Racist attacks or a planned conspiracy?

Recent attacks in Australia have attracted everyone’s sight towards plight of Indian students in foreign countries. Students are being threatened, beaten, stabbed and even bombed. Is this a student fate? Does a student travel foreign country bearing huge financial burden to suffer these crisis?

From march09 onwards more than 60 attacks have been done on Indian students alone. A count which is known. Nobody knows the actual figure which may be even twice.

Foreign students contribute a lot to Australian economy. As cost of studying in Australia is cheaper than other nations and government policies also encourage welcoming students. The international education industry provides 15 percent of the combined revenues of Australian universities, up to 50 percent in individual universities. In 2007, according to Australia Education International, student enrollments from various nations mainly are China (107071); India (63604); Republic of Korea (34674); Thailand (19987). In 2007 around 378000 international students enrolled in Australian universities from more than 190 countries which accounted for $11.7 billion in 06-07 which may have accounted more in 08-09.

In Australia tuition fees level for domestic student is limited but not for international student. Universities lose money on every local student they enroll while international student is a bonus. Due to large enrollment of foreign students a number of resources are bagged by foreigners which otherwise would be available to local students. High competition to get an entry in good course at prestigious university may be a killing factor evolving among nationals.

With an economic slowdown stretching around the globe, job scenarios are also worsening. Job crunch and insecurity may be another factor too. While Australians are getting fired, foreign students are capping opportunities which are intolerable for a national.

Are these attacks really racist or a conspiracy which isn’t smelled yet? These attacks will lower down the enrollment by foreign students initially by Indian students later on followed by other nationals too. These lowering enrollments will free up resources grabbed by international students easing up competition for the locals. Also if such incidents happens in corporate world too in Australia which is still to be reported, locals will become a choice at the time of hiring thus creating more opportunities for them.

With Chinese students in majority why only Indian students are being targeted is an area of concern. Increasing influence of Indians around the globe may be a point of choosing them. Recently India has been challenging Australian supremacy in many fields whether it is cricket or nuclear fuel availability model which may trigger a feeling of hatred amongst the common man. May be Chinese students were also victims of such attacks and their voices got suppressed by the huge outcry by Indians. In recent rally by Indian students in Australia against these attacks was hugely joined and supported by other international students which proves that they are also victims of such incidents and this time they got a platform to raise their voices too.

Australian government is trying to find out solution to this problem with no direction in sight. Tightened security, high patrolling and awareness among students won’t do much. They should link all the incidents together in order to find out the root cause of the problem, whether it’s a conspiracy or mere discrete incidents. Also they should try to find out what is causing these incidents. Is there any outrage growing in local students or the feel of insecurity is causing this? Or is just an after affect of the meltdown that has rendered the native Australians jobless only to find that the suitable jobs have been occupied by Indians?

Racism is an issue that plagues the society,, it discriminates people. Such feelings mostly stem from fear and inability to accept a foreigner in one’s own land, but with the world turning into a global village, something must be done to remove this menace from its roots.

Racism in India: Double Standards

So a month of atrocities on our fellow countrymen, our youth, Down Under. A foolish and cowardly act by the Australians racists. All sympathies to them and their families who have suffered, living in fear all the time. To be at the receiving end of a fight with no logic whatsoever in a foreign land tests the courage of even the mightiest. A sudden spate of such incidents, clearly racially motivated, has forced many to escape leaving their studies midway, after all life is more important than those hundreds of thousands of rupees which they have spent in getting there and of course the tiring selection procedure . The attacks, clearly visible have been spurred up by the recent success of India on the international platform and also of the Indian students there instilling a sense of insecurity among the natives.

Our Government has denounced those attacks in harshest words. Amitabh Bachchan is not going to accept his Doctorate from Queensland University. Bollywood’s up against shooting there. Waugh’s appealing to the countrymen. Media’s up in arms against Australia. The whole country is showing solidarity to those being attacked. Gosh!! We’re such dangerous victims, ain’t we? Even the Australian PM Rudd can feel the heat with the whole of Australian media denouncing him in harsh words. Meanwhile the racist attacks continue, but we hope that Australian government will take some strict action.

Diversity! What better place to witness it other than India. So a young Aussie kid who has just started to read newspapers would make of India as a place with Integrity in Diversity! Look into your backyard, which we never do, and you’ll be proud to find a sport where we can beat the Aussies any day with our hands down. North Indians and South Indians greet each other so warmly that an Aussie would be embarrassed of the hospitality he offers. Divides here are more prevalent and visible. We don’t even need the caste system to prove this. Including that will make us more invincible than Don Bradman’s team ever was. Come to north and instantly be labelled as a Maddu if you’re a Southy if you are a South Indian or a Chinki if a North-eastern. Go down south and you’re looked upon as a man with no brains if you’re from north. From UP or Bihar? You’re everyone’s bhaiya and if you’re travelling to Mumbai, rest assured, a warm reception awaits you there courtesy, MNS.

Not that the Aussie acts are justified, but if we are pointing a finger at them, do check out that four points back to us at the same time. ‘Sheer hypocrisy’ we cried when Aussie cricket team accused us of racist comments and going against ‘game spirit’. Isn’t the same happening here too? We’re just so good at playing victims. Hypocrisy is just not the word for us brother. We’re probably too much for that. We’re a country where everyone’s got a mindset ready in their self-proclaimed wise brains attached to your caste or your region. Southern people consider themselves to be having the most ‘grey area’ and northern ones to be people who just love to show off. Calling someone Maddu is okay but getting called a Paki is racially offensive and enough to raise a huge hue and cry. And the warmth which we show to north-eastern people especially girls who are subjected to scores of lewd comments and taunted for their Mongolian features.

India has been able to save itself from harmful strictures in International foray with a few legal minds distinguishing casteism from racism. But is it really? Isn’t it just another form of discrimination? But hats off to us for having been able to ward off discussions on this matter at the international level, after all we’re victims not racists!! In no way I’m justifying attacks on Indians that have taken place but if we’re so aware of the pains that these abuses cause then we must introspect our actions as well.

The double standards which we have been maintaining for decades can’t continue like this for long as international community has started to question it. Blogs are full of voices against this hypocrisy. And this hypocrisy has resulted in weakening of our case amongst the international masses. The solidarity will decrease in coming days as the voice against becomes strong. And this is going to make the Indian diaspora more vulnerable as India’s rise seems inevitable making others feel insecure and our track record of discrimination is as bad as it can get, providing them with a perfect excuse. We need to learn to introspect ourselves as well before pointing fingers at others.

Racism Down Under

The 21st century has witnessed some great changes and intense affairs. It saw the appointment of the first black American president, economic meltdown, the Swine Flu epidemic as well as other significant matters. A recent issue that has come into the limelight is the racism taking place against Indians living in Australia. This issue has been highlighted in the public eye and is put under intense media spotlight. It has become the focus of public attention.

People travel to Australia for a variety of reasons which include further studies, vacationing and permanent settlement. Of late, the Indian community has been subjected to various assaults and physical abuse which sometimes take place in their own homes, which is a place of refuge. Innocent students, both boys and girls, are beaten, stabbed and even killed. They have become victims and targets to racist remarks and are no longer safe. They live in fear and are apprehensive of their future in this country. This is a case of extreme racism where the prejudiced Australians are showing discriminatory and abusive behaviour towards members of the Indian race.

Even though the Australian government has apologised and assures safety of Indian nationals, the victims are not convinced. Policemen and security have been given the task of giving protection and support to Indians. The criticality and delicacy of the situation is increasing everyday. It is crucial that matters are dealt with properly and wholeheartedly so that the position of things improves. The topic issue faces unusual difficulty obstacles and uncertain consequences in the future, but a definite solution must be constructed and established.

The Indian foreign minister, Mr. S. M. Krishna feels that the situation is being handled effectively and efficiently and is relatively satisfied with the state of things. Apparently, his are empty promises and false assurances as there has been no improvement in the social situation and unfortunate circumstances. Individuals are still living in danger and there is no guarantee of their safety. No measures have been taken as of now and the condition of the Indians there keeps worsening. The Indian society in Australia is being affected as we speak. This has stirred problems for the politicians and higher authorities as they are being questioned and interrogated.

Even after protests and demonstrations, the incidents and attacks continue. Indian individuals are still ill treated and discrimination on the basis of skin colour discrimination is being made without interruption. With racism taking place even among young students, who are the future leaders and generation of tomorrow, countries can never dream of flourishing. Multiculturalism should be encouraged and people should be open minded.

These mishaps have called for civil defence and vindication. In these troubled times of uncertainty, there is no room for social disregard. Instead of fights and opposition, people should unite and come together to handle bigger problems like global warming and overcoming epidemics. Matters must be resolved and dealt with and eventually life will go back to normal. People’s priorities must be altered and petty pleasures and acts which are badly intended should not be executed. This violence and narrow mindedness must be condemned and the culprits must be severely punished. Prospective students are waiting for reassurance and hope things turn out for the better.

Nowadays, Australia is seen as a great education destination and a convenient and comparatively cheaper alternative to Indian students who wish to study abroad. Perhaps in the light of recent events, it may see a downturn in the number of foreign students and other Indian visitors. Now, one thinks twice before going there, even if he is not a student. The country has come to be associated with apprehension, doubt and fear.