Tamil Nadu locals from Ukraine would be reimbursed for their travel expenses: Stalin

The Tamil Nadu government has said it will bear the travel expenses of Tamil Nadu nationals returning from Ukraine in the event of a war. The government has decided to cover the travel expenses of about 5,000 students from Tamil Nadu who went to study in Ukraine. Chief Minister MK Stalin also suggested that those stranded in Ukraine should register on the Tamil Nadu government’s portal.

There are about 5,000 Tamil students in Ukraine. Stalin wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jayasankar asking him to take immediate action to bring them back. Stalin also demanded that a nodal officer be appointed to discuss the release with the Tamil Nadu government. Most of the Tamil Nadu natives went to Ukraine to study medicine and engineering. Most of them are said to be from Kiev.

Indians, including students, have been stranded in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. There are indications that flights will be sent to neighboring countries from tomorrow to bring them back. It is likely to send flights to Romania and Hungary. Indian officials arrived at some border posts to oversee the evacuation.

Students are staying in bunkers in many places. The embassy issued a letter to the Ukrainian president yesterday urging him to ensure water and food. But there are fears the situation could escalate if the conflict continues. The move is to bring them back through the countries on the western border in case the airspace is closed. India has already started registration for this.

Those crossing the border into Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania will be repatriated. Indian officials have arrived at the border to facilitate this. External Affairs Minister S Jayasankar spoke to the Foreign Ministers of the four countries. Air India flights have been booked. The plane is expected to fly to Bucharest, Romania and Budapest, Hungary tomorrow.

Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright