NEW DELHI: A leading Indian diaspora organization has called upon multiple agencies within the US government, as well as universities and student associations, to collaborate in addressing the recent surge in deaths of Indian-origin students in the United States.
The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) analysed several recent incidents and identified various causes, including suspicious shootings, environmental dangers like carbon monoxide poisoning, mental health issues leading to suicides, and accidents.All these have occurred across different states, sparking concerns within the Indo-American community.
US government agencies, universities, and student associations have been urged by FIIDS to take measures against these issues. Recommendations include enhancing safety education, improving search and rescue procedures, implementing stricter rules against fraternity hazing, raising awareness about risks and safety, and providing mental health support.
This year, eleven Indian students have died in the US, including Mohammad Abdul Arfath, who had been missing for since last month, found dead in the city of Cleveland. Other suspicious deaths include death of Uma Satya Sai Gadde in Ohio, last week, the shooting of Amarnath Ghosh in St Louis, last month.
Dr Lakshmi Thalanki from Boston, who has been tracking these incidents, described the surge in deaths as “alarming and suspicious”. FIIDS has submitted its recommendations to relevant authorities and announced plans to conduct a survey to gauge Indian-American students’ concerns about safety.
While rumors of hate crimes have circulated within the Indian American community, FIIDS emphasized the need for thorough investigation before drawing conclusions. A media release stated, “even though FIIDS did not find any conclusive facts to support the rumours, they may need to be investigated to timely address their concern. Indian origin students, according to Open Doors Report (ODR) are 275k, making 25 per cent of total foreign students and bringing in USD 9 billion per year in terms of fees and expenses.”
Khanderao Kand, chief of Policies and Strategy at FIIDS said, “the recent increase in their deaths is concerning and, if not addressed, would impact their confidence in the safety of US universities, potentially impacting the inflow of students further.”
FIIDS also drew attention to the significant contribution of Indian-origin students to the US economy but warned that the recent increase in deaths could undermine confidence in the safety of US universities and potentially affect enrollment numbers.
(With agency inputs)
The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) analysed several recent incidents and identified various causes, including suspicious shootings, environmental dangers like carbon monoxide poisoning, mental health issues leading to suicides, and accidents.All these have occurred across different states, sparking concerns within the Indo-American community.
US government agencies, universities, and student associations have been urged by FIIDS to take measures against these issues. Recommendations include enhancing safety education, improving search and rescue procedures, implementing stricter rules against fraternity hazing, raising awareness about risks and safety, and providing mental health support.
This year, eleven Indian students have died in the US, including Mohammad Abdul Arfath, who had been missing for since last month, found dead in the city of Cleveland. Other suspicious deaths include death of Uma Satya Sai Gadde in Ohio, last week, the shooting of Amarnath Ghosh in St Louis, last month.
Dr Lakshmi Thalanki from Boston, who has been tracking these incidents, described the surge in deaths as “alarming and suspicious”. FIIDS has submitted its recommendations to relevant authorities and announced plans to conduct a survey to gauge Indian-American students’ concerns about safety.
While rumors of hate crimes have circulated within the Indian American community, FIIDS emphasized the need for thorough investigation before drawing conclusions. A media release stated, “even though FIIDS did not find any conclusive facts to support the rumours, they may need to be investigated to timely address their concern. Indian origin students, according to Open Doors Report (ODR) are 275k, making 25 per cent of total foreign students and bringing in USD 9 billion per year in terms of fees and expenses.”
Khanderao Kand, chief of Policies and Strategy at FIIDS said, “the recent increase in their deaths is concerning and, if not addressed, would impact their confidence in the safety of US universities, potentially impacting the inflow of students further.”
FIIDS also drew attention to the significant contribution of Indian-origin students to the US economy but warned that the recent increase in deaths could undermine confidence in the safety of US universities and potentially affect enrollment numbers.
(With agency inputs)