ADVERTISEMENT
Diaspora body issues recommendations to prevent Indian student deaths in US
Since the beginning of this year, 11 Indian students, who went to pursue higher studies in the United States, were either killed or died mysteriously.
FIIDS analyzed the causes behind the incidents and issued a set of recommendations. / Image- FIIDS Logo
Amid the rising cases of Indian-origin student deaths in the United States, the Foundation of Indian and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) a US-based non-profit has issued a set of recommendations to prevent such cases.
This comes after an alarming spike in tragic deaths of Indian students in the United States was recorded in a span of 4-5 months, leading to raised concerns among the students, Indo-American community as well as Indian parents.
FIIDS analyzed the causes of these incidents range and found that they range from suspicious shootings/kidnapping, environmental deaths due to lack of safety knowledge ( monoxide poisoning, hypothermia), mental issues triggering suicides, and even suspicious accidents to violent crimes.
Two Indian students #MohammedAbhulArafat & #UmaSatyaSaiGadde suspiciously died this week in the US making 11 deaths in 3 months (visit link) ! Concerned with the spike in #IndianStudentdeaths , #FIIDSUSA published analysis https://t.co/8wfvTJ1re6 recommending investigations to…
— FIIDSUSA (@FIIDSUSA) April 9, 2024
Dr. Lakshmi Thalanki, from Boston, who compiled reports of deaths of over ten students noted that “the sudden surge of deaths among Indian students are alarming and suspicious”.
Khanderao Kand, FIIDS chief of policies and strategy said, “Indian origin students according to Open Doors Report (ODR) are around 275k making 25 percent of total foreign students and bringing in $9B per year in terms of fees an expenses. However, recent increase in their deaths is concerning and if not addressed, would impact their confidence on safety in the US universities impacting the inflow of students. ”
In its report, the organization has issued a set of recommendations to the Department of State, Department of Justice, Education Department, Universities, student organizations as well as Indo-American community to prevent such cases.
The main recommendations include:
• Enhancing safety education by providing foreign students comprehensive safety education programs to be aware of the potential climate or locality related risks
• Improving search and rescue procedures that can help to reduce response times during emergencies or accidents
• Implementing stricter rules against fraternity ragging that cause serious risks to students’ physical and mental health, leading to accidents, injuries, and trauma
• Providing culturally sensitive mental health support to foreign students, particularly those facing isolation or cultural adjustment challenges.
In addition to these, the organization has also provided separate recommendations to each department as well as the universities and community organizations that are associated with the students.
“Overall, these recommendations aim to create a safer and more supportive environment for foreign students studying in the United States, promoting their well-being and academic success,” FIIDS said in a statement.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
.jpeg)
.png)
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login