Nine lives lost: The disturbing trend of Indian student deaths in the US

By Our Reporter
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Top row l-r: Vivek, Akul, Amarnath; Middle row l-r: Nikesh, Paruchi, Sameer; Bottom row l-r: Dinesh, Janavi, Neel

Tragic events have unfolded, casting a shadow over the safety of Indian students in the United States. The community is reeling from the shock of losing nine students in separate incidents in 2024, sparking a wave of concern and a desperate plea for answers and accountability.

The series of unfortunate events began with the mysterious death of 18-year-old Akul B Dhawan, found lifeless outside the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His family, devastated, points to negligence and demands clarity on what led to their son’s untimely demise. The grief is palpable, the questions unanswered, and the quest for truth persists.

In a heartbreaking incident in Georgia, Vivek Saini, an MBA student, met a tragic fate after showing kindness to a homeless individual. The same person he aided brutally attacked him, leading to his death. This act of violence underscores the unpredictable dangers lurking in everyday encounters, highlighting the vulnerability of international students in unfamiliar territories.

The disappearance of Neel Acharya, a computer science student, after an Uber ride to Purdue University ended in despair when his body was discovered days later. The circumstances of his death remain shrouded in mystery, leaving friends and family grappling with the loss of a promising young life.

Shreyas Reddy Beniger’s death at the Linder School of Business in Ohio under mysterious conditions adds to the growing list of unsolved cases. Despite authorities dismissing foul play, the community and his family call for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind his untimely death.

The violence reached a crescendo with the fatal shooting of Amarnath Ghosh near St. Louis. An aspiring dancer, Ghosh’s life was cut short, a stark reminder of the senseless violence that can strike at any moment, leaving dreams shattered and potential unfulfilled.

Sameer Kamath’s discovery in an Indiana nature preserve adds another name to the tragic tally, his death creating a void in his family’s life and raising alarms about the safety of Indian students in the US.

The mysterious demise of G Dinesh and Nikesh in Connecticut underlines the perplexity and pain experienced by the bereaved families, who confront the harrowing reality of losing loved ones without understanding why or how.

The recent death of Paruchuri Abhijit, an engineering student at Boston University, found in a forest over a purported “stolen laptop,” epitomises the gravity of the situation. Each incident, laden with sorrow and unanswered questions, underscores the urgent need for scrutiny and action.

These deaths have sparked outrage and a desperate call for action. The pattern of tragedies befalling Indian students in the US has raised suspicions of a deeper malaise, possibly rooted in racial discrimination and hate crimes. The community’s outcry for justice and transparency is amplified by the apparent lack of thorough investigations and accountability from U.S. authorities.

The incident involving Jaahnavi Kandula last year, where an irresponsible act by a police officer led to her death, still echoes in the collective memory of the Indian community, reinforcing the perception of neglect and insensitivity towards the plight of Indian students abroad.

As these incidents mount, the call for the media to shed light on these tragedies grows louder. The need for a concerted effort to protect students, ensuring their safety and rights, is more pressing than ever. The demand is clear: action must be taken to prevent further loss of life and to uphold the value of every student’s life, irrespective of nationality.

The continuous loss of young Indian lives on foreign soil has not only devastated families but also raised critical questions about the safety and welfare of international students in the United States. As the Indian community seeks answers and accountability, the larger narrative unfolds, revealing the need for systemic change and heightened awareness to protect the vulnerable and ensure that the promise of education abroad does not turn into a perilous journey.

As this situation develops, the global community watches, waiting to see if these tragic losses will catalyse the necessary actions to prevent further tragedies and ensure that international students can pursue their academic and life goals in a safe and welcoming environment. The call for justice and safety echoes beyond borders, seeking to transform grief into action and loss into legacy.


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