Recently there has been a story of a Pune boy who had gone missing in USA has gone viral and is over all the news. This is not just his story since as per the government data, as many as 403 Indian students have died abroad since 2018 due to various reasons which includes natural causes as well as accidents.
403 Indian Students Dead Abroad since 2018; Highest in Canada
Across all 34 nations, it was Canada where in most of the deaths occurred.
Union Minister V Muraleedharan presented this data in Rajya Sabha and said that 403 Indian students have died abroad since 2018.
As per the data by the ministry, since 2018, as many as 91 deaths of Indian students has been reported in Canada. This is followed by United Kingdom with 48 deaths, followed by Russia (40), the United States (36), Australia (35), Ukraine (21), Germany (20), Cyprus (14), Italy and the Philippines (10 each).
While working towards the prevention of any such mis-happenings in future, he requested the centre to commit to address individual cases as well as to look after the safety and wellbeing of such students.
Safety & Security of Indian Students Foremost Priority
He said that “The safety and security of Indian students abroad is one of the foremost priorities for the Government of India”. He added that in case any untoward action or incident is reported, it has been taken up immediately by the host countries to ensure that the proper investigation is done and the perpetrators are punished.
He added there is a comprehensive assistance offered to distressed students, which includes emergency medical care, boarding, and lodging when in need.
Arindam Bagchi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson told reporters in one of the briefing that “I don’t know if this is an issue that merits taking up with the government. There are individual incidents where there has been foul play and others… Our consulates do reach out to families, we also take it up such cases with the local authorities”.
