The safety of Indian medical students pursuing education abroad is once more imperilled, echoing past international crises. Presently, approximately 250 students from Srikakulam district find themselves trapped in Kyrgyzstan amid escalating violence directed at international students. The capital city, Bishkek, has witnessed riots over the past week, with international students, particularly Indians, being targeted in the attacks. Reports of violence against Indian students have sparked widespread concern among their families back home.
Faced with mounting fear and uncertainty, these families are desperately pleading with the Indian government to intervene and ensure the safe return of their children. While the students have assured their families of their current safety, the rising number of attacks has left everyone on edge. This situation highlights the recurring issue faced by Indian medical students pursuing education abroad – their safety constantly hangs in the balance due to international conflicts and internal unrest in their host countries.
The ordeal is similar to the crisis faced by Indian students in Ukraine in February 2022 when the country’s conflict with Russia left thousands stranded. Thankfully, swift intervention by Member of Parliament Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and the central government ensured their safe repatriation, bringing much-needed relief to their families.
Mahanti Ananya, a medical student from Ranasthalam, recounted a previous incident where rioters targeted foreign students, confining them to their hostels for days under a climate of fear. The attacks, specifically targeting Indian students, resulted in injuries and widespread anxiety. Relief came only after the Indian government intervened and facilitated their return home. The current crisis underscores a recurring issue – the vulnerability of Indian medical students seeking education abroad. Parents of affected students are urging the government to address the root cause: limited access to medical education within India.
Sridevi Mahanti, a concerned parent, emphasises the critical need for an expansion of government medical colleges, ideally with one established in every district. Additionally, she advocates for a significant increase in the number of available seats. This, she believes, would provide more Indian students with the opportunity to pursue their medical aspirations within the country. Venku Naidu, another parent, highlights the existing disparity between the number of doctors and the population in India. He urges the government to prioritize the medical sector by allocating increased resources and establishing more government medical colleges across the nation.
As concerns for student safety mount, calls for collaboration between central and state governments are growing louder. Only through combined efforts can meaningful solutions be found to ensure the safety and aspirations of Indian students pursuing medical education abroad are not jeopardised.