Indian students in Australia urged to be calm

September 25th, 2009 NEW DELHI - John Brumby, the premier of Australian state of Victoria, Friday proposed to give separate transportation and safe housing for Indian students studying in Australia. Union Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, after a meeting with a nine-member delegation led by Brumby, said: "It is a proposal by the Australian government.

September 15th, 2009 MELBOURNE - Three Indians were brutally assaulted in a suburb in this Australian city by a group of youths who allegedly made racist remarks. Omkar Singh, a relative of the victims, told IBN news channel Tuesday that the attack took place when his relatives were playing pool in Epping.

July 22nd, 2009 PHUKET - Ahead of Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna's visit to Australia Aug 5, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith Wednesday assured him that his government was doing everything possible to ensure the safety of nearly 100,000 Indian students in that country.

July 8th, 2009 HYDERABAD - Australian authorities will counsel Indian students on the "dos and don'ts" to be kept in mind while pursuing higher studies Down Under following the spate of attacks on students there, Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy announced Wednesday. McCarthy assured the Andhra Pradesh government that his country would take all steps to protect Indian students.

July 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Against the backdrop of continuing attacks on Indian students in Australia, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Wednesday announced he would be travelling to that country on a bilateral visit soon.

June 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy says every possible effort will be made to ensure that attacks on Indian students in Australia are not repeated, adding that the authorities will "pursue those responsible" for the assaults. In a letter to the Non-Aligned Students and Youth Movement (NASYM) that had staged a demonstration here June 18 against the attacks on Indian students in Australia, McCarthy said: "The Australian government will make every effort to ensure that attacks are not repeated and that Australia remains a preferred destination for students from around the world." He said that the Australian government is working closely with the Indian government on the issue.

June 12th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Friday called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and appealed to him to set up a grievance response mechanism in the ministry of external affairs (MEA) for Indian students abroad. He expressed concern over racial attacks on Indian students in Australia and said there should be a joint meeting of Australia high commissioner in India, MEA officials and parents of students in major cities of the country, including Gujarat.

June 11th, 2009 SYDNEY - In the face of Indians here alleging racial attacks, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Wednesday asserted that Australia is one of the "safest places in the world" for foreign students. He also warned against revenge attacks after reports of vigilante-like groups being formed in Melbourne and Sydney.

June 10th, 2009 SYDNEY - The unending attacks on Indian students in Australia are a "regrettable fact of urban life", Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Wednesday, warning Indians not to avenge the assaults on them. "The truth is, in our cities right across the country, there are acts of violence every day," Rudd was quoted in newspaper Australian as saying.

June 4th, 2009 GANDHINAGAR - Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has suggested that Australian High Commission officials in New Delhi should talk to the worried parents to reassure the safety of their wards in that country in the wake of alleged racist attacks on Indian students there. In a letter addressed to External Affairs Minister S.M.

June 1st, 2009 GANDHINAGAR - Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Monday said students from the state studying in Australia are free to contact him if they faced any danger. "The chief minister is worried about the safety of the students from Gujarat studying in Australia after the racial attacks on some students of Indian origin last week.

June 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Monday said that India was in touch with Australia over protests by Indian students alleging racist attacks and expressed the hope that their problems will get "sorted out".

May 30th, 2009 MELBOURNE - Deeply concerned over the spate of attacks on its members, the Federation of Indian Students of Australia (FISA) has called for a peace rally Sunday "in response to the growing anger in the community". The spurt in crimes against Indian students in Sydney and Melbourne has left one battling for life while another is recuperating from a deep stab injury.

May 29th, 2009 BANGALORE - External Affairs minister S. M. Krishna on Friday said that the Australian Government has given it assurance about the safety of Indian students living in Australia.

May 28th, 2009 MELBOURNE - In the wake of the attacks on Indian students in the country, an Australian police officer is to travel to India to brief prospective students on avoiding street violence in Australia, media reports said. Police community liaison officer Senior Constable Victor Robb said that his advice would mainly cover "safety strategy tips", Radio Australia reported Thursday.