Australia unrest gives parents sleepless nights

The racism row in Australia has watered down the aspirations of thousands of students of Gujarat. The land down under is no more the preferred destination it was for those wishing to pursue studies there.

The situation, an ugly one for the Indians there, is now one in which many are booking return tickets for home fearing further racist attacks in the months to follow. The parents of students in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and many other Australian cities are having sleepless nights, fearing for the safety of their children.

“It is sad that the government is not able to take any steps to control the situation,” said Yasheksha Bhatt, whose son Parth is studying business management in Brisbane. “Such incidents are common. My son has also gone through the trauma of walking alone on roads and travelling by himself in trains.”

Bhatt said that her family has been a worried lot and that she speaks to her son twice a day. “Our only advice to him is to return once his studies there end. It is too risky to live there,” she said.

Gemini Nagri’s children Vishal and Darshini are both in Australia. “Vishal is working there, so there is not much for him to worry about. Darshini is a student. But since her hostel is near her university, her safety is assured,” she said.

However, as a parent, Gemini said she still harbours a degree of fear and has advised them against moving around, especially at night.

Back in Sydney, Darshini said that such incidents, of racism, have been taking place for some time, but never on such large a scale. “Victims of racism never report the incidents for fear of being involved in police cases. Drunkards and druggies pass racist comments while passing, and attack those who respond,” she said.

In fear of this, Indians there prefer to not retaliate. “So, this issue was never highlighted. But, the number of incidents has now increased, leaving no option but to report them. But Sydney is still safer than Melbourne,” Darshini said.

Hiren Patel, a 32-year-old student of Central Queensland University, said that the protests by Indian students in Australia may only widen the dispute and result in prejudiced circumstances for Indians in the future.

He said that Indians are considered to be hard working and have made a mark even amid the economic slowdown, which may be reasons for the rift.

“There is a huge Indian population in Australia. The positive side is that Indian are present in nearly all sectors and contribute greatly to the economy. We receive at least 10 calls every day from parents and students already in Australia or wishing to head there in the near future. Though a large number want to go there, the incidents of 2009 may affect the numbers,” said Yashpal Erda, manager, Planet Education (Sydney).

Ashok Pillai, general manager of Planet Education (a consultancy that facilitates the sending of students to Australia for further education), said that around 5,000 students from Gujarat travelled to Australia every year, forming the second-largest contingent after China.

“We are constantly in touch with students we have sent there. Certain issues are only media hype. The ragging in India is equally dangerous. The Australian government is trying its best to bring about a change in the system,” he said.

(Mansi Lavsi contributed to this article)