In Thiruvananthapuram, India, a harrowing brush with death nearly claimed Prince Sebastian's life due to a tangled gun strap. On February 4 at 6 pm local time, Prince, a fisherman hailing from Kerala, found himself amidst the chaos of a battlefield in Luhansk, Ukraine, fighting alongside Russian soldiers. This was a stark departure from his expectations, but he pressed forward, the sound of gunfire ringing in his ears.
As they faced sudden attack, a bullet grazed Prince's left ear, momentarily numbing him. Gathering his wits, he embarked on a treacherous 3-kilometer crawl through mud, evading the Russian army. Now, safely back home in Anju Thengu, Prince reflects on the horrors he narrowly escaped, only to confront the stark realities of poverty and uncertainty once more.
Prince's journey to Russia with his cousins, Vineeth Silva and Tinu Paniadiam, was fueled by the hope of a better life amidst dwindling opportunities in Kerala's fishing industry. The promise of employment as security guards in Russia lured them, but upon arrival, they were coerced into joining the Russian army.
Trained in weaponry far removed from their expectations, they found themselves in the midst of conflict, where Prince's brush with death became a defining moment. Severely injured, he embarked on a perilous journey back to safety, enduring surgeries and hospital stays before finally returning home.
Prince's ordeal sheds light on the pervasive issue of Indian migrants falling victim to deceptive job schemes abroad. Despite the risks, the allure of escape from poverty drives many to seek opportunities overseas, only to be left stranded and exploited.
As Prince navigates the aftermath of his traumatic experience, his focus remains on securing the release of his cousins still trapped in Ukraine. Despite the uncertainties ahead, he draws strength from the support of his family and community, cherishing the gift of a second chance at life amidst the storm of adversity.
Comments
Post a Comment