By Suresh Kumar
Hyderabad, India — The tragic demise of yet another Indian student in the United States has sent shockwaves through the community. Uma Satya Sai Gadde, a Telugu student pursuing higher studies in Cleveland, Ohio, was found dead under mysterious circumstances. The incident has raised widespread apprehensions among Indian students studying abroad.
The Case Unfolds
Gadde’s death came to light recently, prompting the Indian consulate in New York to initiate an investigation. While officials have remained tight-lipped about further details, they confirmed that a police inquiry is underway. The consulate is actively coordinating with Gadde’s family and striving to repatriate her remains to India.
A Disturbing Trend
Unfortunately, Gadde’s case is not an isolated incident. Since the beginning of 2024, there have been at least six deaths of Indian and Indian-origin students in the United States. The Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (GHHF) has taken notice and is calling for an independent FBI probe into these fatalities. An online petition launched by GHHF seeks to address the safety concerns faced by Indian students studying abroad.
The common causes of these student deaths 2024
The Toll Mounts
The GHHF has compiled a list of Indian students who lost their lives in the US. Among them are names like Amarnath Ghosh, Sameer Kamath, Shreyas Reddy, Neel Acharya, Atul Dhawan, Vivek Saini, G Dinesh, Nikesh, Aaditya Adlakha, Varun Raj Pucha, Saiesh Veera, Varun Manish Chheda, and Abhijit Paruchuri. Each of these lives cut short, leaving grieving families and communities behind.
Urgent Action Needed
With over 175 responses expressing concern over these alarming deaths, the consulate general in New York acknowledges the gravity of the situation. Respondents like K Guru emphasize the urgency of safeguarding Indian students abroad. The GHHF’s online petition has garnered 5,895 signatures, highlighting the pressing need for immediate action.
A Call for Safety
As the Indian community grapples with grief, the safety of students studying abroad remains a top priority. The loss of young lives demands thorough investigations, transparency, and preventive measures. The Indian consulate, community organizations, and international authorities must collaborate to ensure the well-being of Indian students pursuing education overseas.
Ch Sushil Rao is Editor-Special Reports at The Times of India, Hyderabad. With a background in journalism and film studies, he brings a critical eye to pressing issues.
Summary
The tragic death of Uma Satya Sai Gadde, an Indian student in Cleveland, Ohio, has sparked concern among Indian students studying abroad. The Indian consulate is investigating the incident while highlighting a disturbing trend of similar deaths in the US. The Global Hindu Heritage Foundation is advocating for an independent FBI probe and has launched a petition to address safety concerns. With mounting fatalities, urgent action is needed to ensure the well-being of Indian students overseas, prompting calls for thorough investigations and preventive measures.