NEW DELHI: Amidst concerns growing following reports of several tragic deaths of Indian students in the United States since January, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, said United States is a safe country and it “cares deeply” for the well-being of Indian students.
He also assured the parents that “their children are our children” when they are in the US.
Garcetti expressed deep concern over the recent incidents while assuring parents that their children’s safety is a top priority for the US. “We care so deeply for the well-being of Indian students in the US. We want parents to know that their children are our children when they are in United States. And, there is a wealth of resources that can help students prepare…in the US, whether it is mental health… and resources for that being far away for home, parents and families,” he said as reported PTI.
While the US remains a preferred destination for higher studies among Indian students, the string of such cases has raised concern among the Indo-American community as well as the Indian population.
Highlighting the importance of students familiarizing themselves with safety measures, Garcetti emphasized the availability of resources for mental health support and public safety. He encouraged students to establish networks, seek trusted friends, and understand protocols in case of dangerous situations or mental health issues.
He said in a new country it could just be an issue of common sense public safety, and students might not know which neighbourhood to go to and not to go to and at what time of night, as also what resources are there.
The US envoy underlined that students going to study in the US should know that there are campus securities, local law enforcements, and that “all these things sometimes students just don’t know, since it is a new country”.
Drawing from his own experience as a student in New York City during the 1980s, Garcetti emphasized the importance of campus security briefings and utilizing available resources for safety. He reassured students that American universities are safe environments but stressed the necessity of proactive engagement with campus security and local law enforcement.
“When I was a student, I went to NYC in the 1980s, which was a pretty dangerous city then. But I sat down and listened to campus security, ‘don’t walk down here at night, don’t go there. Here is a way to stay safe’ and this is before cell-phones. Now, in 2024, we have so many more resources, than when I was a student,” he said.
The envoy said American universities are “extraordinary places” to come to and offer overwhelming experience to students, including Indian students, and he wanted all students to have that rich experience.
“The United States is a safe country. And, there are a lot of resources to help students feel protected. But if they don’t reach out, we might not know about the incidents, before it is too late,” said Garcetti, who had arrived in India in early April last year after receiving the confirmation to the post from the US Senate in March 2023.
A pre-departure orientation programme was held at the American Center here for a group of Indian students who have been chosen for various academic programmes starting this fall at different universities, such as Purdue University, University of Virginia, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, and University of Los Angeles. Many students also joined the event online.
Garcetti briefly interacted with the students and asked them to make the best use of their time in the US and make good use of resources.
“America is a very safe country… And, we want to make sure you are completely safe,” he told students.
In April, a 25-year-old Indian student who had been missing since last month was found dead in the US city of Cleveland. Uma Satya Sai Gadde died in Ohio this month and police are investigating the case.
Sameer Kamath, a 23-year-old Indian-American student at Purdue University, was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana on February 5.
In the wake of such cases, Garcetti said the US wants to provide students and their parents with resources that can help students to stay safe such as websites, links to organisations, and ways to familiarise themselves. He urged students to adhere to campus safety briefings.
American universities attract a large number of Indian students, and last year, the US consular team in India issued over 1,40,000 student visas — more than in any other country in the world setting a record for the third year in a row.
“With a record number, we are going to see these tragic incidents statistically, whether it is in US, or whether it is in India, things happen to students. And, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said there is no evidence of any connection, there is no evidence of any targeting of Indian students. So, this is really about common sense and arming yourselves with knowledge of the resources and the best practices, so that you can have the best experience possible,” Garcetti said in the interview.
“We see so many Indian students whose lives have been enriched, had such wonderful experiences. We want that to be the experience of 100 per cent of Indian students and that is our goal,” he said.
Asked if steps have been taken by US authorities to ensure such incidents do not recur, Garcetti said, “Many things… We care about the well-being of all students in US, including American students”.
(With inputs from agencies)
He also assured the parents that “their children are our children” when they are in the US.
Garcetti expressed deep concern over the recent incidents while assuring parents that their children’s safety is a top priority for the US. “We care so deeply for the well-being of Indian students in the US. We want parents to know that their children are our children when they are in United States. And, there is a wealth of resources that can help students prepare…in the US, whether it is mental health… and resources for that being far away for home, parents and families,” he said as reported PTI.
While the US remains a preferred destination for higher studies among Indian students, the string of such cases has raised concern among the Indo-American community as well as the Indian population.
Highlighting the importance of students familiarizing themselves with safety measures, Garcetti emphasized the availability of resources for mental health support and public safety. He encouraged students to establish networks, seek trusted friends, and understand protocols in case of dangerous situations or mental health issues.
He said in a new country it could just be an issue of common sense public safety, and students might not know which neighbourhood to go to and not to go to and at what time of night, as also what resources are there.
The US envoy underlined that students going to study in the US should know that there are campus securities, local law enforcements, and that “all these things sometimes students just don’t know, since it is a new country”.
Drawing from his own experience as a student in New York City during the 1980s, Garcetti emphasized the importance of campus security briefings and utilizing available resources for safety. He reassured students that American universities are safe environments but stressed the necessity of proactive engagement with campus security and local law enforcement.
“When I was a student, I went to NYC in the 1980s, which was a pretty dangerous city then. But I sat down and listened to campus security, ‘don’t walk down here at night, don’t go there. Here is a way to stay safe’ and this is before cell-phones. Now, in 2024, we have so many more resources, than when I was a student,” he said.
The envoy said American universities are “extraordinary places” to come to and offer overwhelming experience to students, including Indian students, and he wanted all students to have that rich experience.
“The United States is a safe country. And, there are a lot of resources to help students feel protected. But if they don’t reach out, we might not know about the incidents, before it is too late,” said Garcetti, who had arrived in India in early April last year after receiving the confirmation to the post from the US Senate in March 2023.
A pre-departure orientation programme was held at the American Center here for a group of Indian students who have been chosen for various academic programmes starting this fall at different universities, such as Purdue University, University of Virginia, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, and University of Los Angeles. Many students also joined the event online.
Garcetti briefly interacted with the students and asked them to make the best use of their time in the US and make good use of resources.
“America is a very safe country… And, we want to make sure you are completely safe,” he told students.
In April, a 25-year-old Indian student who had been missing since last month was found dead in the US city of Cleveland. Uma Satya Sai Gadde died in Ohio this month and police are investigating the case.
Sameer Kamath, a 23-year-old Indian-American student at Purdue University, was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana on February 5.
In the wake of such cases, Garcetti said the US wants to provide students and their parents with resources that can help students to stay safe such as websites, links to organisations, and ways to familiarise themselves. He urged students to adhere to campus safety briefings.
American universities attract a large number of Indian students, and last year, the US consular team in India issued over 1,40,000 student visas — more than in any other country in the world setting a record for the third year in a row.
“With a record number, we are going to see these tragic incidents statistically, whether it is in US, or whether it is in India, things happen to students. And, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said there is no evidence of any connection, there is no evidence of any targeting of Indian students. So, this is really about common sense and arming yourselves with knowledge of the resources and the best practices, so that you can have the best experience possible,” Garcetti said in the interview.
“We see so many Indian students whose lives have been enriched, had such wonderful experiences. We want that to be the experience of 100 per cent of Indian students and that is our goal,” he said.
Asked if steps have been taken by US authorities to ensure such incidents do not recur, Garcetti said, “Many things… We care about the well-being of all students in US, including American students”.
(With inputs from agencies)