Final-year medical student Mohammed Misbauddin, 26, who helped many others reach the Hungary border from war-torn Ukraine, has not found time to relax since his return home in Birbhum’s Rampur on Sunday for two reasons.
One, everyone — from friends and neighbours to officials and politicians — want to meet and appreciate him. Two, the final-year medical student was busy making enquiries about his juniors who are yet to return from Ukraine.
The Telegraph reported on Monday how Misbauddin, the senior-most among the 48 evacuees, including nine girls, had organised the perilous 900km journey to the Hungary border from Ukraine. He, along with Nadia boy Raja Mondal, led the group to walk along war-hit streets, took a bus ride and two train trips, spending Rs 1.5 lakh of his own money to make the two-day journey as smooth as possible for everybody.
“It was beyond my imagination that so many people would come to meet me and appreciate what I did for my fellow students. I told them that it was my duty as a senior and brother of those juniors to bring them out of the war zone,” said Misbauddin.
In the past three days around a 100 people, including police officers, teachers, former classmates, political leaders and social workers have visited the home of farmer Mohammed Salauddin, father of the youth.
Around 30 people from neighbouring villages came to meet him on Wednesday evening to know how his journey was, how the war situation was in Ukraine and how they could beat the bitter cold.
“I am really proud of my son who helped others in this crisis,” said Salauddin.
“Hundreds of people, including local dignitaries and political leaders, visited my home to appreciate him. My eyes welled up,” the proud father added.
Misbauddin was worried about another batch of students till he learnt they had reached Delhi safely.
“When we were on our way to Hungary border from Kyiv, many contacted me to know the route of escape. Around a dozen students, including two from Bangalore and a girl from Malda, were in the last batch. I was worried till Wednesday morning as their phones were switched off. However, now I am relieved as all of them have reached Delhi,” said Misbauddin.
The hectic trip also took its toll on Misbauddin who fell ill after reaching home on Sunday. However, he is well now, he said on Wednesday.
“All’s well that ends well,” he smiled.
Nagendra Nath Tripathi, the Birbhum SP, said they had plans to felicitate the youth. “We appreciate Misbauddin for what he did for his juniors. The government is certainly aware about what he did. We will felicitate him in the near future,” said Tripathi.