The 35 students who returned from war-torn Ukraine to Surat on Thursday were overwhelmed with mixed emotions.
On one hand, they were happy to see their parents and loved ones, while at the same time they were worried about their future as many had lost all their belongings, including important documents while fleeing.
The students had returned from the Poland border and were brought to the circuit house by the government authorities where their parents and loved ones had gathered.
Each one of them had a different story of their struggle to stay alive in the war zone and reach the Poland-Ukraine border.
Vishwa Shingada (19), could not stop her tears as the GSRTC bus reached the circuit house. She had lost all hopes of seeing her parents.
Another student Gaurang Katariya said, "We walked for four days to reach the border. I can't even describe what we went through. But we are all very happy to be back home."