“I purchased a villa on February 22 and I shifted there. Two days later, the bombing started when I was asleep. I left the house and moved to my friend’s place in Sumy. A lot of students get in touch with me every day and I try to arrange buses for them. So far, I have sent 2,000-plus students to airports at my own cost. It’s a difficult time and I won’t leave the students alone. We are living in a house in Sumy where we have access to food.”

Recalling his short stay at his new villa, which is just 5 km from the Boryspil international airport, Sharma said, “I had saved up money from my trading and car service businesses. I’ve spent all the money to rescue the students. I don’t know when we will return to India. Only people in green zones were allowed to go out of Sumy.” Sharma hoped to take about 50 students to a safe airport on Thursday.