Mamata Banerjee to meet Ukraine returnee students

Many want to talk to the Bengal chief minister about their future as they had to leave their studies in the war-torn country midway

Mamata Banerjee: File picture

Pranesh Sarkar   |   TT  | Calcutta   |   16.03.22  :  Chief minister Mamata Banerjee will on Wednesday hold talks with over 300 students from Bengal who were compelled to return from war-torn Ukraine recently.

“Some students who came back to the state leaving their medical course midway urged the chief minister through the CMO to meet them. She agreed to meet them tomorrow (Wednesday) at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra,” said a senior government official.

Students want to talk to Mamata about their future as they had to leave their studies in Ukraine midway, the source said.

Sources said 416 students of medicine in Ukraine reached their home state Bengal, but as some are currently elsewhere or unwell, around 300 will attend the meeting.

Many reached Calcutta on Tuesday. The state government arranged their lodging.

A source aware of the development said Mamata may take up the plight of the students with the Centre for a decision on whether they can complete their courses in India after she speaks with the students.

A section of the officials also said that there is a political angle behind holding the meeting with the students.

“The BJP leaders have already visited the houses of the students in the state. The BJP is also trying to cash in on the Centre's evacuation drive from Ukraine. The meeting with the chief minister would definitely help the students think differently," said a source.

Sources said students were pleased with the state government as it had arranged their stay and arranged flight tickets to Calcutta or Bagdogra after they reached Mumbai or Delhi from the bordering countries like Poland.