Gujarati businessman’s Kyiv eatery is safe haven for Ukrainians

On January 1, Vadodara-based bizman Manish Dave fulfilled his dream of starting a restaurant in Kyiv. In less than a month, his dream crashed after Russia invaded Ukraine. Forced to flee, Dave handed over the keys to the property to the locals. Today, Dave's Saathiya restaurant is a safe haven for Ukrainian families including many children and pregnant women.

Students at his restaurant in Kyiv

Dave said he spent Rs 48 lakh to set up the facility in the Ukrainian capital. "Suddenly this war started on February 24. We started giving food for free. After learning that many buildings had been destroyed, we offered Ukrainian citizens to stay at our restaurant at no cost." He also put up a message on social media about free food and stay at Saathiya.

The message Dave put out on social media, inviting Ukrainians to use his restaurant

The Vadodara resident said, "Every day, 100-150 people visit our restaurant and they are getting food for free. Many pregnant women and kids are also living in my restaurant at this critical time. I am happy that my restaurant is helping Ukrainian citizens."

A grateful student at Saathiya

Recounting his chilling experience, Dave said, "I remained there for a few days. Then there was a massive blast at the TV tower in Kyiv after which the Indian embassy alerted us to leave the city at any cost. I travelled several kilometres and bought a lot of stock so that the locals could get food for a long time. We didn't close the restaurant."

An empty shell on the ground in Kyiv

Dave said the location of his restaurant has come as a blessing. "It's in a basement so it is much safer for locals to stay there. Currently, I'm at the Romania border braving subzero temperatures."