Indian student in Ukraine, who refused to leave his pet dog, returns via Hungary | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Indian student in Ukraine, who refused to leave his pet dog, returns via Hungary

Written by Sharmita Kar | Edited by Poulomi Ghosh, New Delhi
Mar 04, 2022 04:26 PM IST

Rishabh Kaushik managed to escape Ukraine's war and land at the Delhi airport along with his dog ‘Maliboo’ after struggling to get clearance for several days.

An Indian student, who refused to return home from Ukraine without his dog, arrived in India early Friday after escaping the war-torn country via an alternative route from Budapest in Hungary.

Rishabh Kaushik, evacuated from crisis-hit Ukraine, arrives with his pet dog at the Hindon Air Force Station, in Ghaziabad.(PTI via Twitter)
Rishabh Kaushik, evacuated from crisis-hit Ukraine, arrives with his pet dog at the Hindon Air Force Station, in Ghaziabad.(PTI via Twitter)

Rishab Kaushik, a resident of Dehradun who was studying software engineering at the Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics Engineering, struggled to get a clearance for his rescued pet dog ‘Maliboo’, to bring him back as he waited to return to India.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Follow the latest updates

A third-year engineering student, Kaushik had posted a video that was widely circulated on social media platforms, regarding how the Indian embassy in Ukraine and the Centre's Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS) in Delhi had been stalling him, "asking for more and more documents”.

He had urged the Indian government to allow a no-objection certificate (NOC) so he can return home safely.

"There was a lot of documentation in India, the procedure was long. But in war-like situations, they should've allowed their own citizens. So, I had put up the appeal. A memorandum had come recently which stated that pets and even strays are now being allowed without NOC," Kaushik told news agency ANI.

Also Read | Video of destroyed Ukraine-made world's largest plane goes viral; makers deny

His video was even shared by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in an appeal to the Centre to expedite the process for allowing Indians in Ukraine to take their pets along with them on the flight.

The Centre, on Tuesday, issued a memorandum facilitating "a one-time relaxation measure" for Indians to bring back their pet dogs and cats while being evacuated from Ukraine.

A special IndiGo flight from Hungary carrying 219 Indian nationals stranded in conflict-torn Ukraine reached Delhi on Friday.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik received them and interacted with the Indian students upon their arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

At the same time, many others stranded in Ukraine are still facing problems to return to India along with their pets.

In one of Europe's worst wars in decades, Russia has continued its military operations in Ukraine for the second week now. The two countries have, however, agreed to a humanitarian corridor to evacuate civilians.

Several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia's military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow and promised Ukraine to help with military aid to fight Russia.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On