Over 1,000 Rajasthan students stranded in Ukraine, says state minister Shakuntala Rawat

Around 1008 students from Rajasthan were stranded in Ukraine while 207 students from the state have been rescued so far from the war-ravaged European country, Rajasthan industry minister Shakuntala Rawat informed the state assembly on March 2.

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has appointed the commissioner of Rajasthan Foundation, Dheeraj Srivastava, as the nodal officer for the efforts to be carried out for assisting the students, said Rawat.

The minister said that the Rajasthan Foundation is connected with the migrant Rajasthanis settled in other countries. She said that those in countries near Ukraine and living near the border areas are also trying to provide help to students.

Rawat told the assembly that the Rajasthan government has decided to bear the expense of air travel for students, and has made free arrangements of lodging for the rescued students. The state will also send them home from the airport. Help desks have been set up at the airports in Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur, added Rawat.

A total of 207 Rajasthan students from February 23 to March 2 were received at different airports, and their stay and transport to respective districts in Rajasthan were ensured, she said.

The Minister said on March 1, the CM sought updates about the situation via video call from those who returned from Ukraine.

Appreciating the steps taken by the Gehlot government, deputy leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore suggested the state government send a group of ministers to New Delhi for better coordination with the central authorities to ensure the safe return of Rajasthan students stuck in Ukraine.

Rathore said that ministers from Gujarat and Maharashtra are in New Delhi for coordination and the same should be followed by Rajasthan.

“We are also ready to go to Delhi as your assistant. The government should lead us,” he said.