Aknangsha Bhowmik of Agartala, one of the Indians presently stranded in Ukraine, was hopeful that the situation would not turn into a war.
But, the sounds of explosions – bombing and shelling in Ukraine had shattered her hope on Wednesday last following Russia’s invasion.
Bhowmik, daughter of Nepal Bhowmik has been living in a Ukrainian city Kharkiv for the past four years for her medical study. She shared her horrifying experience with Tripura Times from a basement. She is a fourth-year student of V.N Karazin Kharkiv National University.
“As advised by the local administration, I along with some others stayed in a Metro station last night. After three-four hours, we returned to rooms this morning, we heard sounds of bombing and shelling again and then we took shelter in a basement today,” she said over Whatsapp call amid sounds of shelling.
The panic-stricken student apprehended that a crisis of food and water might soon hit them, if the situation remains the same for next few days.
“We were not aware of the war situation even a few days ago. After receiving the advisory, we stocked groceries and foods along with drinking water in little quantity. We visited the local malls but they were almost lying empty,” Bhowmik said.
Replying to a query, she said, “We communicated with the Indian Embassy in Ukraine – they assured us that a plan is being made for safe evacuation of the stranded Indians. We are facing serious uncertainty.”
As she is hoping for a safe return, the medical student appealed to the Indian Government and Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb for taking necessary steps at least for shifting her from Eastern to Western Ukraine, if an airlift is not possible at this moment.
#Prasenjit Chakraborty may be contacted at pc2017reporter@gmail.com
