We’re Scared and Want to Return Home: Indians Stuck in Ukraine

“Our parents are worried, they call us 7-8 times a day and would ask the same thing over and over again.”

Indian students in Ukraine have been stranded because of the coronavirus lockdown.

(Photo Courtesy: Altered by The Quint)

Video Editor: Kunal Mehra
Producers: Arshi Qureshi & Zijah Sherwani

We are more than 100 Indian students who are stuck in Ukraine. Three of us – Tarun Mahan, Firoz Ahmed and Ateeque Rahman – are studying at Odessa Medical University. We have been in self-isolation since 12 March and our classes were suspended on 13 March. Students here are strictly following quarantine in hostels but we have no idea how and when will we able to go back to our country. The lockdown has been extended and is expected to end on 24 April.

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We miss our family, and our country. Our parents are worried, they call us 7-8 times a day and ask the same thing over and over again – whether we have eaten or not, whether we are taking proper preventive measures, they advise us not to venture out. It’s heartbreaking when they ask if there is any hope for us to return home and be with them. They are just concerned about our well-being.

We are scared for our lives. Even under the lockdown situation, people are not following orders. Intercity transportation is still working and people are travelling everywhere, hence risking infecting others.

We live in a hostel with other students. We don’t have any other option but to cook together in the common kitchen area.(Photo Courtesy: My Reporter)

We live in a hostel with other students, and have a common kitchen area. We don’t have any other option but to cook together which is risky owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conditions are hygienic but the medical staff is unable to provide us with proper medical facilities; we do not have enough masks and sanitisers and shops are running out of stock.

Language Is the Biggest Barrier

Since we are not fluent in Ukrainian or Russian, it becomes difficult for us to communicate with health professionals. If we need some medical attention, language acts as a barrier and we are unable to fully express our health concerns. In case anybody gets hospitalised, we don’t know what will we do and how will we be treated.

‘We Want to Come Back’

We have no idea when this lockdown will end. We are scared and our only request is please do something for all Indian students who are stuck here. We appeal to the Indian government, the Indian Foreign Affairs ministry to please look into the situation and evacuate us as soon as possible.

We have full faith in the Indian government, we know the External Affairs ministry will evacuate us before the situation turns worse. We want to come back home!

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