Hundreds of Indian students are sheltering in basements amid fear and explosions due to the ongoing tension in Iran. Many students have appealed to the Indian government for their immediate and safe repatriation.
Iran Student Situation: Amidst ongoing Israeli air strikes in Iran, hundreds of Indian students are living in a state of terror. These medical students are taking refuge in the basements of their apartments, enduring nights filled with gunfire and bomb blasts. The students report being unable to sleep properly for several days. They have appealed to the Indian government for their immediate and safe return to India.
Advisory from the Indian Embassy in Tehran
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has issued an advisory for Indian citizens residing in Iran. It advises citizens to remain indoors and to connect with the embassy's Telegram channel for emergency updates. The embassy has also shared emergency helpline numbers for immediate assistance.
Students' Ground Reality
Imtisal Mohiddeen, a resident of Kupwara district, Kashmir, and a third-year MBBS student at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, described hearing loud explosions at 2:30 AM on Friday. Overcome with fear, he immediately fled to the basement. He stated that the explosion occurred only 5 kilometers from his university. Since then, he and others have remained in the basement, unable to sleep properly.
University Classes Suspended, Students in Panic
Over 350 Indian students are studying at Shahid Beheshti University. The university has suspended all classes and strictly prohibited students from leaving their apartments. Imtisal said that the sounds of bombing continue throughout the night, making it extremely difficult to live in this atmosphere of fear.
Plea for Help from Kerman
Fazan Nabi, a first-year MBBS student at Kerman University of Medical Sciences in Kerman city, approximately 1,000 kilometers from Tehran, also shared the grim situation in a conversation with ANI. Fazan, a resident of Srinagar, reported hearing gunfire in his city and that all students were instructed to store drinking water for 3-4 days.
He mentioned that internet connectivity is extremely poor, making it difficult to contact family. Fazan said, "We came here to become doctors, but now our only hope is to survive and return to India."
Families' Worries, Students' Anxiety
According to the students, their parents are constantly trying to contact them. Fazan said his parents call ten times a day, but due to poor internet connectivity, he struggles to reassure them of his safety. The students say they live in constant fear, with the potential for the situation to worsen at any moment.
Midhat's Ordeal from Sopore
Midhat, from Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir, a fourth-year MBBS student at Iran University of Medical Sciences, described the first attack as the most terrifying night of her life. She said, "The explosions were so close that it felt like the attack was right next to us. We were all terrified and hid in the apartment."
Insufficient Help from Universities
Midhat reported receiving little help from her university. Although the Indian embassy maintains contact through WhatsApp and Telegram, the students feel that advice and messages alone are insufficient. Their only remaining hope is that the Indian government will ensure their safe return.
