You must remember the movie ‘Airlift’. In this, thousands of Indians were rescued and brought home from Kuwait facing war. Similarly, more than 20 thousand Indian students and civilians have been rescued from the war-torn Ukraine. The challenges faced by the people and the courage of the rescuers are many times more exciting than this film. Like a film script, ‘Operation Ganga’ is all about patriotism, bravery, valor, skill and strategy. For the first time, ‘Hindustan’ has brought to you the full story of how dangerous this campaign was.
Air India and Air Force planes made more than 87 flights, taking more than 300 hours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke directly to the heads of states of war-torn nations five times. Four central ministers camped in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. To save their loved ones, Indian officers went to war-torn areas in the midst of bombardment. Then somewhere the citizens trapped there could be safely returned home. Sources knowledgeable about the entire operation said, when Indian students in Sumi were going towards the border by road, on the other hand the convoy of Russian soldiers was passing very close. The convoy could be shot at any time. But, Modi spoke directly to Russia-Ukraine and asked to ensure the safety of citizens. This was the first time the campaign was conducted inside cities in a war-torn country.
brought us alive amidst the blasts
The most daring operation to evacuate Indians from war-torn Ukraine through ‘Operation Ganga’
Pankaj Kumar Pandey, New Delhi. You must have seen many campaigns to ‘airlift’ Indians from foreign soil. But during the war with Russia, evacuation of loved ones from Ukraine through ‘Operation Ganga’ is the boldest operation ever. The students said that we were brought alive amidst the blasts and firing.
According to experts, the most complicated situation was in Kharkiv and Sumi. Here the scene of devastation was taking its most terrible form. A one-on-one fight was going on here. There were firing and missile attacks everywhere. The tanks were in front. In these circumstances, about 3000 Indian students were trapped in Kharkiv and about 800 in Sumi. About 4000 students were close to the Russian border. According to sources, this was the first time the operation was conducted between missile strikes and firing.
No delay in mission: On the delay in evacuation operations, sources said, “In January itself, we had given notice to our citizens to register online where they are. At first it was expected that there might be no war. But on February 15, as soon as it seemed that the war would not end, India issued the first advisory asking citizens to leave Ukraine. Advisories were also issued on February 20 and February 22.
Ukraine was giving confidence: Following the advisory, four thousand students left on commercial flights. But Ukraine’s President Zelensky was claiming that nothing would happen. In the institutions where Indian students were studying, a circular was issued saying that life is normal. On this belief Ukrainian institutions agreed to run online classes. There were many such reasons, due to which about sixteen thousand students were stuck in Ukraine. Sources say that unless there was a war or emergency, it was not appropriate to launch a rescue or operation.
Spoke to US also bluntly: During the rescue operation, Russia was claiming that Ukraine had taken the students hostage, the sources said. At the same time, Ukraine was saying that Russia is not allowing to build a humanitarian corridor. On this we adopted strict diplomacy. We talked to America and said that if our students come under threat, it will be a kind of hostility.
Most Indians returned: Sources said that so far more than 21 thousand Indians have come home from Ukraine. The rescue operation is almost over. While American citizens themselves made arrangements for their exit.