Ukraine 'gave him a life'; now Bala Sankar can’t abandon the country

Bala Sankar of Tamil Nadu’s Sriperumbudur, has stayed back in Ukraine for the past seven months to help its armed forces with logistics and supply of essential items. This is at a time when most foreigners have already fled the war-ravaged country. He takes orders from the defence ministry for procuring medical supplies, clothes, bulletproof vest, helmets, and even surveillance drones, often risking life or capture as he criss-crosses the frontlines. Bala used to run a restaurant earlier in Kharkiv, one of the worst-affected cities. Now he is running a voluntary organisation Maran Foundation, named after his one-year-old son.He travels by road across the war zone, networks with similar voluntary organisations. He procures supplies from friendly European nations so that Ukraine can fight the war. Bala said that he could not abandon the country that 'gave him a life' in his hour of need. His family, including his wife, is opposed to his service as they fear for his safety.