New Delhi [India], December 12: Ravi Bhushan, a Ghaziabad resident, was the first of 75 Indian nationals evacuated from Syria, and he shared his experiences of the ongoing Syrian uprising. He praised the efforts of the Indian government and the embassy in Lebanon and Syria for their prompt and efficient rescue operation.
Bhushan expressed gratitude, noting that the Indian embassy consistently contacted and motivated evacuees, ensuring their well-being. “India started a rescue operation, and we were the first team to be rescued from Syria. The embassy kept us updated every hour and arranged food and other necessities when needed. We are truly thankful,” Bhushan told ANI.
He also compared the Indian government’s efforts to the suffering of foreign nationals, particularly women and children who were left outside in freezing temperatures. “We saw people from other countries suffering, some made to sit outside for hours in 4-5 degree temperatures. It was horrifying. But thanks to the Indian government, we didn’t face such issues,” he said.
Describing the dire situation in Syria, Bhushan said that widespread violence, including street shootings, bombings, and looting, had created chaos. “The situation is the worst now. People are firing in the streets, the airport is destroyed, and vehicles are being damaged everywhere. It’s going to get worse in the coming days,” he warned.
Bhushan had initially visited Syria for a short business trip, and the situation was stable until the uprising began unexpectedly. “Things were fine initially, but after two or three days, the situation changed drastically. We never anticipated this,” he recalled.
All 75 Indian nationals, including 44 ‘Zaireen’ from Jammu and Kashmir stranded in Saida Zainab, successfully reached Beirut on December 10, according to a statement from the Indian embassy in Lebanon.
The Syrian crisis has intensified since Sunday, when Syrian rebels entered Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee, marking the end of his over two-decade rule.