It is a nightmarish situation for thousands of families in India, who have been desperately trying to get their children who are stuck in the war in Ukraine out of the country.
As the Russian military action that began on Thursday entered its second day the parents are worried as more and more Ukrainian cities are coming heavy bombardment from Russian troops.
India's efforts to evacuate its citizens from the conflict zone suffered a major jolt on Thursday after Ukraine closed its airspace.
India had just two evacuation flights till now, which brought back some 400 students from Ukraine.
An Air India flight that was enroute to Ukraine on Thursday was forced to turn back after the closure of the airspace.
While the Indian Embassy in Ukraine says it is exploring alternative arrangements to evacuate its citizens, those stuck there say they are worried.
"We came to Ukraine for studies. We are requesting the Government and our Embassies to take us back to India as soon as possible," two Indian students who are stuck in Ukraine told ANI.
In several videos posted online, students said they have not received any help from the Embassy.
Malavika Sunil, a third-year medical student, studying at Bogomolets National Medical University in Kyiv, Ukraine who reached India before the war broke out said many of her friends are still stuck there.
"A few of my friends, who are still stranded in Ukraine, have heard an explosion nearby and as of now they are all safe," she told ANI.
"I am still in touch with a few friends there. The situation worsened after Thursday's bombing. It is difficult for them to move out of the apartments amidst the bombing taking place all over the place. They have to arrange documents, go out and withdraw cash, purchase essentials, and moreover, there are long queues outside all the stores," she said.
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Thursday that Indian Air Force is ready to airlift nationals stranded in Ukraine, along with commercial aircraft.
"Ministry of External Affairs is in touch with the Ministry of Defence. We have told them that we will need provisions for airlift. In that case, the IAF can go along with commercial aircraft... All options are on the table," said Shringla.
He also said that India's topmost priority is safety and security of Indian nationals and their evacuation.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that nearly 2,000 people from Haryana, mostly students, were stuck in Ukraine and he was in touch with Ministry of External Affairs on this issue.
Khattar also said the MEA had already set up a control room, while in Chandigarh, a control room has been set up by the state government where people from Haryana can contact on WhatsApp number 92123-14595. They can also reach Foreign Cooperation Department of Haryana government over email -- mailto:contactusatfcd@gmail.com.
Maharashtra minister Uday Samant has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to make arrangements for the safe return of 1,200 students from the state, who are currently studying in Ukraine.
Other states too have opened help desks to help students and their parents in India for a safe evacuation.
MEA has launched a 24-hour helpline to assist Indian students caught up in the ongoing war. A 24-hour control room has been set up in Delhi and the helpline numbers are +911123012113, +911123914104, +911123017905 and 1800118797.
The Indian Embassy in Kyiv also issued an advisory to Indian nationals stuck in Ukraine. It said that since the Ukrainian airspace was closed, the schedule of special flights has been cancelled.
It also said that alternate arrangements are being made and that information will be conveyed soon so that Indians could relocate to the western part of the country.
Additional helpline numbers for Indians stuck in Ukraine: +38 0997300428, +38 0997300483, +38 0933980327, +38 0635917881, +38 0935046170.
Indian students in Ukraine needing?assistance?can also send emails at this address: situationroom@mea.gov.in.
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