Killed K'taka student's friend was just 50m away

March 02, 2022 18:02

Naveen Gyanagoudar's father breaks down on the phone

It was a providential escape for 25-year-old medical student Assoiun Hussain who was just 50 metres away when his batchmate Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar was killed in shelling in war-torn Ukraine's Kharkiv town.

Hussain's family in Kerala are thankful he escaped but also know that many perils lie ahead.

Assoiun along with others is on his way to western Ukraine from Kharkiv to escape the fierce Russian assault, his brother Afsal Hussain said.

"Naveen's death came as a shocker. My mother, who was concerned and stressed, collapsed as the news broke out. She is now admitted at a hospital. It is testing times for us, who are thousands of kilometres away," he said.

The Russian attack began last week and heavy shelling has been reported from several areas of Ukraine, including capital Kyiv and Kharkiv.

"My brother had taken shelter in an underground metro rail station, which was 50 metres from the place Naveen died. He was his batchmate," Afsal Hussain said as he and others in Kerala's Kannaur city scan social media platforms for updates.

Gyanagoudar, who hailed from Chalageri in Haveri district of Karnataka, was a fourth-year medical student like Assoiun Hussain at the Kharkiv National Medical University.

Several students, who are holed up in bunkers in Ukrainian cities, are unable to escape because of the continuous shelling, say parents, who have also flagged their concern over the Indian embassy's advisory asking students to reach Ukraine's borders for evacuation.

"They are children and not matured enough to reach borders by themselves. Some sort of support should be provided to them," said R Vasudevan, whose 21-year-old son Girish is stranded in Kharkiv.

Vasudevan said he and his family are just praying for Girish's safe return. "Not just my son but many students are stuck there," he said.

"The death of a student is worrying for us. I know evacuating people from Ukraine's borders is a tedious task, but people who are stuck in the cities like Kyiv and Kharkiv should also be brought back," Vasudevan said.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

'Why Not Bundelkhand In Modi's Third Term?'

'The Congress in the past backed the demand, but will not support it now since the SP opposes any division of UP.'

Despite Kharge's snub, Adhir says can't favour Mamata

In a veiled reference to West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said he cannot speak in favour of someone who wants to finish him politically and his...

Universe Boss Cheers RCB

Anushka Sharma, Sakshi Singh Dhoni cheered on their better halves from the stands along with other celebrities including IPL legend Chris Gayle.

Who Will Taste Grapes Of Wrath In Nashik?

'During times of adversity, a brick becomes better than a stone. That is how I look at the election season.'

Bibhav's assault could've killed Maliwal: Delhi Police

The Delhi Police in its remand paper submitted late Saturday evening seeking seven days custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar regarding the alleged assault on Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal...