INDIA. MUMBAI: The first batch comprising over 200 Indians who were evacuated from war-torn Ukraine reached the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai late Saturday evening.
The evacuees who traveled by the first evacuation flight of Air India- AIC 1944 reached the Mumbai airport at 7:50 pm. Union Minister Piyush Goyal received them. BJP MP Poonam Mahajan and Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar were present.
The plane, which took off from Bucharest’s Henri Coanda International Airport on Saturday, returned with 219 passengers, most of whom were Indian students.
Many relatives of the passengers gathered on the arrival concourse at Mumbai airport to greet their loved ones.
Addressing the returnees at the airport, Piyush said he was pleased to see the happy faces of Indians safely evacuated from Ukraine. All those stranded in Ukraine will be brought back to India, and no one has to worry. He said the Government is functioning on a mission mode to guarantee the safety of our citizens. “We all were worried for the last two days. We have also spoken to other countries, and we are making every effort to ensure the safe return of Indians stranded in Ukraine.”
“Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and emphasized the safety of Indian citizens.” Furthermore, the Russians have promised to assist in the evacuation of all Indians. Goyal asked the returning passengers to contact their friends in Ukraine and reassure them not to be concerned. “All those returning to India will be assisted by officials from the Indian Embassy in Ukraine,” he added.
According to Goyal, more evacuation flights are being operated, and the second flight is expected to arrive at Delhi airport in the early hours of Sunday. He thanked Air India wholeheartedly for its dedication to the national cause. On occasion, he greeted the moment with “Three cheers to India,” which was met with applause from all the passengers returning home, who responded with “Hip Hip Hooray.”
Kishori Pednekar, Mayor of Mumbai, stated that the BMC would provide free services to all students returning from Ukraine. We will provide them with free Covid testing, vaccines, food, and other services.
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