Indians in Oz more cautious about safety following attacks

Basant Kumar Mohanty

Melbourne, Aug 23 (PTI) Avoiding late-night travel and
sitting close to tram drivers here are among some steps being
followed by Indian students, who have become "more vigilant"
than before in the wake of a spate of attacks against the
youths from the community in Australia.

"These days we leave our accommodation early and return
early. In trams, sitting near the driver is also an ideal
option. We have become more vigilant than before," Rajesh
Ramnathan, a Ph.D student at RMIT University here, said.

He said he informs his house mates before leaving for
work or university so that they can enquire about him if he
does not come back in time.

"My friends do the same thing. When they go out, they
tell me and I know where they have gone. I speak to them in
between to find out if all is well," he said.

Divya Sharma, a student of the same university, said that
she does 'yoga' to remain calm and it also helps her to be
disciplined while travelling by the public transport system.
"Yoga helps me to remain calm and cool. More importantly, you
have to be disciplined while travelling in the trams."

Sharma, who also teaches yoga at the university, said the
Indian students are now focussing more on cultural activities
to reach out to their Australian counterparts. They are set to
hold a function 'Sab Kuch Thik Thak Hay' around Diwali when
they plan to organise activities like a fashion show and
Bollywood dance programme.

Another possible reason for the attacks against the
Indian students could be the fact that they work part-time
along with pursuing their studies and travel late in the
night, which makes them vulnerable to assaults. "We are more
visible than any other community," Rahul Pande, a student of
Deakin University, said.

Radhika, a student of Melbourne University, said that
certain areas are unsafe in the city. The students have been
advised not to take laptops and I-phones with them when
travelling late in the night.

There are nearly 97,0000 Indian students in Australia and
46,000 of them are in Victoria state, of which Melbourne is
the capital city. They are pursuing education in all the nine
universities and about 250 private educational institutions in
Victoria.

In the wake of the attacks, the Victorian Police has
started sensitisation programmes in which they involve student
community and tell them about their safety and security.

"My parents are much worried about me. I have become more
careful these days. I am participating in the students'
sensitisation programme on safety and security carried out
Victorian Police. I am a safety ambassador," Trupti Choudhary,
who studies in Victorian University, said.

Harshvardhan, a student of the same university, said he
feels unsafe to step out of his house after 8 pm in the
evening in view of the attacks. PTI BKM
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