Another Indian student stabbed in Australia

The attackers demanded money and as Singh was searching his bag to find his wallet,he was stabbed in the abdomen. Singh screamed for his life,but his attackers laughed and fled the scene. Singh,is recuperating from an emergency surgery at the Alfred Hospital.

In the aftermath of the attack,police official Darrell Allen said the incident was an “opportunistic crime”,but was not racially motivated. He added,“We fear that if we don’t act quickly and get the public’s assistance there will be further attacks in the future.”

A youth from Andhra Pradesh was also brutally attacked along with three of his friends by Australian teenagers. Shravan Kumar (25) was attacked with a screwdriver over the weekend and is in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital here. Doctors are “not very optimistic” about his recovery,Indian Consul General Anita Nair said.

Reacting to the violence,Deputy PM and Education Minister Julia Gillard said she wanted to send the message that “international students are very welcome in this nation.” She said,“Australia will not tolerate discrimination against or victimisation of any of our international students.”

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said he was “appalled” by the attacks and that action is being taken as investigations are underway. He added that Australia takes “very seriously” its reputation as a safe destination for Indian students. To provide support,information and advice to Indian students,Smith said,a hotline,staffed with volunteers who are fluent in English and Hindi,has been established.

Deputy Prime Minister Gillard also announced a new initiative in Parliament — a round table of international student representatives. “The government will invite international student representatives to participate in a round table to discuss issues affecting their study experience such as accommodation,welfare and safety,” she said. “With over 4,30,000 international students visiting Australia annually,it is important to me that their views and concerns are heard,” Gillard added.

The Education Services for Overseas Students Act of 2000,which defines the standards expected for all education providers engaging in international education would be further reviewed,the Deputy Prime Minister said. The Act would be reviewed to “make sure the framework for regulation of overseas education meets world’s best standards,” she declared. While highlighting the diversity of the country,Gillard acknowledged the contribution of international students to Australia’s multi-cultural society.

Meanwhile,the Australian police on Thursday arrested two teenagers allegedly involved in a racist attack on Indian student Saurabh Sharma in a Melbourne train. Sharma (21) was bashed and robbed in a train by teenagers on May 9. Police are now questioning the two boys,aged 16 and 18,after searching two homes on Thursday.