Indian student killed in Ukraine: Naveen forced to go abroad as he couldn't find a medical seat in India, says father

Russia-Ukraine war news updates: Father of Naveen Shekharappa Gyanagoudar, the Indian student killed in Ukraine, has said that he was forced to send his son abroad as he couldn't get a medical seat in India.

Shekar Gowda, the father of Naveen Shekharappa Gyanagoudar, a medical student from India who died in Ukraine's Kharkiv city, said that his son was forced to go to Ukraine as he could not get admission to a medical college despite securing a high percentage in Class 12.

Click here for the LIVE updates on the Russia-Ukraine war.

He said the family had called several places for help, but were met with empty promises. “We called every source that we could find for three-four days. All promised to bring back the children, but ultimately I lost my son,” Gowda said.

“Around 10 pm yesterday he called. He called when he was getting ready [to go out]. He said would call after breakfast, but he did not. The Ministry of External Affairs called us at 2 am and told us about the incident,” he added.

ALSO READ | Russia lays seige to Kharkiv, Sumy in Ukraine as Indians wait to return home

Gowda further said: “Since childhood, Naveen’s aim was to be a doctor and serve society. He secured 97% in Class 12 without even taking tuition classes. Despite that, he did not find a seat in either private or government colleges. My family asked me to send him abroad as he was an intelligent student.” He said that his family told him to arrange for something so that Naveen could fulfil his dreams. They also helped with financial and moral support to send him to Ukraine.

“He was forced to go abroad due to reservation in the Indian education system,” Naveen’s father said.