Mangaluru: City student Lloyd Pereira thanks MEA for evacuating from Russia-Ukraine war zone

By Rons Bantwal
Bellevision Media Network

Mangaluru, 10 Mar 2022: ‘If at all, I have reached my family in Mangaluru, it’s because of union government that has taken keen initiative through diplomatic means in bringing back Indian students from war zone of Russia – Ukraine conflict,’ said Lloyd Antony Pereira, a student who arrived from Ukraine at his home located at Vikas Nagar, at the limits of Gurpur gram panchayat in Mangaluru taluk.

 

Speaking to this reporter at his home, Lloyd said that 300 students left the war zone amidst the Russian offensive from their university in 4 buses to Moldova on March 1. Meanwhile, they had to stall their buses for nearly 6 hours as Russia launched nonstop shelling en route. They reached Moldova after travelling 18 hours and continued their journey for 18 hours to reach Romania.

 

 

We were relieved of our fears once we were at the Romanian capital Bucharest where the Indian embassy made all arrangements for our stay. I was with my MBBS batchmate Sakshi S, a native of Bejai, Mangaluru city during the journey, said Lloyd.

 

Lloyd also said that a 5-year MBBS study costs about Rs 40 lac in Ukraine while it’s over Rs 75 lac in India. He also expressed concern for other Indian students who are trapped in east Ukraine as all Indians are evacuated from west Ukraine.

 

Lloyd’s parents William and Premalata Pereira urged the Indian authorities to allow the returnees to pursue their studies in medical colleges in the country as they face uncertainty. They also thanked the union government and district administration in evacuating their son, including other students from the war zone.

 

William is working as a bus driver while his wife Premalata is serving as head nurse at TB Hospital, Moodushedde, here. She was awarded the Best Nurse National Award during 2020-21.