PM speaks to father of Indian student, Naveen S G, killed in Ukraine

New Delhi, March 1 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to the father of Naveen Shekharappa Gyanagoudar, an Indian student who was killed in Russian attack in eastern city Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Naveen hails from Haveri in Karnataka, and is the first Indian casualty of the deadly face-off between Ukraine and Russia.

 

He was 21 years old. He was a fourth-year MBBS student at Kharkiv National Medical University who hailed from Chalageri village in Karnataka’s Haveri district.

 

They said he was killed in shelling but according to a former hostel mate of Naveen in Kharkiv cited other members of the student community there as saying that he was hit in firing by the Russian army outside a grocery store. According to family sources, the tragedy occurred when he went out to have his breakfast.

According to information, Prime Minister Modi expressed deep condolences while talking to Naveen's father and consoled him.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi confirmed the Indian student's death in the Russian attack by tweeting that the ministry is in touch with the family. He also informed that the Ministry of External Affairs is in touch with Russia and Ukraine for the safe evacuation of Indian students and citizens.

The Indian government is running 'Operation Ganga' to bring back stranded Indians from Ukraine safely. Following instructions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian Air Force aircraft have also launched a campaign.

 

The Government of India has sent 4 of its ministers to different neighbouring countries of Ukraine to expedite the evacuation process.