Embroiled in the battlefield over the last three years, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are finding their feet — both literally and metaphorically — with a little help from Indians. While many of those dealing with psychological issues including post-traumatic stress disorder have found refuge in Indian meditation techniques, some of those who lost their limbs during the war are up on their feet again owing to the philanthropic and innovative efforts of an Indian entrepreneur residing in Kyiv.
Some of the soldiers and veterans who have had first-hand experience of stress and trauma in the Ukrainian war zone, spoke about the effectiveness of Indian meditation techniques and programmes being organised by volunteers and trainers from Bangalore-based spiritual organisation Art of Living.
“On the battlefield, explosions, gunfire, injuries, and the loss of comrades have an extremely strong impact on a soldier’s psyche. In addition, when civilians are killed, or even one’s own relatives and loved ones, this causes even deeper psychological trauma,” says Lieutenant Colonel Vitalii Derevyanko, Deputy Commander of the 1st Separate Assault Regiment. “As a result, post-traumatic stress disorder is a very widespread phenomenon among military personnel,” he adds.
“At this stage, Art of Living techniques, in my subjective view, in combination with other measures, help to ensure stability, resilience, inner calm, and an adequate assessment of the situation. After these practices, soldiers perceive stress, strain, and the war itself in a completely different way,” he notes.
Talking to The Indian Express, Natalia Tolstova, head of special projects, Art of Living-Ukraine, says, “Before the war, courses and programmes were regularly conducted in more than 25 cities across Ukraine with the involvement of 40 teachers.”
“Currently, activities take place in 5-6 cities… we are collaborating with 20-25 teachers, and most of the courses are now held online,” adds a spokesperson with the Art of Living, Bangalore, spearheaded by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
In programmes for the military, as well as for the civilian population and children in and near frontline areas, two permanent teachers and five assistants are engaged, Tolstova explains. A team of 10 people carries out this work, she adds.
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Around 8,000 soldiers and 20,000 civilians have taken our meditation courses over the years, and many of them are getting training to be teachers since there is a feeling more such courses will be required in the coming days, she says.
On the growing need for such techniques on the battlefield, Derevyanko adds, “No one in their right mind wants to fight. We are compelled to do it, because there is no other option… therefore, today’s army is, for the most part, made up of ordinary people who previously lived peaceful civilian lives…”
“The techniques work on the physical level, they help to stabilise, to activate, to restore strength,” explains Vadym Sydorov, Commander of the Assault Infantry Company. Officials at the Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi were not available for comments in this regard.
Meanwhile, Indian entrepreneur Nagender Parashar who has been staying in Ukraine for three decades, provides prosthetics to amputee Ukrainian soldiers. When he set up a plant in India last year, Parashar says the first 200 made-in-India units were sent for Ukrainian soldiers as donation, in collaboration with the Indian Embassy in Kyiv.
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Talking over a phone call from Kyiv, Parashar says he started importing prosthetic components from China in 2008, but since he was not satisfied with the quality, he started manufacturing in Ukraine. Parashar, who was recently recognised by the Ukrainian government for his innovative work, says he has supplied prosthetic limbs for almost 3,000-5,000 soldiers in Ukraine so far, helping them back on their feet. The cost of these treatments is borne by the local government.
Meanwhile, Indian NGOs have also come forward to support women and children affected by war, something which was recognised by the Embassy of Ukraine in India recently.
While attending an event in Karnataka last week, Artem Nosko, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy, spoke about the security and humanitarian challenges faced by Ukraine due to ongoing war. He extended sincere gratitude to the Madhusudan Sai Global Humanitarian Mission — working in the area of nutrition, healthcare and education — for its assistance, particularly in supporting vulnerable groups of Ukrainian citizens forced to survive under constant attacks.
