Centre to provide compensation to Naveen: CM

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Thursday said the Central government will provide an ex-gratia amount to the family of Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagouda, who died on Tuesday in Kharkiv city amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“I have lost my brother, but I request the Government of India to bring back my other Indian brothers and sisters safely,” Harsh, the elder brother of Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagouda, said. “I’m sure that is what Naveen would have wanted,” he added.

Talking about his last phone call with Naveen, Harsh said that very few trains were running from Kharkiv and his brother was planning to leave the bunker as soon as possible with his friends. “The government could have planned the rescue operations better. It might have saved my brother’s life too,” Harsh said.

Naveen had informed his family on Monday night that he and his flatmates wanted to buy enough food that would last till they reached the Polish border.

“I request the Indian authorities with folded hands, before it is too late, please, save all the students,” Harsh said.

Meanwhile Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that bringing Naveen’s body home is the top priority of the state government. Bommai told the media that Naveen’s friends have sent some pictures of a body with clothes similar to that of Naveen. We’re in touch with the Indian embassy so that at least the body is secured. We are trying everything possible to bring back the body. Family will be compensated,” he said.

The Chief Minister also said that the Central Government is pushing hard to bring back as many Kannadigas.

“We have requested the stranded people to reach different borders of the war-torn country. We are facing difficulty in evacuating people as it is a conflict zone area,” he added.

President of the European Council Charles Michel spoke to Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and expressed sadness over the death of the Indian student. He said European countries are wholeheartedly helping in the evacuation of Indian citizens from Ukraine.

The reason thousands of students go abroad for MBBS degrees is very straightforward, say experts: the shortage of seats in India, coupled with the relatively affordable fees in Ukraine and other countries when compared with private colleges within India.