Kharkiv (Ukraine): In a deeply shocking news for India, a 21-year-old student, originally from Karnataka, was killed in Kharkiv shelling as the Russo-Ukraine War entered its sixth day.
A state government official said that the student was a resident of Haveri district of Karnataka. Manoj Rajan, commissioner of Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority, said, “A student, Naveen Shekharappa Gyanagoudar, a native of Chalgeri in Haveri district, died in the shelling.” Reports said that Naveen had spoken to his family a few days back and told them over a video call that he was staying in a bunker and was safe. But the youth had gone out to buy groceries in the morning today (March 1, 2022), when he became a victim of the attack.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the Indian’s death in a tweet. “It is with deep sadness that we confirm that an Indian student was killed in a gunfight in Kharkiv this morning,” the statement said. The ministry said it is in touch with the student’s family. The MEA said the foreign secretary is calling on the ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to reiterate their demand for an “immediate safe passage” for Indian nationals who are still in conflict zones in Kharkiv and other cities. “Similar actions are also being taken by our ambassadors in Russia and Ukraine,” the foreign ministry said.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai spoke to the boy’s father. Karnataka CMO said, “Every effort will be made to bring Naveen’s body back to India. The CM said that talks are being held with the officials of the Ministry of External Affairs in this matter.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “Received the sad news of the loss of an Indian student Naveen in Ukraine. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. I repeat, the Indian government needs a strategic plan for safe evacuation . Every minute is precious.”
Received the sad news of Naveen, an Indian student, who lost his life in Ukraine.
My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
I repeat, the Indian government needs a strategic plan for a safe evacuation.
Every minute is precious.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) 1 March 2022
The city of Kharkiv sees escalating fighting between Ukrainian troops and Russian forces, Official sources said the deteriorating situation in Kharkiv is a matter of grave concern and the safety of Indian citizens in that city is the top priority for the government. He said India has already taken up with the Russian and Ukrainian embassies the “pressed” need for safe passage for Indian nationals, including students, from Kharkiv and other cities in conflict zones.
(with agency input)