Hyderabad, July 10: Asserting that the Australian Government had taken steps to prevent attacks on Indian students, High Commissioner to India John Mc Carthy today said youths embarking on study in Australia needed to be counselled on life there.
He termed the incidents as unfortunate, and characterised them as opportunistic rather than racial crimes.
The High Commissioner today met higher education and NRI Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu and other officials concerned at the Secretariat to discuss the attacks on Indian students, standards in Australian universities, etc.
Australian Consul general, Chennai Hamid-ul-Rahman was also present.
Addressing a joint press conference later, Mc Carthy stressed that there was no “racial’’ motive behind the attacks.
Young people of criminal persuasion were involved.
In general, any city in any country had some unsafe areas, and Australia was no exception.
“I want to make it clear that Australia will ensure security of foreign students.
There is a need to counsel students before they leave their country and after landing in Australia on what an Australian life is and also to warn about areas which are unsafe or are to be avoided during certain hours,’’ he said. Mc Carthy also felt the need for a very thorough investigation into standards of educational institutions in Australia — in particular those offering vocational courses.
“My purpose in visiting the city is to reassure parents,’’ he said.
Replying to a volley of questions, the High Commissioner said no complaints were received by the Australian police about “behavioural change’ among Indian students after the Dr Hanif Ahmed case. Unemployment was not a major factor behind the attacks on Indian students, he added.
Asked about assistance extended to Sravan who was badly injured in one of the attacks, Sridhar Babu said Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy had sanctioned Rs 10 lakh towards medical expenses and was ready to help the victim further on humanitarian grounds.
Meanwhile, an eight-member Australian education delegation is arriving in the city tomorrow to interact with Indian officials, parents and prospective students and will present the details of initiatives taken in Australia to enhance the well-being of international students. The delegation — led by Colin Walters, first assistant secretary from the Australian department of education, will visit eight Indian cities, including Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
–Agencies–