Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Mar 5: On a blissful Saturday, Dr Dhananjay Bagli and his family let out a sigh of relief after their son reached home from the war-hit Ukraine.

Rohan D B, son of Dr Dhananjay Bagli, senior scientist of Brahmavar agricultural science center, finally reached home 10 days after the war began between Russia and Ukraine.

Speaking to the media Rohan said, "We were shifted to the bunkers as soon as the war began. We had stocked food for a few days but as there were around 9 people in our group, the food consumption was high. On the first day of the war itself, the Wi-Fi facility was stopped. Shelling took place frequently. Ukrainians were prepared and had built bunkers to stay in their apartments. Day-by-day, the attack was increasing. Finally on March 1, we decided to move to the border. We boarded a train to Lyviv from Kharkiv. We had to travel for 1,300 km to reach the border. The train journey was about 22 hours. Many nations had arranged trains for their students including Pakistan.”

Speaking about the Indian government's evacuation efforts, Rohan said, "The Indian embassy in Ukraine notified us really late. We would have left Ukraine earlier, if they had informed us about the possibility of war. A week before the war began, the USA gave a 48-hour deadline for their nationals to leave Ukraine with strict warnings. But no such action was initiated from the Indian embassy in Ukraine. Transportation was another major issue we faced. I thank the embassy and Indian government for helping me reach home from the Poland border. I request the government to evacuate all the remaining students and Indian nationals as soon as possible. They need to arrange transportation to reach the borders. Body of my friend Naveen should also be brought back home as soon as possible.”

Sharing his thoughts about Naveen, the Indian student who lost his life in the shelling in Ukraine, Rohan said, "Naveen was like my younger brother. We were really close. He had moved out of the bunker during a safe time. Normally at around 8 am, no attack takes place as far as I know. From 6 am to 11 am, cities will be peaceful. But on that day, it was a surprise attack. He was about to move to the border the very next day.”

Dhananjay, father of Rohan also thanked the government, officials in the embassy, district administration and all the officials for helping him bring his son back home.

Udupi deputy commissioner M Kurma Rao, and additional deputy commissioner Sadashiva Prabhu also visited the family and enquired about the situation on ground.

Speaking to the media, DC Kurma Rao said, "Today, Rohan has reached home safely. Two more students from our district are yet to reach the homeland. We have been in touch with the parents of these students. Anifred Ridly D'Souza has already reached Poland and is safe. Glenwell Fernandes is also staying in a place advised by the embassy and is safe. They will reach their homes soon. There is nothing to worry about.”