Anxiety is escalating among parents of Indian students in Iran as the conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies. Families are urgently appealing to the Indian government for the immediate evacuation of their children. The situation has created a climate of fear, with frequent sirens and explosions reported near student campuses in Tehran.
Indian Students’ Safety Concerns
Altaf Khan, from Srinagar, expressed deep worry for his 19-year-old sister, Sobia, a first-year medical student in Tehran. He reported that she heard loud explosions near her campus and that her voice carried evident fear during their brief communication. Khan stated his parents are experiencing extreme stress, unable to eat or sleep due to the constant worry.
Another parent, Aafroza from Srinagar, is pleading with the Indian government for a swift rescue. Her daughter, a third-year medical student in Tehran, reported dwindling food supplies and a critical risk in moving outside campus due to heightened security. Aafroza noted that other nations have already evacuated their students, increasing her fear of receiving bad news. She had not been able to contact her daughter by Tuesday afternoon.
The national representative of the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA), Mohammad Momin Khan, confirmed that Indian students relocated from Tehran have safely reached Qom. This precautionary move was coordinated with the Indian Embassy in Tehran to ensure student safety.
CBSE Postpones Board Exams
In response to the Middle East tensions, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed board exams scheduled for March 5 and 6 in several Middle Eastern countries. This decision impacts students in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj announced the postponement, citing the current regional situation. Exams slated for Thursday, March 5, and Friday, March 6, for Class 10 and 12 will be rescheduled.
Earlier, India issued an advisory for its nationals in Iran. The advisory urged citizens to exercise extreme caution and remain indoors as much as possible. This recommendation followed reports of deteriorating security conditions in the Persian Gulf region due to recent military strikes.