operation ganga: Humanity and not colour of passport was central to ‘Operation Ganga’, says PM Modi | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the “Operation Ganga” launched to evacuate the Indians stranded in Ukraine should be documented as a case study to inspire the coming generations since its success exemplified the greatness of India and its values as people from several other countries were also evacuated.
“You have not only demonstrated the spirit of India but also its values,” the prime minister said, as he expressed his warm appreciation for the Indian community leaders, volunteer groups, companies, private individuals and government officials who worked tirelessly for the success of the “Operation Ganga”, for evacuation of Indians stranded in Ukraine.
He praised the patriotic fervour, the sense of community service, and the team spirit displayed by all stakeholders involved in Operation Ganga.
“Wherever we live, We Indians never forget our values and commitment towards humanity,” the prime minister said.
The prime minister said that it was the inspiration of the Indian ethos that the Indian team involved in the evacuation of its people stranded in Ukraine also evacuated people belonging to 18 countries including Nepal, Bangladesh and also countries like America, Canada, Britain, France.
“The Operation Ganga was not carried out on the basis of the colour of the passport … rather humanity was central to it,” the prime minister said and added, “Over 90 tonnes of relief material was also provided to Ukraine.”
Operation Ganga successfully evacuated about 23000 Indian citizens, as well as 147 foreign nationals belonging to 18 countries, from Ukraine.
He also said that the way India has rescued its citizens from adverse situations in foreign countries, they have started believing that the government feels concerned about their welfare and safety.
“Operation Ganga was not the first one launched to evacuate the Indians stranded in a foreign country in the recent past. Similar exercises were carried out earlier like in 2014 Indians were evacuated from Tunisia, followed by “Operation Raahat” in Yemen in 2015, “Operation Sankat Mochan” in 2016 and Operation “Devi Shakti” to evacuate Indians stranded in Afghanistan,” the prime minister said.
He said millions of lives were saved when India supplied relief material to over 150 countries including life-saving medicines under the “Bande Bharat” campaign launched after the outbreak of Covid-19.
“I request all the stakeholders to record their experiences even emotions, management challenges. They should make a documentary on the whole exercise, which will be a case study as an inspiration for the coming generations,” the prime minister said and also sought the Indian diaspora to participate in the ongoing “Amrit Mahotsava” commemorating 75 years of India’s independence.
The prime minister said that the experiences of the “Operation Ganga” should also be a learning lesson for the stakeholders to improve such operations in future for which he suggested that the Indian Missions should keep updating the data of Indians staying in their assigned countries.
Prime Minister especially praised the various community organisations, pointing out that their selfless service exemplifies the Indian civilizational even in foreign shores.