Kursk in Russia is an ancient city best known for the defeat of Adolf Hitler's army in 1943. Now, it has a special India connection. Abhay Kumar Singh, who hails from Patna, Bihar, is a lawmaker in Kursk city assembly.

He won the provincial election on a United Russia party ticket as a deputat -- parallel to an MLA in India. Russian President Vladimir Putin's United Russia has been in power in Russia for over 18 years. In March, it swept the polls winning more than three-fourth seats in the federal assembly.

His Facebook updates reveal his increasing political inclinations since 2015. In April last year, Abhay Singh officially became a member of United Russia party. Within no time, he is a deputat Kursk city assembly.

Abhay Singh completed his school education from Loyola High School in Patna and went to Kursk, the administrative city of the province to study medicine in early 1990s.

After graduating from the Kursk State Medical University, Abhay Singh returned to Patna to practise as a registered doctor. Things did not work out the way Abhay Singh wished. He went back to Kursk and entered the pharmaceutical business.

Soon, the Patna boy became a known business personality in Kursk overcoming all obstacles being a non-white foreigner he found in his way. After pharmaceuticals, Abhay Singh tried his hands in the real estate sector.

Ajai Malhotra, the then Indian ambassador to Russia, inaugurating a shopping mall owned by United Russia legislator Abhay Singh. (Photo: Facebook/Abhay Singh)

Abhay Singh first struck high political notes in 2012 when the then Indian ambassador to Russia Ajai Malhotra inaugurated the Uralskiy Trade Centre located in the heart of Kursk city. Abhay Kumar Singh owns the mall.

With success in business, Abhay Singh involved himself with local affairs and engaged with local Russians. But he has maintained his India connection. On International Yoga Day in 2015, he "organised the first International Yoga Day in Kursk" posting photographs on Facebook.