The Embassy of India has set up a control room in Budapest, Hungary under ‘Operation Ganga’ to coordinate the evacuation of Indians stranded in Ukraine. Working as a team to make ‘Operation Ganga’ a success, young Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers are leading the evacuation efforts.
The control room has been set up by the Indian Embassy in a small hotel room in Budapest. It consists of young Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers working with a team of technical staff as well as hundreds of volunteers. A core team of about 30 people, including former envoy Kumar Tuhin, who was brought in as an officer on special duty, has been constituted to oversee the entire exercise. At least six members are part of the core team in the command center and are responsible for coordinating with a team of 10-15 who lead volunteer teams.
Rajeev Bodwade, Deputy Chief of the Embassy of India in Israel who was on special duty in Budapest, while talking to ANI said, “When we started, it was only a few students but gradually their numbers started increasing and hence an organized structure.” We had managed to bring in over 150 volunteers, but a joint effort was needed.”
Talking about the incidents and efforts taking place in Ukraine, Rajeev said, “We have set up a command centre. Our team at the border will tell us how many people crossed over and how many people will be coming into the city, based on which But we do the calculations in the command center.”
Teams were divided into four major verticals: Transportation, Accommodation, Food and Flights. He told that more than 150 volunteers are helping him.
He said, “The first team looks after the transportation as people are using various means including railways, roads, and some are even walking. So we arrange for them to travel across the border where they will be given temporary accommodation. Another team is responsible for finding accommodation for which more than 40 places have been identified where we can accommodate them.”
He further added that arranging food thrice a day for the students was also a big challenge. He said, “In the last few days, we have arranged food for more than 2,000 people. We have to act very fast as many places can change and it was a major responsibility for our food team which We have a third workspace.” The work doesn’t end until the students take off, Rajiv said, adding that it is the responsibility of the fourth team based at the airport.
“Our team at the airport tells us how many flights are at the airport and how many people can be sent and at what time,” Rajiv said. Like Rajiv, several other officers from neighboring countries have been brought on special duty by the Indian embassy to help in one of India’s largest evacuation efforts.