Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The Way Forward
We the SFC(Student-Faculty Cell ) and the Peer Group of Indira Gandhi National Open University condemn the violent path taken by some Indians to counter racial abuse in Australia. We refer to the stabbing incident highlighted by the media today. While we support all the peaceful means to establish racial harmony, we totally deplore the way today's incidence was caught up in the cycle of violence we have been witnessing in Australia.By being caught up in these revenge attacks the very purpose of students being in Australia will be defeated. That purpose we have stressed is to continue to study in Australia by creating a racially harmonious atmosphere or by contributing to the goals of multiculturalism of that country and its people.This also builds up the confidence of people back home in India.The racist groups all over the world operate by spreading fear , terror ,vengeance and violence. To fall in to that trap by indulging in violence is to defeat the very purpose we are trying to achieve-that is to build a conducive study atmosphere.The students of IGNOU should take particular note of this lesson we are drawing from the Australian incidents.(The members of the SFC and the Peer Group,IGNOU, with the help of Ajay Mahurkar and Dr.Dolly Mathew)
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Enjoying the Academic Experience in an International University
ReplyDeleteSharing, caring, interacting and mixing can help in nurturing an integrative culture in our families, places of work or study or neighbourhoods. Taking from the view points expressed by the Indian students studying in Australia and some of the Australian academia, integration and assimilation seems to be the answer and panacea to the current student violence in Australia and also similar incidents occurring in other parts of the world. Students should just not narrow themselves to use education to get work permits and migration, as seen by Indian students, but the vision should be larger and vibrant enough to enable to make the most of the international space and academic experience by engaging in the entire area of university-student life. This takes place when one move out of the ghettos and regional groups and take courses with students belonging to different cultures, instead taking courses preferred by own country students. There is where interactivity and connectivity can happen and be built. This is where enrichment and inclusiveness can be ensured. Such a blending and participation in a holistic manner in university life by breaking and going beyond the regional and narrow boundaries is needed and required.
Dear Student Faculty Cell and IGNOU,
ReplyDeleteWe from the SFC and Peer Group of IGNOU had sent a letter to the Greens Party Senator in Australia Ms. Sarah H Young, expressing our support for the multicultural perspective with which she has been taking up the cause of Indian students in Australia. Indeed the Greens have moved to look into the treatment of the international students as a whole. The current visit of the Indian Foreign Minister to Australia has been significant in strengthening the ties of multiculturalism between India and Australia. In this context, we welcome the assurances of safety and well being of the Indian students in Australia given by the Australian Government.
We reproduce below our letter sent to Ms Sarah H Young on 16th June 2009 and her reply, for your information and comment.
email of Senator Greens Party, Australia- Sarah H Young
Hanson-Young, Sarah (Senator) Senator.Hanson-Young@aph.gov.au
to dolly mathew dolly.mathew9@gmail.com
date Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 12:46 PM
subject RE: Racist Attacks on Indian Students in Australia
mailed-by aph.gov.au
Dear Student Faculty Cell and IGNOU,
Thank you for your correspondence from the 16th of June in relation to the Greens support for a full, transparent inquiry into to the treatment of international students in Australia. It’s fantastic to hear support from Indian students, and we really appreciate your sentiments.
We in the Greens believe in multiculturalism, equality and inclusiveness and have been at the forefront of parliamentary scrutiny on this issue. Please visit Senator Sarah Hanson-Young’s website at www.sarahinthesenate.com to find out more.
We will continue to advocate for justice for international students in Australia.
Regards,
Jake Wishart
Electoral Officer
OFFICE OF SENATOR SARAH HANSON-YOUNG
Australian Greens Senator for South Australia - sarahinthesenate.com
Ground Floor, Telstra Building, 30 Pirie Street, ADELAIDE SA 5000
M: 0409 696 721 | T: 08 8231 9911 | F: 08 8211 7533 | E: jake.wishart@aph.gov.au
email of SFC and Peer Group
From: dolly mathew mailto:dolly.mathew9@gmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, 16 June 2009 10:31 PM
To: Hanson-Young, Sarah (Senator)
Cc: ajaymahurkar@hotmail.com
Subject: Racist Attacks on Indian Students in Australia
- Hide quoted text -
Dear Ms. Sarah Hanson-Young, MP
We the members of the Student-Faculty Cell and Peer Group of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, India welcome the move for a Senate Inquiry into the treatment of the international students in Australia, which you will be piloting in the Australian Senate. This move by yourself and the Greens Party today, we hope will strengthen the inclusive processes in Australian society for which you stand. We also note that the different student bodies including the Federation of Indian Students of Australia have supported your move. We in IGNOU have been keenly following the events in Australia and have supported a multicultural approach to solving the current crisis. The Greens involvement on this issue, we hope will also prove to be an educational experience for integration and safety of the Indian and other students in Australia and help their study process.
Best wishes
Members of Student-Faculty Cell
Peer Group, IGNOU, New Delhi, India
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