East European Development Institute, an NGO based in Kyiv has launched a project – Ukraine and South Asia: Open Dialogues. The aim is to promote understanding and promote people to people communication through online discussions, round tables and conferences. The project is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation. National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy is a partner of the project.
The first discussion in this series held on Sunday, 17 March 2024 discussed “Life of students during the war”. Four students, Anna, Anurag, Sofi and Somia told their stories followed by a question-and-answer session. Anurag and Somia are from India, they study medicine in Vinnytsia. Right now, they are in Ukraine studying and continuing their studies even in the conditions of war.
Anna Levchyk is the Regional Manager for Asia of the project Unissued diplomas, which tells us of the stories of students who were killed in this war. During 2023 stories of these students traveled to 24 countries and were shown in 110 exhibitions. The then British PM Boris Johnson, members of the parliaments and governments of Australia, Croatia, Canada, Latvia, Peru, EU, Qatar visited these exhibitions.
Anurag Krishna is a fifth-year medical student at Vinnytsia National Medical University (VNMU). With a steadfast ambition to become a surgeon, Anurag not only excels in academics but also in leadership. As the head of international students at VNMU and the Medical Education Pillar Director in EMSA (Vinnytsia), Anurag is actively shaping the future of medical education. Additionally, he is the visionary founder of “House of Indians,” an organization aimed at fostering community and support among Indian students. Anurag’s dedication to medicine and his impactful leadership positions him as a promising figure in the field. Furthermore, Anurag dreams of fostering strong relationships between India and Ukraine, bridging cultures and creating a supportive environment for students from both nations.
Sofi Shamiia is a student of International Economic Relations. She won Miss Ukraine for 2022 and went to India for the Miss World 2023 contest. As an artist, Sofiia understands the healing power of art and has started art therapies with children to heal their emotional wounds. Sofiia also organized a charity auction, and funds from selling the painting “Lost Childhood” supported the “Mriya” Educational and Rehabilitation Centre for children in Lviv, which she oversees, and funds from the painting “Eyes of Sadness” supported the Frontline Medics Organisation.She had held story times for kids in kindergartens and celebrations events in hospitals, along with more charity auctions, art therapy sessions and other projects.
Somia Hazel Topno is also a fifth-year student of medicine at the Vinnytsia National Medical University. She was born in the city of Dhanbad which lies in the state of Jharkhand. When she first came to Ukraine, she was very overwhelmed by the hospitality of the people. “Everyone here was very generous and helped us out through any unfavorable situations that we went through such as COVID-19 and later, Russian aggression against Ukraine. Being here in this country I really hope to fulfill my dream of becoming a good doctor and serving humanity by helping people in need.” – Somia says.
