Firstly I feel pleasure to right this email to you in regards for being thankful for sending me to Australia. However, the recent instances which happened in Melbourne and Sydney and has threatened many students and their guardians for pushing back them towards withdrawing their proposals. In this regards I would like to take the opportunity to inform you that the situations which happened has alerted the Australian. Govt. and other social bodies to take the initiative steps required and have taken the safety measures to control and put them in the proper order. I here by advice all the students and their parents not to scare or threaten which took place and also assure you that in other cities like Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin, Melbourne and Sydney are now in safe position and the students interests and their safety is safeguarded without any further suspicions and doubts. I here by also ensure that whichever the threats or attacks have took place have also proven that it is due to risk prevailed in sensitive areas where the risk of attacks are high.
Looking at the situation with an aerial view, I strongly recommend the students to safeguard themselves with having little cash in their hand and couple of cigarettes just for the sake of escaping from any kind of attacks in which the probability is also less now. I also advice the students not to make late nights and hanging out with drinks and misbehavior on the roads.
Totally agree with the fact that certain leaders from both the Indian and as well as other communities have strongly condemned the rising crime in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. I also agree with the fact that all the attacks are not racially motivated on anyone in Melbourne or Sydney. Attacks as violent as these have sparked immense criticisms from India, but the entire story has been blown out of proportion by the Indian media. The Indian media has just woken up from a long slumber sleep. Why would they not report violence against Indians from Africa? I believe from the media facts and statistics that violent crime against Indians in Uganda, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria are extremely violent. They are far worse from what happens in Australia and Europe.
I feel that its quite unfortunate for students to be attacked with knives by gangs of thugs or teens looking for money. At a time like this, we have to appreciate what steps the Australian government and police have taken to resolve in the coming days.
My advice to all Indian students in Melbourne is that you are solely responsible for your security. The police and the local government can only help through increasing their levels of supervision in Melbourne. I've been here for three years and have done three different courses at La Trobe. I've similar incidents from all nationalities. What differentiates us from them is that we now have a local organization to hear our complaints and misery, whereas they don't. Attacks against Chinese, Japanese, Middle East and other Asian students have also taken place in the past.
Remember one thing my friends at La Trobe: All attacks in Australia are for money, drugs, alcohol and gambling, none are against race! You need to comprehend that fact because its strongly recommended that all of us this point work together with the police and our university to help all international students and not just Indian students. All of us here are like a community, which can work strongly in the future with the help of mutual collaboration of efforts, friendship and last but not least, integration.
I am here to tell you about the attacks on Indian students in Melbourne. I want to support the students, very happy for Storm group for their concern towards safety and well being of all students living in Australia. I am staying in Melbourne and I never faced any problem here and busy with my studies and work! I would like to share a few tips to my dear friends coming to Australia
1. You should always be Alert in such situations and try to avoid getting into arguments. 2. The main problem arises from late night parties, one must return early to home and avoid being on roads in the might night.
3. Must Speak in English only and not in our native languages.
4. Use of rude and filthy language would lead to unhealthy argument this is seen rude talking loudly and lengthy conversation in mobile phones when you are using public transport .
Hi Suman
We are doing good here. Well basically in Australia at the moment its quiet. Its a trouble for students who work night shifts or odd hours. Normally there is racism every where in the world so its better to avoid public transport during unusual times. Its extra hype by media in India, Some cases its genuine that they ask for money or try to rob u off. but in which part of the world all this doesn't happen?
The main problem for all students is getting part time jobs, there is a lot of under pay as well. So, plz advice them to carry at-least 6 months expenses when they come here.
I am fine here. I got exams from next week. So preparing for exams. well even my parents called me couple of times and told me not to go to job, coz it will 12.30am by the time I reach home after my job. But the conditions here are not so bad like the media creating mess in India. If your time is not good, you have to face with this types of bashing and stabbings. So I am not much worried about this mess.
Thank you very much for your mail, MY wishes to Prasanth & Srinivas, Thanks again for your help,care& concern about me