Mumbai: International students from ISH find safe haven, finally

Prime The state government may want to make the state's economy into a trillion dollar one and dream of making the city into an International finance centre. However, all this grandstanding seldom reflects on the condition of the city's International hostel.

International students studying in the dilapidated Churchgate hostel were finally shifted to a makeshift arrangement in Goregaon. The hostel has been in a bad condition especially after a slab collapsed at the Churchgate in June month this year.

The step was taken after several complaints from the International students staying in the hostel. Complaints galore even about the malfunctioning lift which forced students to climb 11 floors of the hostel building.

An official from Mumbai University, said, "The arrangement of shifting of students was done by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). The international hostel has now been closed for renovation. The University just helped ICCR to find another accommodation."

According to the MU official, the international students are from Patkar-Varde College at Goregaon, thus, they have been shifted to a nearby area.

According to sources, almost 80-85 per cent international students have been shifted to Goregaon. However, one floor of the hostel is still occupied by a few international students who are reluctant to shift from that area.

LIVING IN PERIL

• A slab from a wall of the ISH building collapsed in June, this year 
   
• The rehabilitation took place after five months of the incident 
   
• Students from countries like Sweden, Africa and Afghanistan live in the hostel