An attacker, this time a man of Indian origin has been accused of brutally murdering an Indian toddler just few days back in Melbourne.
Reports say that Dhillon Gursewak, 23, cabbie, has been charged for barbarously killing a three year toddler and shares NO relations with the child! He used to reside in the same house in David Street. Also, sources confirmed the involvement of his wife in the crime too. The culprit, however, was refused bail.
The victim, Gurshan Singh Channa from Punjab was there in Australia with his parents since January, where he was callously killed by the criminal. Following the missing complaints from the parents, an aggressive research lead to his corpse which was lying dumped at the Wildwood Road.
It was said that the family was due return back to their country, but the destiny had something else in stored for them. Police has confirmed that the exact cause behind the crime is yet to come out and confirmed that the body found at the Wildwood Road showed no signs of trauma.
The circumstances are different as compared to other attacks which recently happened in the Aussie country! Therefore one should NOT take this one in the context of racial attacks. Till the time the police confirm any motive; people must not jump to any conclusion!
Recently Aussie leg spinner Shane Warne attended a picnic with some Indians, in an attempt to iron out the creases between India and Australia after the recent racial attacks on foreign students.
The picnic event was held in Melbourne, where the Aussie cricketer and the captain of Rajasthan Royals were flocked by some Indians seeking his autographs. Warnie went on to say that as a Victorian, it is critical for him to maintain the relationships between both the nations.
Earlier, Warne was given the responsibility to ease out the tension (http://blog.abhinav.com/indian-aussie-tension-may-ease-out-courtesy-shane-warne/) between the two nations. Cricket is a game that is widely popular amongst people of both the origins and may act as a perfect source to bring peace, unity and love between Australia and India! The choice is perfect too, as the cricketer holds an equal amount of popularity amongst both Australian and Indian audience!
He said that he is eager to know what the students think about this issue and what their current feelings on this aspect are! He defended Victoria, saying that it is a great city to live in. He added that he simply love India!
Warnie also dined with the students, and assured them that Australia is one of the safest places to live in! Attempts of such kind are desperately needed to mend the relations between both the countries.
The Rajasthan Royals captain will leave for India on 4rth March to take part in IPL3 starting from March 12 onwards!
Condemning the racial attacks on Indians in Australia, the “Vindaloo Against Violence” was organized. This was a protest in a dining form where in more than seventeen thousand people enrolled to participate in the campaign. These included everyone from politicians to policemen to the local citizens of Australia.
The campaign first went viral before going global. Starting from an ordinary event involving hundred people via the social networking site – Facebook, it has turned into a mass event across the planet.
The thirty five year old Mia Northrop who was the organizer of this event has been getting invitations from people sitting in Tajikistan to Tokyo, New York, Amsterdam and Stockholm to support the cause.
This clearly shows the phenomenal response that the campaign has received which showed towards the Indian community of four hundred and fifty thousand. Northrop who is a digital media designer by profession, is more than happy to see the positive turn that her small campaign has taken.
Around four hundred Indian restaurants spread across Australia participated. After having the record of the busiest day by Tiffins, it had to close down its website. Tiffins is a curry courier service in Melbourne. The day was so busy that an additional of four vans was aiding their five bikes fleet to ensure the thousand deliveries were made on time during lunch.
Further, in support of the campaign, John Brumby – the state’s premier along with the police dined out to show their support to the cause. Also, the menu of the state’s parliament was converted to Indian in respect to the cause.
On the other hand, Queensland was host to an eating contest and the cafeteria of the parliament consisted of a curry - only menu as well.
Despite the support, it is still yet to be seen as to whether this act actually prevents any attacks in the future!
Just when Victoria was regarded as the most preferred destination to live in for Indians, Australia’s Opposition Leader Tony Abbott affirmed that Melbourne is not a protected place for Indians. The recent series of racial attacks, with a majority of them happening in Melbourne has adulterated its image to a greater extent.
The minister went on to affirm that it becomes necessary for the Melbourne government to spend money and barricade the flurry of racial attacks happening on Melbourne roads.
The remarks came in wake of government’s announcement of lavishing $250,000 on accommodation and flights for the media delegates who would be attending AR Rahman’s concerts and tour the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The expenditure would be handled by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Abbott said that it would have been better to spend money in a cause that would prevent bashing and further enhance the relationship between both the nations. He said that it would be a wiser option to spend the money on policing the roads, as Melbourne’s streets are not at all safe, and forms one of the biggest problems.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that almost $10,000 would be spent on the each media delegate. Abbott said that racial incidents happen on unsafe roads; therefore, it becomes necessary to solve the core problem first.
Issues of such kinds need to be addressed in a serious way. With racial attacks becoming one of the topmost issues, money should be spent on solving them rather them wasting them on media delegates and their luxuries!
According to the Australian Immigration and Citizenship Department, statistics show that Victoria has become the most desired place to live/immigrate as compared to other premises in the year 2008-2009. India has been applauded as the main source of migrants for the past six years in a row.
However, the recent flurry of attacks has played a critical role in affecting the relationship between both the nations in a major way. On the other hand, Melbourne has seen a huge decline in the Indian migrants with a majority of recent attacks happening in Melbourne itself.
Coming back to Victoria, 6191 Indian immigrants settled in the state, in addition to Indian students and workers. New South Wales became the second most desired state amongst Indians, stating 5547 people settled in the year.
Despite all the controversies and racial attacks, India managed to outshine China as the main source for providing overseas students to Australia, a majority of students involved in vocational courses. Stats say that by mid-2009, India provided 91,440 students as compared to 76,417 students.
Apart from Indians, Victoria remains the most preferred place for Malaysians and Sri Lankans too. But the recent attacks on Indians would surely have an impact on Australia’s population and economic growth in the upcoming future.
Immigration, as a facet is nice, but when incidents like racial attacks happen on a regular basis, it surely creates a sense of doubt in the minds of applicants!
The Indian government, from time to time, has demanded appropriate answers from their Australian counterparts over the issue of racial attacks happening in the land of Kangaroos. Now, Indian High Commissioner to Australia Sujatha Singh has expressed her concerns for the parents who send their children to study in Australia.
Sujatha has warned that the attacks would have long-term consequences until and unless some strict measures are not taken! On her visit to the Oz land, she said that the recent spate of attacks, especially the ones happening around Melbourne are alarming and it is vital for everyone to know that Indians are filled with rage and anger over the whole issue of what is going on in Australia.
She said that the main issue is the increase in the number of attacks that are disproportionately influencing Indians in a major way. She went on ask various questions whether Indians are really safe in Australia and also, why Indians always end up being the victims if these attacks? Are the culprits given appropriate punishment?
India now demands stern action against whatever has happening with Indians in Oz, in recent times. Sujatha Singh also cross-examined the Aussie Government whether the situation would better out or worsen further!
In her quest of finding answers, she met Victorian premier John Brumby and talked about the measures taken by the Oz government to improve the law and order for overseas students.
Earlier, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith confirmed that some attacks might have a hint of racism cuddled in them!
Oz tourism minister is much worried about the image of Australia, as the instances of racial attacks on international students continue to grow! Martin Ferguson said during his recent visit to India that post the attacks, the country’s image had to suffer to a considerable degree and he further added that the image would further suffer if the issues are not addressed in the right time!
The minister assured that Australian law enforcement agencies have taken appropriate measures in respect with the increasing number of attacks on Indian students. Until now, Australia recorded a number of sixty-seven prosecutions in terms of long-term imprisonment. He is very concerned about the nation’s image of being a safe welcoming society. He asserted, they can retain this image if issues like racial attacks are attended as soon as possible!
According to the minister, Indian students become victims of these attacks because they live in some of the crime-prone areas in Australia. Melbourne has been touted as one of the cities where most of the racial attacks have been recorded. Another reason why these students are being assaulted is they work in late night shifts. There was a twenty-seven percent of increase in number of students during the year 2008-2009, as compared to the previous year. And over fifty percent of the students live in Victoria, one of the most crime-prone provinces in Australia.
Mr. Ferguson believes measures should be taken to ensure quality education to the Indian students, which can be afforded by the latter without having to spend much time working. He hopes by letting them avoid hard work to survive, like working in late night shifts may decrease the risk of being attacked!
As the racial attacks in Australia on Indian students is not seeming to stop, the Victoria Police chief came up with an interesting, rather ridiculous advise for the Indian students. The police chief, Simon Overland said in a recent international students’ safety forum, that the Indians studying in Australia should maintain a ‘low profile’ in order to avoid racial attacks on them!
In the safety forum, which was attended by near about 150 people the police chief asked Indian students not to flaunt their gadgets, valuable accessories and jewelry. They were asked to look as poor as possible. He also urged foreign students to take other safety measures like not to travel at late night in crime prone areas. According to him, students should be careful and take necessary measures themselves as much as they can. Avoiding high-risk areas like Melbourne is one of the measures foreign students could take in order to help themselves!
Simon Overland’s advise however fumed the secretary of Federation of Indian Students of Australia, Gautam Gupta. The police chief’s advise for Indian students to avoid being assaulted aroused him to acclaim, ‘do the Indian students have no right to be rich?’ According to him, Indian students do not require to look poor to feel safe in Australia!
But, the forum’s organizer defends Simon Overland by saying that the latter did not hurt the Indian community intentionally, but he just tried to describe possible ways through which students can avoid undesirable incidents!
Whatever may be the statement or intention, it is true in any case that Indian students should be careful and save themselves from becoming victim of racial attacks!
It is justified for the Indians to run out of patience, express anguish and lose their temper….
Recently, another Indian taxi driver was assaulted in Melbourne. After a recent spate of the Aussie attacks and after desperately waiting for a strict action from the Australian’s side, Indian government has strictly asked the Aussie government to keep a stringent check on the ongoing activities going on in their country against Indians, as failing to do so may lead to an adverse affect on the aspect of Immigration.
Indian government, in a statement added that there are chances that applicants who choose Australia as a study destination or exchange tourism, may change their decision, provided Australia fails to come out with any effective security measure soon.
In a recent interview, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna stated that they have once again discussed this crucial matter with the Oz government, referring to his recent talks with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith.
“There should be an immediate stop to all such racial activities and attacks going on in Australia,” he further added.
In another news piece, Peter Cosgrove, Australia’s former military chief has confirmed that the attacks performed on Indians in Australia are racial in nature, contrary to what Aussie government termed them as “criminal attacks.”
These attacks are leaving us with several unanswered question: Is Australia a safe place to migrate to? Should we continue sending our children to such unsafe place? What is the ultimate solution to all this?
It is a facts that Australia is regarded as one of the best and commendable countries to migrate to! Be it for the purpose of studying, traveling, working, vacation or no matter what, but here are some fun facts about Australia that add more feathers in its cap as a prospective Immigration destination. Have a look at some of them:
The Platypus, which is a rare semi-aquatic mammal, is only found in Australia! People from all over the world visit Australia to see this beautiful species!
People who are health fanatics, they would be happy to know that Tasmania offers the cleanest ambiance and air in the world! So, people residing in Tasmania not only experience fresh air but also take advantage of plenty of health benefits offered by the place
Australia is geared with the largest herd of wild Camels on globe. So if you think that deserts in your own country don’t allow you to witness camels, visit Australia.
The continent serves host to some of the eccentric and gigantic structures, which say the story of the marvelous architecture of the place. Some of the cute examples are Big Banana in New South Wales, Big Apple in Queensland, the Big Koala in Victoria and the Big Stubby in The Northern Territory, to name a few.
For those who are café lovers, Perth is the place for you. It has more cafes per capita as compared to any other all over the globe. And wine lovers can find solace in South Australia as the place as more than 50% of Australia’s total wine production comes from SA.
Beach lovers, here is some hot news for all of you: Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay, NSW is famous for its white sand, which is whitest of the all!
And if you are a lover of parks and reserves, then you would be more than excited to know that there are more than 60 national parks and reserves in the Northern Territory. Some of the famous ones include: Litchfield National Park, Davenport Ranges National Park and Kakadu National Park.
Economist Intelligence Unit regarded Melbourne as the most liveable city on the globe.
The facts are endless. But the reality is one: Australia is one of the most favored countries to migrate!
