us a semester back, I was initially apprehensive about the loss of one semester but later I changed my mind and it was worth the decision.”
Divyansh from Meerut who also studies in the same university said that the varsities has offered teaching and learning in English.
“Not all countries have universities which offer English as a medium of instruction. So that was a very important factor. Quality of life is similar in Ukraine and Samarkand but this place feels safer now,” he said.
