Parents of Ganjam students seek govt help to bring them back from Kota

Hrusikesh Mohanty | TNN | Apr 19, 2020, 04:42 IST

Berhampur: Parents of several Ganjam students, who have been stranded in Kota, the nation’s tutorial centre for entrance examinations in Rajasthan, due to the nationwide lockdown are very much worried and appealed to the government for making arrangements for their safe return.
Over 100 students from different areas of the district had gone to Kota last year to take admission in coaching institutes for competitive examinations like engineering and medical.
“My daughter took admission in a private coaching institute at Kota in May last year. She was preparing for the medical entrance (NEET-UG) there. Now she is crying to return home following the extension of lockdown till May 3,” said Siba Prasad Rath of Digapahandi. He said five students — all girls of Digapahandi — are housed in a hostel.
“They are now feeling helpless as there is no kith or kin there to help them as they want to return to the village early,” said P Raja Babu Dora, a parent. “We are worried about safety and security of our daughters in the distant place,” he said.
“We have requested the state government for making arrangements for their smooth return or give us inter-state passes to bring back our children,” said Krushna Chandra Gouda, another parent.
On Friday, Uttar Pradesh government took back their stranded students at Kota in 300 buses. The UP government took back 7,500 students from the state in the buses after the students and their parents sent an SOS to the government.
“After students of UP left the place, Odisha students are eagerly waiting for the response of Odisha government,” said Bala Krushna Pradhan, another parent from Berhampur. His daughter is also stranded in Kota.
Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot tweeted that other state governments can follow the UP government. Students in Kota can be sent to their home states after getting consent from respective state governments, he said.
“We have already dashed off a letter to chief secretary, appealing for intervention of the state government for safe return of the Odia students in Kota,” said Rath. He said they have also apprised Ganjam collector Vijay Amruta Kulange of the plights of the students. “The collector has assured us to take up the issue with the state government,” he added.