The prospect of war looming over Ukraine has its impact felt in Odisha.
The family members of Suraj Biswas who live in Chamakhandi area of Ganjam district have been on the tenterhooks. They have been living each moment in fear and apprehension ever since they heard of the escalation of military tension between Ukraine and Russia. Suraj is pursuing his medical courses in Ukraine.
The worried family is in regular touch with Suraj these days. At the same time, they remain glued to their TV set to keep track of the developing situation in Ukraine with bated breath. They are also offering prayers for the safety of their son. They said they learnt from Suraj that the Embassy of India in Ukraine has already asked Indians in Ukraine, specifically students, to leave the country if they didn’t have specific urgency for staying back.
“When push comes to shove, he should return home for his own safety,” said Suraj’s father Samar Biswas.
In the backdrop of the fears of a Russian invasion, Sheikh Basit Ali’s family, living in Jaypura area of Kendrapara town, are worried about his career. Ali is a third year student at Kyiv Medical University in Ukraine and is at home now.
He had returned home three months ago owning to the pandemic situation over there. Presently, he is hesitant to go back to Ukraine.
“We want our Central government and the embassy should provide all support to me so that I can complete my MBBS courses without any hurdles,” said Ali.
However, what came as a light at the end of the tunnel for these two families is when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia didn’t want war in Europe. The worried families hope normalcy should return soon in Ukraine and their children could continue their studies without fear.