Stranded citizens told to reach Budapest for airlift; Modi attributes ‘Operation Ganga' success to India's growing influence on world stage
As the conflict intensified, India on Sunday asked its stranded citizens to reach Budapest for airlift in the last leg of the ongoing evacuation under Operation Ganga. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attributed the success of the 'Operation Ganga' to the country's growing influence in the global arena.
India will operate eight flights to bring back 1,500 people from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries on Monday. The Government managed to bring back 2,135 people by 11 evacuation flights on Sunday. So far, a total of 15,435 people have been evacuated from Ukraine under ‘Operation Ganga’ since the Russian military offensive.
In an advisory on Sunday, the Indian Embassy said, "Important Announcement: Embassy of India begins its last leg of Operation Ganga flights today. All those students staying in their OWN accommodation (other than arranged by the Embassy) are requested to reach @Hungariacitycentre, Rakoczi Ut 90, Budapest between 10 am-12 pm."
In an earlier tweet, the embassy had requested its nationals to fill up a form mentioning basic details. The embassy's official Twitter account posted a Google form asking for basic details like name, passport number, and current location."All Indian nationals who still remain in Ukraine are requested to fill up the details contained in the attached Google Form on an URGENT BASIS. “Be Safe Be Strong," it said in a Tweet.
After inaugurating the golden jubilee celebration of the Symbiosis University and its Arogyam Dham in Pune, Modi said, “We are evacuating thousands of Indians safely from the war zone through the Operation Ganga."
The PM further said that several big nations are facing difficulties in doing so for their citizens.
Addressing students in Pune, Modi said their generation is lucky that it does not have to bear the brunt of a “defensive and dependent psychology".
Meanwhile, giving an update of Rs Operation Ganga’ Civil Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a tweet, “We have successfully evacuated over 15,920 students via 76 flights. Breakup - Romania – 6,680 (31 flights) Poland – 2,822 (13 flights) Hungary – 5,300 (26 flights) Slovakia – 1,118 (6 flights)