MARGAO: Jaeden Pereira, 19-year-old from Goa, who was stranded in war-torn Ukraine, hiding in a bunker with others for safety, finally reached India safely on Friday.
It may be recalled that earlier, amongst the many Indians who were brought back to India, Jaeden was one of the few who was still left behind due to difficulties in evacuating him due to his location. He was reportedly the last of the 21 students to be brought back. He had taken refuge in a bunker below a hostel with around 500 Indian students from Sumy State University, that’s situated in eastern Ukraine just two hours away from the Russian border, since February 24. He was studying veterinary medicine there.
His family, friends and fellow Goans have been praying hard and sending messages of support to his parents ever since the war broke out between Ukraine and Russia.
“Glad that Goan student Jaeden Pereira, stranded at Sumy in Ukraine, has safely landed at Delhi. Soon he will return to Goa to be with his family. With his return all the 21 Goan students are back. Appreciate the hard work of Director Anthony D’Souza and his team at NRI Office,” NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar tweeted on Friday.
Speaking to Herald, NRI Director Anthony D’Souza said Jaeden had landed in Delhi but said that as he was travelling for three days continuously, Jaden was tired and was thus resting at the Goa Sadan in New Delhi for the time being till he was feeling fit for another flight. He added that it is likely that Jaeden would arrive in Goa on Saturday.
Jaeden’s arrival in India is a matter of huge relief for his family back in Benaulim.
Jaeden’s mother Anita Gomes Pereira hails from Aldona.
“With our hearts filled with gratitude, my husband Onofre Gomes Pereira and I would like to inform you all that Jaeden is on home soil. He arrived this morning in Delhi. This is a miracle…after all they have been through …they are safe and alive back in our homeland after a harrowing time…thank you all for your prayers and good wishes…I’m forever grateful to each one of you…mog asum,” she said.
