Australian authorities propose 24-hr helpline for Indian students

23 June : Australian authorities have committed to provide all assistance to Indian students and have proposed to launch a helpline for Indian students.Australian Education Secretary Lisa Paul met Minister for Overseas Indian affairs Vayalar Ravi in the capital where she informed that Australian Education Minister interacted with Indian students. 

She said that Australia is committed to have a helpline for Indian students to lodge their complaints and to seek other support. She also said that more information centres will be opened for overseas students.In his response, Vayalar Ravi expressed satisfaction over the steps being taken by Australian authorities. He, however, said that the results must be seen on ground. 

Hyderabad youth latest victim of racial assaults in Australia 

Racial attacks on Indian students in Australia continued unabated with a 20-year-old youth from Hyderabad becoming the latest victim of a spate of assaults on the community members when he was badly punched on the face. 

M A Khan, pursuing hospitality course from Victoria Institute of Technology, was walking near a railway station in eastern suburb of Melbourne on Monday evening when two Caucasian men, wearing hooded jackets, walked-up to him and punched him without any provocation. 

Khan was punched so badly that he suffered cuts below his eyes and forehead and was admitted to a local hospital were he received multiple stitches on his face."Two guys came from the side in front of me and gave a very bad punch on my face and ran away. This incident happened around 5.30 p.m, the peak hour of traffic on the road," Khan, who had moved to Melbourne last year, said. 

"They did not ask for any money or anything, they did not try to snatch anything from me. After 10 minutes, police came down there and ambulance also," he added.This was the 15th attack on Indian students in Australia in less than a month. 

Meanwhile, Khan's mother, who went into depression after hearing the news, requested the Australian government to ensure safety of Indian students."I request the Australian government to ensure safety of Indian students and help my son," she told a TV channel in Hyderabad. 

Khan's cousin Syed Maqbool said, "We were very worried when we came to know of his condition after his friends called up. Particularly his mother went into depression after hearing the news".
Pvt detectives to suggest security measures for Indians in Oz , In the wake a series of racial attacks in Australia, a group of private detectives from the national capital are now going Down Under to suggest security measures for Indians there.

Following a meeting with officials of the Australian High Commission, which was also attended by Australian private detective agencies, it was decided to send a team to allay fears of Indians.
"We were called by the Australia High Commission here to talk about different security measures to be provided to the Indian community in Australia. Representatives from private security agencies in Australia also attended the meet," President of Central Association of Private Security Industry, Kunwar Vikram Singh, said.During the meet, the participants agreed that there was a strong feeling of fear among the Indians, who are working or studying there and decided to form a mechanism to provide security to them, he said.

"A three-member special team will be going to Australia to analyse the security situation there. The team will also be meeting administrative authorities, representatives of Indian communities and family members of the victims of racial attacks," Singh said. 

Singh said Indian community members in Australia have also asked them for help following the racial attacks. A total of 16 students were attacked there during the past one month."Our main aim is to work to create safe security environment for Indian students and professionals in Australia. A number of parents, professionals and community members have also contacted us seeking private security for them," he said.He added, "We have chalked out a number of plans for the Indians living there. We will, with the help of Australian security agencies, form quick response teams to help people in need," Singh added.According to Singh, private security agencies in Australia are flooded with requests from Indian community members seeking security.
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By :  News Team