An Indian eatery in Kyiv that's offering shelter too

An Indian restaurant owner has given shelter to around 70 people, including Indian students and Ukrainian nationals, in his restaurant in Kyiv since Russia launched the attack on Thursday. As bombs started to explode around them, people flocked to

Saathiya

restaurant, which is located at the basement of Chokolivs'kyi Boulevard, with their luggage.

"Many Ukrainian nationals also arrived at my restaurant, hoping they will be safe here. The restaurant is now like a bomb shelter because it is under the basement. We are serving everyone food," said

Manish Dave

, the restaurant owner.

But even before the attack, Saathiya was as popular among the Indian students for its home-like meals.

Shivam Katoch

(25), an MBBS student in his third year in Kyiv, said, "I had been putting up at my hostel but was not sure how long the civilian areas would be safe from the air strikes. I would often come here for Indian food, but on Thursday, when I got a call from Manish

Dave

, I immediately moved to his restaurant to be safe. For now, it is our home away from home."

On Thursday, the restaurant served chicken biryani to those seeking shelter. But worries are mounting about the stock of food left. "We have been keeping stock of the ration left with us. We now have rice and flour to last 4-5 days, but we need to buy vegetables and other items. There are restrictions on movement between 10pm and 7am," said Dave.

On Friday, when the markets opened for some time, the restaurant stocked up on vegetables, milk and rice. "There are many pregnant women and children here who need milk," Dave added.