Chandigarh, March 4 : Punjab Chief Secretary Anirudh Tewari on Friday informed that as many as 225 students, studying in Ukraine, have returned their home safely. The Chief Secretary gave this information during a meeting at his office here. While asking officials concerned to ensure safe return of the remaining students and other persons stuck in the war-torn country, he said that the state government is sparing no effort to help the distressed families in this hour of crisis. Reviewing the status of calls received on the state government’s dedicated 24×7 Control Room numbers – 1100 (to call from within Punjab) and +91-172-4111905 (to call from outside India), the Chief Secretary was apprised that total 476 calls have been received so far on these control room numbers and these queries are being immediately forwarded to the on Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for ensuring safe and secure evacuation of persons stranded in Ukraine. He was also informed that 326 affected families have been visited physically by the state government officials. Tewari urged the affected persons and their relatives to immediately contact on the Punjab Government’s helpline numbers so that they can be extended assistance. He also appealed the parents and relatives of the stranded persons to ask their children get in touch with the Embassy and on Government officials at border posts and strictly follow the guidelines of MEA. Resident Commissioner, Punjab, Rakhee Gupta Bhandari apprised the Chief Secretary that all the necessary arrangements have been made for safe return of stranded students and persons. She said they are in constant touch with Indian Embassy to ensure that no Punjab resident shall face any kind of problem in returning to their homes. ADGP Public Grievances and state Nodal Officer of the dedicated 24×7 Control Room M F Farooqui informed that the students who have returned back from Ukraine thanked the state government for making efforts for their safe evacuation. DB GK