Washington D.C: US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti urged Indian students to remain cautious, and vigilant and take appropriate safety precautions. To increase their awareness and readiness, students should use campus safety services and maintain relationships with their classmates, according to the US Envoy to India.
In a recent interview, Garcetti acknowledged the distressing incidents involving Indian Students. Additionally, he mentioned that these kinds of accidents are statistically possible in a nation this size and he advised the students to exercise caution and take the necessary safety precautions. He said that he has spoken to many families who have faced this tragedy with their son or daughter and ensured that they take issues seriously to bring the perpetrators to justice.
He made sure that the US government was making efforts to hold the offenders accountable and provide justice to the victims’ families. He counselled Indian students to exercise caution, become acquainted with safe neighbourhoods, and heed traveller advice from all across the world.
The envoy emphasized the value of travelling in groups, maintaining relationships with peers, and abstaining from dangerous behaviour, such as the usage of illegal drugs. He also encouraged students to engage with campus safety resources to enhance their awareness and preparedness. With almost 2, 45,000 Indian students pursuing education in the United States, safety has become a paramount issue for students and their families.
While responding to questions regarding the perception of safety in American colleges compared to countries like Australia and New Zealand, Garcetti ensured that while challenges exist, crime rates, especially violent crime, have decreased significantly in recent years. he said that it is much less compared to the 1970s and 80s. He assured that the US is a safe destination for Indian students and offered a warm welcome to Indians to work and pursue education there.
There have been some disturbing events involving people of Indian origin recorded recently. In the first two months of 2024, there have been reports of up to five Indian students dying in various events. A 25-year-old Indian student from Cleveland went missing in March, and his family, having received a ransom demand, has begged EAM (External Affairs Ministry) to locate their son.
Hyderabadi native Mohammed Abdul Arafat left for the US in May 2023 to complete his master’s degree in information technology at Cleveland University, but he hasn’t been seen since March 7, 2024. According to his father, they received a call demanding a ransom of USD 1,200 for their son.
