Coronavirus: Air India flight on standby, Gujarat pupils in China might be evacuated soon

Shashi Kumar Jaiman and Nidhi Jaiman, government servants in Vadodara were worried sick when y heard about a virus outbreak in China. ir daughter had been studying MBBS re in Wuhan for past two years. 

It was only after ir daughter Shreya informed m that y were being shifted to hostel premises and were being quarantined that y contacted university officials. "y were asked to sit tight in hostel area and have been provided with masks. We knew it was because of outbreak. However, re is a short of food and water. students have to go out and buy water bottles for mselves. It's dangerous for m to be outside," said Nidhi Jaiman, Shreya's mor. 

READ: Air India jumbo plane ready for evacuation of Indians from Wuhan

Gujarat Government gives assurance 

It was less than 24 hours ago that Gujarat government had intervened and gave m assurance that students will be brought back to Gujarat soon.

"re are at least 300 students from Gujarat who are studying in different parts of China. We have made all arrangements to ensure timely and safe evacuation of students. chief minister has spoken to Dr S Jaishankar and he has asked for help so that y can return home. y've got a positive response and will be arranging for ir return," said an official in Gujarat Chief Ministers office. 

Apart from Jaimans, several parents from across state are worried about getting ir children. Ghanshyam Solanki, a corporator in city of Mehsana is also constantly appealing to government and officials of university to let his daughter, Kinal Patel come back to India.

"Such quarantines are taken seriously in China. I've been trying to appeal to government to do something about it. Let's see when it happens. Meanwhile, I have been in constant touch with my daughter," Solanki told Republic TV. Ar parent from Vadnagar, Sanjay Patel, far of a bror-sister duo studying at Hubei University in China said, "y are facing issues with water. Sometimes y are served n-vegetarian food. Neverless, y are pretty understanding and facilitating." 

READ: Coronavirus: Indian student from Wuhan, mor in Ujjain hospital

Republic TV speaks to stranded students 

Republic TV was also able to speak to students stranded in Wuhan.

"We have been here for quite a few days. Since many of our friends stranded here are from Gujarat, we are able to cope up without much diffucilty. It's a ghost town outside — absolutely vehicles anywhere; ne of locals are stepping out. Life has come to a halt. However, we got to kw that an Air India flight has been kept on hold and we might be sent re soon in ambulances. This might happen in a day or two," said Shreya, who is studying in Hubei University in Wuhan.

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