I love India.
So as an Australian I was very saddened when some Indian students were harmed in the southern states of Victoria and New South Wales. At least 14 students were assaulted in May-June in Australia.
At the same time, I was saddened by the Indian press coverage used by some to suggest all Australians are inherently evil.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of Queensland University of Technology, Professor Arun Sharma, travelled to India and encouraged Indian media to avoid 'hype' and correctly portray the situation.
In my area, north of Brisbane, schools had harmony days to promote racial tolerance among students.
I was particularly saddened that Amitabh Bachchan declined an honorary doctorate in Brisbane. I respect Mr Bachchan immensely, however, I believe he missed an opportunity to improve racial understanding – perhaps at the harmony days I just mentioned.
My problem is that in writing ‘my conscience does not permit me to accept this decoration from a country that perpetrates such indignity to my fellow countrymen” he accuses a nation of deliberate action rather than condemn the thugs despised by most Australians.
Not going to a Brisbane, for the attacks in Victoria is comparable to criticizing Chennai for violence in Delhi. Sadly, Australia has areas where most people view unsafe as does India and some of the Melbourne attacks were in these locations.
This is a view I believe is contrary to India’s own history of tolerance. But it must be said that during some religious festivals other religious groups have been targeted in India. However, I would never accuse the Indian nation for the offence.
A dear friend of mine, who established a shelter for 43 children orphaned after the 2004 Tsunami was attacked during the 2008 Ganesh festival.
To be fair, when contacted the local Hindu authorities apologized. India is a melting pot of many faiths living in harmony. The actions of a few individuals do not represent all Indians. Nor should all Australian’s be blamed for a minority’s criminality.
So What Is Happening?
There 1,082 Victorian attacks on Indian students were attacked in the 12 months to June 2007 and 1,447 students registered attacks in the year ending in June 2008 states the South Asia Times. However, I could not verify these figures, however many were similar to attacks experienced by Australians.
Accorsding to prominent Sydney-based Indian activist Yadu Singh, the "issue of security and safety to the highest level" attached to the Indian Consulate who heads a committee concerned with the welfare of Indian students in Australia. He suggested protest rallies were not helpful.
However, Victorian Police have increased policing in areas where Indian students are living.
“Victoria Police is focusing on trouble spots around train stations and the Attorney General has announced the Government will amend the Sentencing Act to take into account racial or religious motives for violence” said Victorian Premier John Brumby.
On the other hand, the Federation of Indian Students of Australia (FISA) has accused Deputy Prime minister Jula Gillard of spin to protect the 15 billion dollar industry.
Australia has no longer has institutionalized racism but is accused of not doing enough to curb student violence.
GOPIO Brisbane Queensland President and publisher of the Brisbane Indian Times, Umesh Chandra, met with the Indian High commissioner, Mrs Sujatha Sigh, and Indian students.
He reported there were two broad groups of students with different experiences.
The first group were legitimate students in Australia solely to be University educated, had correct induction and obeyed Australian laws.
The second group attended Diploma trade courses seeking immigration. Unregulated, commissioned agents in India promote a misinformed dream image of Australia and promised permanent residency after completing their course and work experience.
Well trained in sales, and aware of the legalities, the agents do not make written promises. Some agents and colleges are accused of disguising immigrants as students, taking fees, issuing a work permit and not offering education.
Characteristically, diploma students pay 25% of their fees upfront intending to pay for the remainder working in Australia. They are in their 20’s and thirties, with a dependant spouse, from middle income families owning farming land used as collateral to get a loan.
Sadly, many of the students struggle with English and must compete with many of similar students for work. They find low paying employment and share accommodation with 7 or 8 others in homes meant for two.
“Allegedly many Indian students have been exploited by their own countrymen who have Indian restraints and grocery stores” states The Brisbane Indian Times.
Many realize their dream of living in Australia is best abandoned but find that their family tell them their village or family will be shamed if they return. Even if they want to return, all their saving were spent in getting to Australia.
So some husbands take up hard seasonal labour in distant farming communities and some unscrupulous farmers pay only at the end of the season – keeping men from their families.
Some driving schools are accused of falsely promised quick licenses, charged higher fees and drag out the process to charge more, reports The Brisbane Indian Times.
Feeling disillusioned they do anything to survive. In 2007-08 the unlawful rate among Indian students was 1.48%t of 87,145 Indian visa-holders, compared with 0.99 per cent for the average foreign student.
However, Indian migrants are the second least likely nationality to be jailed in Australia.
The flawed legislation that commercialized education to oversees students has been criticized and some of the fraudulant colleges closed down. The Indian government is considering licensing Agents, and Australia wants to insre students are correctly informed about Australia before students travel.
The number of Indian students studying in Australia rose from 11,313 in 2002 to 96,739 of nearly 500000 international students in 2008.
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chis Evans, assured students that reporting crime will not to police will not affect their visa status. He has strengthened student visa checks in line with other countries that receive large numbers of student visa applications, such as the United States.
Victoria Police has trained English and Hindi speaking volunteers from the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria and the Victorian International Students to man help lines.
I love history, and recognize that the Australia Commonwealth was founded fearing invasion and many tried to be more British than the British.
This led to a fear of the other felt by each new wave of immigrants. The idea that Australian jobs are being stolen by ‘foreigners’ is used by a few idiots who flare up the noisy minority.
It is true that some Australians think that India is a land of endemic caste exploitation. But then ill informed people of all nations like to find fault with other people to boost their low self esteem.
It is equally true that governments have worked to overcome racism.
As I plan to visit India I hope my nationality will not be used against me.
The silent majority welcome Indians, find them friendly and kind, and enjoy cultural diversity.
I wish there were more here.
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