As India once again carries out the successful evacuation of its citizens from crisis-hit Sudan with Operation Kaveri, an IAS officer brings to us in his book one of the other outstanding efforts nearly a year back, when over 22,000 Indians, mostly students had to be safely extricated from the Russia-Ukraine warzone.

Not only does the book gives us undisclosed details of Operation Ganga from 2022, but apprises readers of the strategic, political and managerial efforts that went into achieving it.

The 2009 batch officer, who travelled and met many of the key characters from either side — those who were saved and their saviours, has penned the details in “Operation Ganga: Diary of a Public Servant”.

Speaking to Indian Masterminds, Mr. Tarun Pithode, who is currently serving as MD of MP State Civil Supplies Corporation, said, “I wrote it as if it were diary entries, so the reader feels like witnessing the horrific war that broke out on 24 February last year. 

“It takes you through some of the most spectacular rescue operations in the world, not just of our compatriots but also of citizens from other nations.”

It took the officer six months of concerted efforts to research, write and complete it by January 2023.  

STUDENTS STUCK

When Russia attacked Ukraine in an early dawn operation, thousands of Indian students were studying in Ukrainian cities of Sumi, Kyiv and others.  

“They believed it would be over in no time in a diplomatic manner. But their hope turned into disappointment soon, as Kyiv, Kherson and multiple cities were bombarded,” Mr Pithode narrates.

“Soon it was all despair as they were stuck in sub-zero temperatures within hostels without food and supplies and were desperate to be rescued,” said the officer, who brings to the fore several individual cases of students, including Farish and his friends who were studying medicine in Sumi and were helped by the Indian embassy officials to cross the Ukraine border into Poland. 

BAND OF RESCUERS

To make this and many other rescues across several borders of Ukraine into neighbouring nations, the envoys and diplomatic staff, besides NGOs and commoners from NRI groups joined efforts with the Government of India, who appealed to all European nations, corporate world, and social and religious entities to support the evacuation mission.

Indian Authorities rescued more than 22,000 Indian students and people in just 14 days. And Mr. Pithode’s book explains in detail all such strategies that made Operation Ganga.

Two of the chapters “Rajaji Ka Raj” and “Maharaja ke Langar” are among many others that on one side show diplomatic strategy and sheer courage while the other instills faith in humanity.

JOINED HANDS

The officer says the book should be helpful for future aspirants as they learn how missions are completed. “Like how small airports were acquired, various governments were requested to allow theirs to be used and how the rescue flights operated, Mr. Pithode said, adding that “Not only humans but even animals were rescued.” 

MANY KEY PLAYERS

Mr. Tarun Pithode interviewed more than 150 people for this book, including four ambassadors, many Indian Foreign Service officers, and even union ministers. 

These were besides many of the children rescued, and people from other countries associated with the operation. 

He travelled to Hungary, Polland, and all the countries including Ukraine from where this operation was executed.

WHY JOURNAL

How did the idea of the book come? Mr. Pithode said, “I have been the collector of many districts in MP, so I have seen the management of crisis from close range. But the sheer humongous effort of the operation intrigued me.”

Mr Pithode says with Indians being global citizens and an unpredictable geopolitical circumstance makes his book relevant. “It will make it easy to understand through this book what strategies we need to follow if ever we are in such operations,” the officer added.