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The Hindu
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Operation Sindhu: Fear, flight, and an uncertain future
In New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, Suhail Qadri, 57, paces nervously in front of an 'arrivals' gate as he waits for his two children — Imroz Qadri, 20, and Raiban Qadri, 23 — to land from conflict-torn Iran. When he finally sees them, quietly exiting from another gate to avoid the glare of cameras, his face lights up with relief. The brother and sister drop their luggage and run into his arms in a dimly lit corner. Imroz and Raiban are students of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences in the capital of Iran. Suhail, a resident of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), says he had lost touch with them from the fifth day of the conflict that broke out between Israel and Iran on June 13. 'For the last two days, I have been glued to my phone, waiting for an international number to pop up on my screen. I was hoping that the caller would either be my children or an embassy official telling me where they are,' he says. In J&K, every fifth house has a child pursuing an MMBS degree in Iran, explains Suhail. When news first broke about heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, Suhail and some of his neighbours quickly reached out to their children. The students were not perturbed at first. They became alarmed only when they began to spot missiles. 'Imroz called to say Israeli bombs had hit Tehran on June 13,' he says. 'They saw many missiles and got messages on WhatsApp that two Kashmiri students were hurt.' On June 13, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) instructed people in Tehran's District 18, which includes military buildings and residential neighbourhoods, to evacuate. When the IDF launched the attack on Iran's capital, several residential buildings and university complexes were impacted. Following this, the Indian Embassy in Iran posted on X that Indian students had been moved out of Tehran. The Embassy requested other residents with access to transportation to leave the capital too. On June 18, the Indian government launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals first from Iran and then from Israel as well. Imroz and Raiban were two of the 160 people evacuated and flown directly to India on June 20. So far, under the mission, India has evacuated more than 1,400 Indian nationals from Iran and more than 1,100 from Israel. Missiles in Iran When the attack began, Imroz recalls sitting inside the women's dormitory room with her friends. 'We were having a sleepover when we heard a thud. We thought crackers were being burst. But when the noise continued, we realised that there was an attack,'she says. Also read: 'There were sounds of sirens and distant explosions every day' Minutes later, Imroz and her friends, who had been following the news on the tense situation in West Asia, realised that the street in front of their dormitory had been bombed by the Israelis. Panic stricken, they rushed to the basement and huddled around the guards trying to understand what they should be doing next. Hania, 23, a fourth year MBBS student at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, saw the Israeli air strikes hit the university complex. 'The bomb dropped on the men's dormitory and the glass windows broke. Shards of glass injured at least two Indian students in the dorm,' she says over a call from Qom, about 160 kilometres away from Tehran, while waiting to be evacuated. Hania says the Indian Embassy contacted Indian students in Tehran and asked them to relocate to Qom, a relatively safer city. Many students chose to move out in buses provided by colleges. Some, like Hania, booked private cabs. 'There was no time to pack properly, so I left with my documents, some clothes, food, and some cash lying around,' says Hania, who is also from J&K. Tamheed Mughal, a third year student at the same university, says he has lived in a conflict zone (J&K). 'But when I found myself in another country hearing the incessant sound of bombing, I began palpitating. My anxiety got worse when the U.S. entered the war,' he says. Some of his peers have heard that the university will be holding a meeting on June 30. This, he thinks, may help him decide his future course. Tamheed is keen to go back and complete his degree. Iran's Health Ministry claims that 224 people have been killed so far in the conflict. Accustomed to conflict Indian nationals enrolled as students in Israeli universities say they had become accustomed to the stress of being at the centre of a conflict zone even before the latest round of attacks began between Iran and Israel. Sreyashi Bhowmick, 31, a postdoctoral student enrolled with the Tel Aviv University, says, 'Whenever Israel senses an attack coming its way, the civil defence force warns us of a possible attack from another country. The sirens then go off and we are expected to rush to the nearest bunkers or bomb shelters.' Sreyashi had earlier been evacuated in October 2023, under India's Operation Ajay, launched in response to the conflict between Israel and Gaza. She went back in February 2024, to continue work at the Geological Survey of Israel. 'It is exhausting to be on alert always,' says Sreyashi. 'It is bound to take a toll on your mental health, especially when you are living on your own, but the government here is very organised regarding wartime protocol,' she adds. Also read: Operation Sindhu: Special flights bring more Indians home from Iran and Israel On the evening of Israel's attack, when Iran hit back, Sreyashi was alone in her apartment. 'It was the middle of the night when messages started coming in, asking us to move to bunkers and bomb shelters. But to do that, I had to step out alone and walk to my landlady's house, since my apartment does not have any bunkers. So I decided to stay put,' says the student, who hails from Kolkata in West Bengal. Sreyashi, who is still in Israel, says, 'If something drastic happens, the Indian Embassy will arrange for our evacuation.' Another postdoctoral student from Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, about 20 km from Tel Aviv, says panic had not set in until missiles hit his university. 'Everyone living here told me that they had seen missiles being constantly launched and intercepted. Only when my university was hit did I realise that I was living in a conflict zone,' he says. He has been living in Rehovot for more than a year. About his decision to study in Israel, which is already at war with Gaza, he says, 'I was aware that Israel was at the centre of a geopolitical conflict, but since it is so invested in scientific research, it seemed like a good choice.' He reached Delhi after U.S. President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire on June 23 between the warring nations and is now home in Kolkata. Living with worry During the early hours of June 19, a flight with 110 students from Iran's Urmia University landed in New Delhi. Like many others, Nargis, 22, a resident of Mumbai, Maharashtra, was in the midst of her semester exams when she was given a few hours' notice to leave. With just a cabin-sized bag, she travelled from Urmia to Qom and then to Yerevan in Armenia and then to Doha before finally reaching home. After spending 52 hours in transit, Nargis is elated to be in India, but she is also worried. Wiping beads of sweat off her forehead, the second year MBBS students says with a faint smile that she is hoping for stability in Iran soon. 'I took a loan to pursue an MBBS degree there,' she says. 'Many of us chose to pursue an MBBS degree in Iran because the tuition fees is far lower than in private medical colleges in India. A mediocre private medical college in India costs a minimum of ₹1 crore. In Iran, we can complete the same degree by paying ₹30 lakh without compromising on the rigour of education.' Editorial | Strategic misfire: On the Israel-Iran conflict Sitting inside an apartment in a colony in Sultanpuri, Delhi, Aman, 21, a first-generation medical student in his family, is anxious. 'Going by conversations on WhatsApp groups, several universities in Iran might open up for local students in a couple of weeks, but the university is yet to share any information with international students,' he says. Aman says if he is unable to go back, he may not be able to complete his foundational degree. 'Universities in Iran have tie-ups with other foreign universities, but the National Medical Council of India does not take cognisance of medical degrees from every other country. This degree is the only way my family and I can climb the societal and financial ladder,' he adds. Imroz left Iran during her semester exams. She spends all her time chatting with worried friends on WhatsApp and following the news. 'We have not received a single notification from our university about when our classes will resume, so my brother and I have no clue what lies ahead,' she says. Imroz has left all her books and notes in Iran, so even if she is asked to study online, she believes it is going to be a challenge. The parents of these students are equally worried. Md. Kachakkarel, 55, from Malappuram in Kerala, has spent nearly all his savings to educate his youngest daughter. 'I have spent more than ₹45 lakh for her degree and stay in Iran,' he says. 'If she cannot complete her degree, what was the point of my working in the Gulf for 25 years?' Kachakkarel went to work at construction sites in Saudi Arabia to save enough to fund the education of his three daughters. 'I saved every penny doing manual labour to ensure that my children could pursue higher education, which I could not. My youngest daughter has come back from Iran. The older two had to live through extreme stress while pursuing medical degrees from Russia, which is at war with Ukraine,' he says. While Indian students from Iran are unsure about when they can go back, those studying in Israel are more certain that they will be able to go back soon. The postdoctoral student studying in Israel says considering how prepared the country seems to be in dealing with emergencies, he is certain that things will get better soon and he will be able to resume his research. A sense of déjà vu Reports and videos of students deplaning after being evacuated from Iran and Israel with nothing but backpacks and small trolleys brought back many unhappy memories for Dr. Jeetender Gaurav. The 30-year-old resident of Patna, Bihar, was one of the many students evacuated from Ukraine in 2022. He was relieved then, but that warm feeling quickly turned into fear as the situation in Ukraine worsened with time. When war broke out between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022, nearly 18,000 Indian medical students were evacuated from Ukraine under the Indian government's Operation Ganga. Among them were several students pursuing an MBBS degree. Following petitions from the students who had returned, the Central government committee recommended to the Supreme Court that the medical students be allowed to take the final MBBS exams in two attempts, according to the existing National Medical Council syllabus and guidelines. The Court agreed. Once they passed the exams, the students were required to complete a compulsory rotatory internship. The government clarified that this was an exception and would not set a precedent for the future. Those who had not finished their five-year course and chose to stay in India had to either take the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test to redo their medical degrees or explore other career options. Ukraine universities also offered to help students migrate to other foreign universities to complete their degrees. Some Indian students went back to Ukraine to finish their medical degrees. Jeetender, who had been pursuing a degree from Ternopil National Medical University and was in his third year, was one of them. He says his university was offering a transfer to universities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Georgia. But since a medical degree from these countries was not valid in India, many students waited and eventually went back to Ukraine. But on reaching Ukraine, the students realised that the situation was much worse than what they had imagined. After nearly eight months of continuous conflict, they were hit by skyrocketing inflation. Electricity supply, too, was limited. 'Russia had hit most of the major power grids, so we would get only two hours of electricity a day. For the rest of the day, we had to manage with candles. Our phone batteries would die often,' recalls Dr. Jeetender. While those like him, who went back and completed their degree, are now expected to clear the Foreign Medical Graduate exam and complete a year's internship, many who chose to pursue the last leg of their degree online are expected to take the same exam and follow it up with at at least two or three years of internship before getting a licence to practise. Dr. Jeetender says that unless the universities in Iran open their doors again for students, the road ahead will be as rocky as it was for him and his peers. 'The low availability of seats in Indian medical colleges makes it impossible for stranded students to be absorbed in,' he says. (With inputs from Bindu Shajan Perappadan)
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
3 years ago he had not heard about NEET: Young e-rickshaw puller shares how he became a NEET rank holder
Mohammad Suhail, once an e-rickshaw puller from Muzaffarnagar, defied odds by cracking NEET with a remarkable rank of 609. Despite initial unawareness of the exam and financial constraints that halted his education, Suhail's determination led him to seek help from teachers and online resources like PhysicsWallah. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Humble Start in Muzaffarnagar An Unexpected Spark of Hope A Teacher's Shelter Becomes a Launchpad Studying With Limited Means Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Support from Meerut's PW Vidyapeeth Achieving the Impossible, One Ride at a Time Looking Ahead Once, he was unaware that there was a national examination named NEET . Today, this youngster has passed NEET with flying colours, holding an impressive rank of 609. Positivity portal The Better India recently shared the incredible journey of Mohammad Suhail from being an e-rickshaw puller to a NEET rank Suhail, a determined young man from Muzaffarnagar, had once never even heard of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). His life revolved around helping his family make ends meet, often by driving his father's e-rickshaw. Higher education seemed like a faraway dream, especially when financial hardship forced the family to make a painful decision—only one of the brothers could continue college. Suhail, without hesitation, paused his own academic journey so his sibling could pursue turning point in Suhail's life came when a friend mentioned NEET to him. The idea that this single exam could open doors to government medical colleges at affordable rates stirred something deep within. According to The Better India, which featured his story based on a report from India Today, no one in Suhail's family had studied beyond the 12th standard. For someone with no academic role models at home, setting his sights on a professional degree in medicine was a bold and brave modest home lacked the basic environment conducive to serious study. Realizing his struggle, one of his teachers, Hashir Sir, stepped forward and offered him a quiet room to study. That space, though small, became the bedrock of his dreams—a quiet refuge where he began to imagine a different the resources to join expensive coaching institutions, Suhail turned to online platforms. He enrolled in the Yakeen Batch offered by Alakh Pandey , founder of Physics Wallah. The course, priced at just ₹3,000–Rs 4,000, was within his limited budget. He appeared for NEET multiple times—scoring 369 in his first attempt. But he did not stop there. With each try, he gained more experience and finally achieved a score of 609 on his third a time when his motivation began to waver, Suhail received an unexpected call from the PW Vidyapeeth centre in Meerut. They offered him complete academic support—free enrollment, structured coaching, and expert mentoring. Suhail particularly benefitted from their AI/AR-based specialized batches and frequent mock tests that sharpened his year, Suhail successfully cleared NEET with 609 marks. He didn't come from a prestigious institution or a top-tier coaching institute. He studied on his own terms, often after long hours of pulling passengers around Muzaffarnagar in an e-rickshaw. His remarkable progress is not just academic but symbolic of how sheer determination can overcome systemic a NEET rank close to 11,000, Suhail knows that the path to a government medical college is now open. Though he may not enter the most elite institutions, the opportunity to become a doctor is well within reach. His current ambition is to pursue a specialization in surgery, though he remains open to discovering his true calling within the field of medicine in the coming years.
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority wins 2025 Inspiring Workplaces Award
24 June 2025 21:45 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) has been named a winner of the 2025 Middle East & Africa Inspiring Workplaces Awards, placing it among the region's most visionary and people-first award, presented by the Inspiring Workplaces Group, recognises organisations that lead the way in fostering inclusive, purpose-driven, and empowering workplace was selected from a competitive pool of organisations across the Middle East and Africa and was celebrated for its commitment to creating a workplace where people thrive. The winners were announced during a virtual ceremony held on June 4, Suhail, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, said, 'This award is a reflection of the inspiration we draw every day from the children we serve. Their creativity, imagination, and resilience have shaped the way we think about our work and our workplace. "We set out to build a culture that mirrors the wonder, curiosity, and strength we see in young children - and this recognition affirms that vision. It's a proud moment for our team and a reminder that when we design our workplaces with the same care and imagination we bring to early childhood development, extraordinary things happen.'Established in 2019, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority promotes optimal child development and wellbeing, from the early stages of pregnancy to the age of eight. Its internal culture, built on trust, inclusion, and shared purpose, plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and lasting change across its programs in health and nutrition, child protection, family support, and early of initiatives that have become part of the workplace culture and which have inspired other entities to adopt the same across Abu Dhabi include Meeting-free Fridays, Discovery Days, and a ban on work-related communications after working hours and on weekends, except if every new joiner receives a Culture Playbook, to help promote the desired behaviors and the employee experience and journey is carefully curated from recruitment stage until their final in its 10th year, the Inspiring Workplaces Awards are the world's leading non-survey-based awards recognising organisations that prioritise people in everything they do. Each organisation is assessed on six key pillars: Culture & Purpose, Leadership, Wellbeing, Inclusion, Employee Voice, and Employee are chosen by an independent panel of regional experts using a rigorous and transparent evaluation process. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Time of India
7 days ago
- General
- Time of India
UAE: 50 people of determination graduate, now ready for workforce integration
Fifty graduates completed personalised education and vocational training, including entrepreneurship at Mashaghel centres/ Ministry Of Family UAE In a quiet yet deeply powerful ceremony in Ajman, fifty young Emiratis with disabilities crossed the graduation stage, not only completing an educational milestone but embodying a broader national vision: that ability, not disability, defines contribution. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Family at the Ajman Cultural Centre, brought together graduates from across the Emirates, Dubai, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Dibba Fujairah. These young men and women had spent years in rehabilitation and care centres, navigating both academic and personal challenges, before arriving at this celebratory moment. Their success was not accidental. It reflects a nationwide infrastructure of support aimed at empowering people of determination through specialised education, training, and now, increasingly, pathways to independence. Sana Suhail, UAE Minister of Family, personally honoured each of the graduates during the event. Her presence underscored the Ministry's deep commitment to empowering people of determination. Speaking at the ceremony, she highlighted the emotional and symbolic significance of the occasion: 'The event was more than a ceremony. It was a sign of what's possible when people of determination are given support and encouragement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Laxmi Ji Idol For Wealth, Peace & Happiness Luxeartisanship Shop Now Undo It showed the importance of believing in their abilities and creating spaces where they can learn, grow, and contribute,' said Suhail. She praised the graduates for their 'determination and commitment,' stating that the achievement stands as a testament to their unwavering will and the value of the inclusive programmes offered through the ministry. According to Suhail, their journey shows that disabilities do not stop dreams, and that their success serves as a beacon for others navigating similar paths. The graduates represent the outcome of years-long efforts carried out at disability care and rehabilitation centres operated by the Ministry of Family in Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Dibba Al-Fujairah. These centres provide individualised education and training for students aged 4 to 18, tailored to each student's abilities and ambitions. Once students complete these programmes, they are given multiple options: Transition into vocational training Launch home-based small business projects Or prepare for integration into the job market This year's graduating cohort also marked the first inclusion of students from the 'Mashaghel Rehabilitation Centres Programme', a vocational stream focused on entrepreneurship and small project development. This programme equips people of determination with practical business and home-enterprise skills, aiming to give them both confidence and economic self-reliance. It is a critical shift in approach: away from viewing rehabilitation as a service, and toward building long-term self-sufficiency and purpose-driven lives. The ceremony did more than honour a group of students. It served as a real-world demonstration of the UAE's National Policy for Empowering Persons with Disabilities, which emphasises equal access to education, healthcare, employment, and community participation. The Ministry of Family's role in realising these goals is strategic. By managing and expanding access to training centres across the country, the ministry is ensuring that people of determination are not merely included in society, but are active participants in its development.
News18
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
In Riyadh For Esports World Cup? Check Out This Ultimate Food Guide
Ahead of the EWC in Riyadh, here's the ultimate foodie guide to experience the best that the city has to offer in terms of cuisine, and culture. As Riyadh hosts the Esports World Cup, the city is buzzing with excitement. Gamers, fans, and visitors are arriving from around the world, and while all eyes are on the games, there's something else that's just as exciting – the food. Across the city, from bustling food halls to serene fine dining spaces, Riyadh offers an unforgettable culinary experience. Local classics are getting a fresh twist, global names are leaving their imprint, and hidden neighbourhood gems are winning over those craving something unexpected. Whether you are in between matches or out for a celebratory evening, this is your guide to the best places to eat in Riyadh while the games unfold. Where To Taste Traditional Saudi Food In Riyadh? To truly explore the region's roots through food, head to two of Riyadh's most beloved Saudi restaurants, each presenting a distinct interpretation of local culinary heritage. At Suhail, traditional Saudi recipes are refined with modern precision. Dishes like Hijazi mabshor (a grilled lamb dish served with yoghurt) or lamb kabsah (spiced rice with slow-cooked meat) are served with the finesse of fine dining. The atmosphere is refined, the plating elegant, and the ingredients, such as dried limes, dates, and fragrant spices, remain true to their traditional essence. By contrast, Najd Village is all about warmth and nostalgia. Here, meals are shared cross-legged on floor cushions, just as they have been in Saudi homes for generations. The décor leans rustic, and the setting is intimate. Dishes like jareesh, qursan and matazeez arrive in generous, hearty portions, cooked slowly and with care. Among the standouts is chi SPACCA, the Los Angeles steakhouse from Nancy Silverton, famous for bold, fire-grilled meats and unapologetic rustic charm. For a dash of Paris, head to Les Deux Magots, a famed Saint-Germain café, where French classics are served with elegance and ease. Gymkhana presents a different kind of decadence. For vegetarians, there are plenty of delicious options that feel just like home. One of the restaurant's two tasting menus is completely vegetarian, offering a variety of rich and flavourful dishes in every course. You can start with crisp gol guppas filled with jaljeera and sprouted moong, followed by tasty samosa chaat and chana masala. For the main course, enjoy favourites like paneer tikka, tandoori broccoli, or a fragrant biryani made with gucchi mushrooms and truffle. Prefer something more laid-back? Head to Over Under, a London café serving speciality coffee, brunch plates and mocktails. Apart from the delicious food, ELLE Café charms with its pastel interiors and Instagram-worthy vibe, perfect for a laid-back afternoon break. Where To Head For Touristy Activities In Riyadh? For those who prefer to stay in the thick of the action, Boulevard City is a one-stop culinary hub. With restaurants nestled right in the heart of the Esports zone, you're never too far from your next bite. Kabana serves comforting Afghan fusion dishes with a Mediterranean twist, perfect for a satisfying meal between matches and for those looking for authentic Middle Eastern flavours, Al Nakheel is the place to be. Pressed for time? Shake Shack never fails with its fast and familiar burgers and fries. If you want to keep things light but energising, Poke Bar's poke bowls and their signature Berry and Banana Acai are just the pick-me-up you need. And here's the best part: with cafés and kiosks like ½ Million and Coic Lounge dotted throughout the gaming zones, grabbing a snack or a drink is effortless and never out of reach. Still Looking For Something More? Located inside Riyadh's iconic Kingdom Centre Tower, Al Mamlaka Social Dining is a modern take on the food hall concept. Here, you can sample dishes from over 20 local and international brands all under one roof, perfect for groups with varied tastes. You'll find Nozomi serving sushi and contemporary Japanese plates, La Rustica firing pizzas from wood ovens, and Assembly, putting a modern spin on Middle Eastern comfort food. For non-alcoholic drinks with flair, Blended by Lyre's mixes up inventive spritzes and concoctions like no other. Round things off with something sweet from Floozie Cookies or a slice of layered cake from Hanoverian, the German patisserie brand that's already a hit in Riyadh. After your meal, head to the Sky Bridge on the 99th floor for panoramic views of Riyadh. It's especially striking at sunset, and a perfect way to cap off your visit. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : food lifestyle Riyadh Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: June 21, 2025, 16:00 IST
