Indian mother who once rode 1,400km to rescue son awaits his return from Ukraine

Two years ago when her son was in distress, she rode 1,400km on her scooter to bring him home but today she feels helpless as he is stranded in another country.

Razia Begum, an Indian teacher at a government-run school in Telangana's Nizamabad district, is worried about the safety of 19-year-old son, this time stranded in war-hit Ukraine.

Though 260 students from Ukraine have returned to Telangana, Razia is still waiting for her son - Nizamuddin Aman, who is pursuing MBBS first year at Sumy in the north-eastern part of Ukraine.

Aman is among several Indian students at Sumy State Medical University located in Sumy city close to the Russian border.

Reports from Sumy suggest that more than 500 Indian students are waiting to be evacuated. Most of the students are reported to be in bunkers due to continuous Russian shelling. The electricity and water supply systems in the city are said to have suffered in the war.

Sumy is also reported to be cut off from other cities in Ukraine making it very difficult for Indians and other nationals stranded there to move out.

A student evacuated from Ukraine reacts as she is received by her mother at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport in Mumbai. AFP

Razia Begum is praying for the safe return of her son. The 50-year-old teacher said she received a call from him two days ago to convey that he is safe. "He told me not to worry as he is safe but I am worried as he is stuck amid war in a foreign land," she said.

Razia Begum has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao to take all necessary steps to ensure safe evacuation of her son and other Indian students stranded there.

She admits that this time she is feeling helpless as her son is stranded thousands of kilometres away and that too in another country.

Razia Begum had displayed exemplary courage and determination to undertake a 1,400km-long arduous journey on her scooter to bring home her son from Nellore district in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh where he was stuck due to the nationwide lockdown. She rode on highways even at night to reach her son.

This was in April 2020. Nizamuddin had gone to Rahmatabad in Nellore district to a friend's place but was stuck due to the sudden imposition of the lockdown following the COVID-19 breakout.

Armed with permission from the police, she overcame all odds to reach Rahmatabad riding solo on her two-wheeler and brought her son back home.

Teacher at a school in Bodhan town in Nizamabad district, Razia lost her husband due to kidney failure a few years ago and has two sons with Nizamuddin being the younger one. She said her younger son opted for the medical profession so that he could serve patients suffering from kidney related ailments.