Racists attacks in Australia

Racists in Australia continue their attacks on Indian students which clearly indicate that racism in Australia still persists. The Australian government condemned the incident but insisted that it was not racially motivated.

There has been a wave of attacks on Indian students ever since May last year. In this year on 2nd January 2010 an Indian student Nitin Garg was stabbed to death in Melbourne’s inner-west. After few days on 9 January 2010, a 29-year-old Jaspreet Singh was set ablaze. In yet another incident three Indian taxi drivers were attacked in different Australian cities January 16. And recently two Indian students attacked in Australia late Monday night by a group of people who 'made comments to the pair', police said. The 18-year-old Indian boy suffered a wound on his left ear. And the 22-year-old student was also punched to the ground and suffered minor abrasions to the forearm. Police confirmed the two victims were Indian students but could not say whether the comments made were racial.
Spokesman for the Federation of Indian Students of Australia, Mr. Gupta said “I hope this attack will be a reminder of the difficult times we are living in and that something needs to be done,” however it is difficult to say whether the Australian government is taking it seriously or not. According to the reports, the Victorian government is taking these cases not as acts of racial discrimination but as ordinary criminal activities which take place all over the world.

These series of attacks will surely harm the relations between the two countries. India’s foreign minister, S.M. Krishna said “Take necessary action and not force India to look to other ways,” adding that “We will not tolerate it any more.” Indian students have already responded to this issue. Latest Immigration Department data shows a 46 per cent drop in overseas student visa applications from India compared with the same period in 2008. This will definitely affect Australia's International education industry as education is Australia's second most valuable export after metals. Andrew Smith, the chief executive of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training, which represents private colleges, said "reputation damage, the strength of the Australian dollar, and a tightening of the student visa application process, had all contributed to the drop, which could threaten the viability of colleges and lead to job losses."

Australian Government must take necessary steps to kill the racially motivated attacks on Indians. And make sure that this issue will not cause a threat to economic and strategic ties between two countries. Wake up Aussies!

Happy 61st to us!

Republic Day: the day when the entire nation bonds together to celebrate the existence of being what it is; A sovereign nation. It was on this day that our constitution came into being and India truly became sovereign. Republic day celebrations are all over the place. Flag hoisting and Cultural programs in schools and colleges, those loud speakers playing bollywood and patriotic songs together, vendors selling those Rs.2 flag at signals and not to forget the live telecast of the parade from Delhi. This day marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India and the transition of India from a British Dominion to a republic on January 26, 1950.



Over these years India has come a long way in overcoming various obstacles and hurdles to rejoice in the moments of triumph, glory and the pride of being an independent nation. Republic Day reminds us of the fulfillment of the pledge that was made on the midnight of Independence as a “tryst with destiny”. But today as India grows a year younger at 60, we have enough to look back and be proud of and enough not to be so proud of.

India has made considerable economic progress since its Independence in several areas. Indian scientists have played a stellar role in the development of India. In the short span of its post-independence history India has achieved several great scientific achievements and the scientists have proved their mettle in the face of international sanctions and have made India one of the scientific powerhouses of the world.

The economy of India is the twelfth largest economy in the world by nominal value and the fourth largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). A revival of economic reforms and better economic policy in 2000s accelerated India's economic growth rate. By 2008, India had established itself as the world's second-fastest growing major economy India economy is going to touch new heights in coming years in terms of purchasing power as predicted by Goldman Sachs. World Bank has forecasted an 8% growth for India in 2010. Economists predict that by 2020, India will be among the leading economies of the world. As the fourth-largest economy in the world in PPP terms, India is a preferred destination for foreign direct investments(FDI).

The more one talks about the IT sector the less it is. The share of India's IT industry to the country's GDP increased from 4.8 % in 2005-06 to 7% in 2008. In 2009, seven Indian firms were listed among the top 15 technology outsourcing companies in the world. In March 2009, annual revenues from outsourcing operations in India amounted to US$60 billion and this is expected to increase to US$225 billion by 2020.

Let’s shift our focus to a topic that is a little controversial and sensitive, especially in India. The media, the fourth estate of the nation. Whatever one may say, it is an implicit fact that the media plays quite a constructive role in influencing the citizens in an optimistic manner. This can be very well illustrated by the experiences in the recent past, despite all the criticism that the media is a prey to. Be it the Jessica Lal case or the post 26/11 peace marches. The media makes sure that its absence is felt by making it’s presence memorable. And by media, I just do not mean the reporting media; The ‘Jaago Re’ campaign for example, was a huge success in the history of Indian awareness campaigns as far as advertising and PR go. I am very optimistic about the future economic prospect of India, but I believe economic progress is not what it takes to be a great nation. Here I would like to quote H.H Dr. Jayant Athavale who believes that “The real progress of a Nation is judged by the steps taken by that Nation towards God realization.” For some reason we seem to have moved away from our roots, and need to get back before it is too late.

Global economy recession had badly affected Indian economy and industrial growth in the last year. Reduction in prices of Iron, steel and copper indicates huge recession. No new jobs not only in IT but also in automobile industry. No new industries were started but now the situation is changed and again the development has started. Outsourcing has roared back to life in the last six months with some of it moving to countries like India, China.

Despite of everything, several formidable challenges remain: population, poverty, unemployment and price rise. Even as we celebrate the 60th year of the adoption of the Constitution, there are many sections of the Constitution, to which we or rather those in power still prefer to be blind to. India can achieve greater heights in terms of its existing human capital and skill by putting in considerable efforts in eliminating economical, social and cultural crashes and increasing the number of ‘socially responsible’ citizens. It’s time to build a society that is united in the true sense. “The selfish society does not deserve democracy. Democracy is meant for only those who think about society and Nation.” If only one can be the change can one expect a change. It’s time for reality check; time to be the change!

Signing off until the next time

-A proud citizen of Rising India.