India-Australia News and Discussion

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 29 May 2009 00:22

THE Rudd Government's hopes for a special relationship with Barack Obama have got off to a not-so-special start, with Australia missing out on getting an American ambassador, despite a global round of new nominations.

...
Despite not having had a US ambassador in Canberra since Mr Obama's inauguration on January 20, Australia did not figure in the 12 new US ambassadors nominated yesterday.
...
Long gaps between US ambassadors in Canberra is becoming an uncomfortable trend with Australia's closest ally. The post was left vacant for almost 18 months in 2005 and 2006 before former US president George W.Bush's friend Robert McCallum took up the post.

The post was only filled after Washington realised the issue threatened to overshadow a planned visit to Australia by then secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.
..

disha · Post by **disha** » 29 May 2009 08:50

RaviBg wrote:
Keshav wrote:The topic of discussion just goes to show how little importance Australia is to India.
What exactly are you trying to say here? That Indians shouldn't be concerned about the racist attacks against them??

If same number of Australians had been killed in similar period in India, or Americans, their governments would have issued a travel advisory asking their citizens to not visit India!

And here we have the famed australian police trying to sweep the attacks under the rug and claiming that it is not racist at all, when all evidence points to contrary!

RaviBg go easy on Keshav. From what I read, Keshav means the following. The importance of Australia can be summed up into:

1. You have uranium, can you give it to us SDRE [otherwise we will have to find some ways to kick you around]. And by the way you are racist.
2. You are racist, please stop hurting our kids.

As said earlier, Oz are the white pakis. They are trying to box beyond their weight. Other than the mineral wealth, they have nothing much to offer.

Gaurav_S · Post by **Gaurav_S** » 29 May 2009 11:40

India outraged by brutal student bashings from Sydney Morning Herald

The Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, said yesterday that Melbourne police were giving the attacks special attention. "I'm appalled by these attacks and I condemn them absolutely," he said. "Australia takes very seriously its reputation as a safe destination for Indian students."

SMH has got photo of Sharma on front page. Efforts from MEA looks effective.

andy B · Post by **andy B** » 29 May 2009 11:54

^^^ WOW

Didnt expect the MEA to be so direct in their statement it is impressive that they have provided a statement directly to the Oz govt. I would still not get my hopes high until we see some action where the idiots who did the bashing are taken to court/jail.

Heard from a friend yesterday that a guy from melbourne(cant remember the exact location) got bashed by 3 idiots who enetered into his appartment

and he was in a serious condition in the alfred hospital...anybody got news on that...??

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 29 May 2009 12:06

A petrol-bomb attack on an Indian student at Sydney

All these cannot be coincidental, can they ?

negi · Post by **negi** » 29 May 2009 12:10

I simply don't understand what is it which is troubling the aussie public ? such ghastly acts were unheard of even in Germany and UK .

Gaurav_S · Post by **Gaurav_S** » 29 May 2009 12:21

SSridhar wrote:A petrol-bomb attack on an Indian student at Sydney

All these cannot be coincidental, can they ?

Harris Park is hardly 1Km from where I live. Very infamous for attacks on Indians since last 4-5 years.

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 29 May 2009 12:22

such ghastly acts were unheard of even in Germany and UK

Unheard of in India too. This below from same link..

Singh said he had been robbed on the street three times in the past two months.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 29 May 2009 12:40

Attacks on Indian students should 'stop now': MEA

India on Friday said the spate of violent attacks targeting its students in Australia should "stop now" and asserted that authorities here should come up with a solution to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Indian High Commissioner Sujata Singh, who met premier of Victoria John Brumby and top police and educational officials of the province, said there is a "racist element in some of the attacks" but many of them were "opportunistic".

"The fact of the matter is that whatever the motive behind the attacks, they seem to be Indian students," she told a crowded press conference here.

Observing that the Indian students are seen as "soft targets," Singh said it has been made clear to the Australian government and police that they will have to come up with a solution to prevent such attacks.

"It is my earnest hope that these attacks stop now. And that is precisely what we are all trying to work towards," Singh, who was accompanied by Indian consul general to Melbourne Anita Nair, said.

Gaurav_S · Post by **Gaurav_S** » 29 May 2009 12:47

Baljinder who got stabbed in stomach atleast has 20 stiches in his abdomen. Just saw in Ten news. More then glad to see much required coverage from ToI. Times Now video clip is shown as part of every news bulletin here today. Kudos to MEA.

Such bold stance is very imperative for India and its people no matter where they live.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 29 May 2009 13:00

But what is the underlying problem, is it a racist society or Indians are doing well or they are being hit because they won't hit back. Solution ofcourse has to come from the Oz govt only.In the meantime till situation improves GoI should issue a general warning against visiting Aus unless necessary.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 29 May 2009 14:28

5 teenagers held for attacks

Five teenagers have been charged for two separate attacks on Indian students in this Australian city, as an official held the assaults were not racially motivated.

One teenager was charged with attempted murder over the attack with a screwdriver on 25-year-old Sravan Kumar Theerthala who is battling for his life, while four others were charged with brutally beating up Sourabh Sharma, 21, on a train.

"A 17-year-old male from Glenroy was charged with attempted murder after four Indian students were attacked with a screwdriver by gatecrashers at a party in Hadfield, in Melbourne's north, on Saturday night. One of the victims remains in intensive care in hospital," The Age reported on Friday.

An 18-year-old man from Heidelberg West was questioned in relation to the attack but has since been released.

The police have also charged four minors from Melbourne's west over the brutal bashing of Sharma who was going home on a Werribee line train after a shift at KFC, the report said.

The teenagers have been charged with offences including affray, intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury and robbery.

However, Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe said there was no indication that a rise in assaults and robberies against Indian students in Melbourne's west was due to "race hate".{In the case of Sharavan & Sourabh, there were racial abuses. They could also have been opportunistic. How can this Police officer say the attacks were not due to "race hate" ? Why is he saying this when racial abuse is so very obvious ? These cases must also be treated as 'racial attacks'}

He said there was a perception that Indian people were weak prey for criminals.

"I don't think they are (racist crimes) in general ... more opportunistic activity.

"We think they are vulnerable, we don't think it's racial, we think they are a weak target," Walshe told The Herald Sun.

Mr. Walshe said a taskforce was working with representatives of Melbourne's Indian community to catch those responsible for the attacks.

Three attacks on Indian students have taken place in quick succession, with the first incident being reported May 9 while the most recent took place Monday.

Mr. Theerthala, who was assaulted on Sunday in Melbourne along with three other students, is battling for his life in intensive care unit in The Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Mr. Theerthala, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, went to Melbourne to study two years ago.

The attackers allegedly hurled racist abuses at Indian students and hit them with a screwdriver.

Another Indian student Baljinder Singh was robbed and stabbed in Melbourne on Monday.

Mr. Singh had left a railway station when two men carrying weapons approached him and demanded money. As he searched through his bag to hand over his wallet he was stabbed in the abdomen, Herald Sun reported.

He said: "They just laughed when they stabbed me in the stomach. They laughed at me...I was screaming 'don't kill me, don't kill me'." He was released from hospital on Friday.

Australian police on Thursday arrested two teenagers over the beating of yet another Indian student on a Melbourne train.

Sourabh Sharma, was beaten by a group of young men as he travelled on a train May 9.

Mr. Sharma suffered a fractured cheek bone and a broken tooth in the attack, which was captured on closed circuit television cameras.

He said he was also racially abused and robbed during the attack.

Virupaksha · Post by **Virupaksha** » 29 May 2009 14:44

SSridhar wrote: However, Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe said there was no indication that a rise in assaults and robberies against Indian students in Melbourne's west was due to "race hate".{In the case of Sharavan & Sourabh, there were racial abuses. They could also have been opportunistic. How can this Police officer say the attacks were not due to "race hate" ? Why is he saying this when racial abuse is so very obvious ? These cases must also be treated as 'racial attacks'}

Dont we all know the answer?
H&D as it will lead to the answer that there are "sections"(to be PC) which are racist + the usual subsequent questions, how are you going to deal and "convert" with them etc etc.

GuruPrabhu · Post by **GuruPrabhu** » 29 May 2009 14:50

Yet another third rate power with society in general in decline, hanging on to last vesitges of "aussie pride" and Austraaliyan" way of life by bashing up harmless kids. The ICC should donate the proceeds of the 20 20 match b/w India and Racist land to the victims of these racist attacks

Gaurav_S · Post by **Gaurav_S** » 29 May 2009 14:58

These attacks are combination of opportunistic and racial. Opportunistic because most of the students work at Mac, KFC, restaurants and supermarkets and do shift work. Commuting in train or walking home down the street at 11pm (or even past 12) or so is quite common.

Though statement by vic police saying these attacks are not racial but opportunistic due to

"Indian students are soft target as they carry valuables like mobiles {?}, laptop & cash {?}" is fuuny

Having mobiles is neccessity and also having $20 or so in cash shouldn't be a big deal anywhere. Myself yet to discover any Indian student working part time (<20hrs) carrying zillions of dollars in buckets at late nights.

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 29 May 2009 15:18

Paki's and BDs shat crap so much around the world that some folks look at the 'South Asia' race with prejudice and contempt. 'South Asia Equalitis' has been drilled in these countries for decades. This is racial indeed. Compound that by whatever little they are taught about Hinduism and you've got a potion where a brain dead, drunk teen cares a damn about people from this region. Was in a spat in Oz in a rough neighbourhood more than a decade back with a Polish friend. Got a black eye but feel gave back more than i got. I did'nt think then, that was a racist attack, but these sure are targetted against South Asians..JMT though..

Dilbu · Post by **Dilbu** » 29 May 2009 15:26

Calling someone monkey is racist but beating up and trying to kill someone is not. Don't we have a hallal name for this kind of logic on BR?

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 29 May 2009 15:38

Indian High Commissioner Sujata Singh, who met premier of Victoria John Brumby and top police and educational officials of the province, said there is a "racist element in some of the attacks" but many of them were "opportunistic".

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Raci ... 592807.cms

Why is Singh parroting opinion of officials there. As long as Indians are attacked what is the diiff between opportunist and racial attack. Just a cover up.

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 29 May 2009 15:39

Calling someone monkey is racist but beating up and trying to kill someone is not.

True. However that episode, Symonds told Harbhajan F.O, and Bhajji replied 'teri maa ki..'. Everyone heard that. Ponting was right he heard Bhajji call Symonds a 'Monkey'. Sachin heard it too and knew what Bhajji said. Thats why in the hearing he categorically said Bhajji did'nt say "Monkey'..which actually he did'nt. They pursued the wrong case..Bhajji called Symonds something much worse than a monkey in reality. They were really barking up the wrong tree ..(pun intended).

GuruPrabhu · Post by **GuruPrabhu** » 29 May 2009 15:52

Good that some one brought up the Symonds affair, when they got some fire back, they sulked in a corner for a while before accepting what was on offer
The bottom line is people will degrade you untill you show them that you are capable of giving it back as good as you get it or perhaps even better
The Aussies are like influenza, if your immunity is weak, they will always be at your back, making your life difficlut, the moment your immunity is ramped up, aussies go back to houristan and behave albeit with a scorn on their racist face
The Indian students are perhaps not in a position to hit back but the government can, most of these so called world class Unis are making ends meet because of the exhorbitant overseas fees paid by the students of that category, Aussie students make use of the same facilities for a pittance because they are subsidised by the foreign students. If Indian make enough noises in the right direction, these attacks can be stopped
May be the Aussies can get enough people to fill up the overseas quota, but do they really want Pakis and Beedes at the expense of Indians?
Perhaps KKR can lead the way, fire Racist Bickel and useless Bhooka-naan for starters

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 29 May 2009 15:54

well said GuruPrabhu - UK is another player in the overseas edu lottery

now its the french playing games...

Indians complain of racial profiling at Paris airport

May 29, 2009 12:39 IST

A fortnight after over 50 Indian passengers alleged they were victims of racial profiling while flying Air France [Images], 10 Indians, travelling by the same airline, met a similar fate when they were stranded for an entire night in a Paris airport lounge.

The Indians, flying to Mumbai [Images] from Washington via Paris, complained that they were confined to the lounge on Monday with just some water and a sandwich after their plane reached Paris late from Washington and they could not board the connecting flight to Mumbai.

The passengers of the flight AF025 alleged that while they had to remain at the airport, people with American passports were given transit visas, provided accommodation and taken care of.

Complaining of discrimination and insensitivity towards them, a passenger Gwyneth Alphonso said, "We were not put on the immediate connecting flight on the same day. We were told that we have to just adjust within the environment. (Those) who held American passports were given visas and accommodation and were taken care of. But we who had Indian passports were the only ones to be denied any kind of help at that place."

The passengers said the airline extended an apology to the passengers through an SMS.

Over 50 Indian passengers had on May 12 accused Air France of 'racial' profiling at Paris airport where they were stuck while in transit after their aircraft developed a technical problem, a charge denied by the airline.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 29 May 2009 15:56

if a group of indian students/workers can get together and pulp some 3-4 of these assaulters on day with hockey sticks, word will spread fast in the jungle telegraph and they will back off into the darkness.

I believe a similar case happened in canada where a aged caretaker and granthi of a gurudwara were being terrorist by some local yobs. a bunch of sikh youths got together, camped there on night and applied the stick to the villains.

vsudhir · Post by **vsudhir** » 29 May 2009 16:05

Petrol bomb hurled at Indian student in Australia

A student suffers 30 per cent burns after a petrol bomb was hurled at him.

Duangkomon · Post by **Duangkomon** » 29 May 2009 16:12

It is usually ferrel teenagers who do the racial abusing. From the cctv footage in the train it is clear that they were just kids who set upon Sharma. There is no excuse for letting kids beat you up because this will just encourage them to target Indians since they expect no retaliation. In such a situation just grab the leader, lock his arm, use all your force and make sure you break it. JMT

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 29 May 2009 16:20

India summons Australian envoy

. . the External Affairs Ministry on Friday summoned Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy here to convey its concerns and ask his government to prevent attacks on them.

Mr. McCarthy was called by Secretary (East) in the MEA N Ravi to convey India's concerns, responding to which the Australian envoy said his government is taking steps to stop such incidents.

Mr Ravi conveyed Indian concerns very clearly and urged that we take steps to ensure that these sorts of incidents do not occur," Mr. McCarthy said after his meeting at MEA.

Gaurav_S · Post by **Gaurav_S** » 29 May 2009 16:28

Let me bring a quite similar issue whilst discussing. A couple of years ago Central Queensland University in Sydney started to fail Indians doing MPA (prof accounting) by deliberately giving them less grades. This went on for perhaps couple of semesters. Finally mainly Indians and other communities gathered to make noise and peaceful demonstration on streets in front of uni. This uni largely attracts Indians mainly gujju, punjabi and keralians. CQU had just one campus, once flow from India increased around year 2005 they were able to make second campus. Perhaps to pay installments & loans they started failing them. This only stopped after making some shor here and in Indian media.

So Indians have already paid loads of currency, growth and english speaking workers which they lacked before reccession. Unfortunately Indians still got whacked. Hopefully such universities come under scanner of Julia Gillard who promised to look into shop front universities.

mmasand · Post by **mmasand** » 29 May 2009 17:02

quite true gaurav...not long ago in 2007 again a similar incident occurred at the CQU Melbourne campus on Lonsdale St. Around 45 students (all but 2 were indians),created a ruckus about them failing a taxation course,initially the head of the campus refused to speak to student reps,it wasnt until we made a few calls to Fiona Buffington who was the head of AEI then who promised to pull a few strings,now these students had their visas expiring in 48 hours.A cheap tactic employed by the uni was to release the results 2 days before their visas would expire thus forcing them to re-enroll in the subject the 2nd time.Nevertheless DIAC said they provide the students with a bridging protection visa to let them stay and sort the dispute.The campus head nor the uni management would compromise,at last around 32 hours later we had a breakthrough after a renowned lawyer threatened to press charges against the CQU,the director of the OTTE(office of tertiary education and training ) Terry Strokes kept passing the buck on to the Fed govt saying regulation was their responsibility.But the Education minister Julie Bishop said it was a state muckup since CQU had a separate CRICOS code for Victoria,Terry resigned!CQU was forced to finally review the results of these students.I must tell you these stduents were very sweet,inspite of being on a hunger strike they fed me and another representative.

On the anvil, sources have told me that the vic govt has finally agreed to the recommendations of the Overseas student taskforce drafted in Jan 09 and will reveal them by the next couple of weeks which include stronger regulations for overseas agents.Mind you we are still battling sytematic discrimination in VIC and NSW in getting travel concessions.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 29 May 2009 18:25

This is going to be a difficult one to handle for Oz.It is virtually impossible to prevent sadistic youth,probably high on drugs and drink from having their "fun",going for whichever racial group they see as easy targets.I have a friend in Oz who was for months in a coma due to a car crash caused by a carjacker high on drugs.The OZ authorities should identify which cities are the most dangerous for foreign students,where there is a rash of such attacks and then alert the universities to increase campus security,plus increased patrolling of areas where such crimes have been taking place.Members will remember some years ago in the US the "dotbuster" attacks,targetting Indian women who wore bindis.It appears that attacking Indian students is the flavour of the year in Oz right now.

The OZ govt. should make a symbolic effort apart from some hard crime prevention in the affected areas to send a strong message to these racial elements responsible for these outrages that a zero-tolerancxe policy is being adopted.While we must express our deepest concern at the highest level ,we musn't adopt a "holier than thou attitude",as we have our own share of beasts who prey upon tourists at popular destinations like Goa.The GOI/MEA must also assist the affected students urgently through the local HC/Dy.HCs.

Ultimately,if the Oz authorities do not clamp down on this racial hatred,it will be the loser as Indian and other S.Asian students will think long and hard before studying in Oz.Indians play a vital part too in the OZ economy,are preferred over many other nationalities,as finding skilled and dedicated workers in Oz is difficult.The Oz navy for instance has enough sailors to man only one of its six Collins class subs,that too despite extra moolah for submariners!

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 29 May 2009 20:47

India Today:

Aussie dream sours for Indian students
Headlines Today
New Delhi, May 29, 2009

Australia's greatest export after tourism is its university system, the one which is being sold to Indian students as the Great Australian Dream.

But the dream has fast turned into a nightmare for four Indian students. While Baljinder Singh, who was attacked on May 25, was discharged from hospital, Sravan Kumar, who was attacked the week before, has not been so lucky. He is still battling for his life with the chances of survival dimming with every passing hour.

Though Australian police and the Australian media have long denied it, Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy hit the nail on the head when he said, "Some racism exists in Australia."

The police and the media maintain the Indian students were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time.

While admitting some racism, McCarthy also said, "It is a criminal act and authorities are investigating the matter."

Education accounts for Australia's third largest revenue generator. There are more than one lakh Indians studying in Australia at present. They form the second-largest international student community after the Chinese. But the recent attacks have made them rethink about living and studying in Australia.

Following the recent attacks, Indian students are now living in mortal fear. They have stopped visiting areas in the suburbs where they could face racist jibes. Late night outings have declined and they no longer carry gadgets like iPods or laptops.

negi · Post by **negi** » 29 May 2009 20:53

Indian students form the second-largest international student community after the Chinese

Gaurav,Andy et al... any idea about the similar 'coincidental'

attacks on the Chinese students ?

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 29 May 2009 20:57

The sudden spate of attacks is not likely to be solely economically motivated...Could be someone is angling for long-term advantage and does not want India and Indians to get too comfortable with Australia... This could be just a version of nipping a long-term threat in the bud... It makes no sense that only Indian students are targeted. What makes them think that only Indians are vulnerable, not Chinese or Pakistanis or Bangladeshis... or Thais, or Indonesians, or whatever...

vsudhir · Post by **vsudhir** » 29 May 2009 21:00

At least he's not sleeping soundly over it. He's got the right words, hope he also delivers on the performance front.

PM outraged by racial attacks in Australia

Manmohan flays the attacks as the Aussie PM calls up to congratulate him.

krithivas · Post by **krithivas** » 29 May 2009 21:15

This attack on Indian students mirrors the spate of murder of Indian students in the USA last two years.

GoI made some phone calls. The attacks in the US have stopped for now - In otherwords it was not just random. Taps were closed, and the attacks stopped.

Australia is under Indian scanner now.

Thanks,
R. Krithivas

JE Menon wrote:The sudden spate of attacks is not likely to be solely economically motivated...Could be someone is angling for long-term advantage and does not want India and Indians to get too comfortable with Australia... This could be just a version of nipping a long-term threat in the bud... It makes no sense that only Indian students are targeted. What makes them think that only Indians are vulnerable, not Chinese or Pakistanis or Bangladeshis... or Thais, or Indonesians, or whatever...

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 29 May 2009 21:18

Once in (leeds) UK I had a narrow escape, it was dark winter and I was walking to the railway station from Leeds University area, when two british youth suddenly appeared and asked for money (100 pounds) claiming they were cops and I was littering around, also that you Pakis are unhygienic and dirty people. when I refused one of them held me by arm and asked me to come towards an even darker area which was some distance away, I ran towards station and by God's grace could reach close to station, there is normally a cop in that area and I shouted for help. Even inside station I was quite terrified and hoped no one is following me.

ashish raval · Post by **ashish raval** » 29 May 2009 21:29

What makes them think that only Indians are vulnerable, not Chinese or Pakistanis or Bangladeshis... or Thais, or Indonesians, or whatever...

Man !! I know about Chinese embassies they are highly professional and act very swiftly in the matter of attacks on Chinese citizens abroad. I am telling you about one instance when this happened, a few years back my friend and colleage was biking in park in british summer and bunch of drunken thugs intercepted his bike, he told to let him go, but they started making row and hitting him wielding the knife, in reply the Chinese guy thought of hitting back and stabbed the massive 6.5 feet guy with his own knife in presence of his friends and then calmly left on his bike. The thugs went to police station which lodged the complain, however, the Chinese made a massive row over the incident in the university campus and made huge hue and cry in chinese media by cataloguing each and every event happened against chinese student in last 10 years in which police simply did not did anything. This prompted the british police to put the case in back burner and never produce the chargesheet against him. I saw Chinese ambassador visiting our office once...hehehe...I thought man when will Indian Embassy learn to extert this sort of pressure.
With this incident, I think they are taking steps towards it.

ashish raval · Post by **ashish raval** » 29 May 2009 21:33

IndraD wrote:Once in (leeds) UK I had a narrow escape, it was dark winter and I was walking to the railway station from Leeds University area, when two british youth suddenly appeared and asked for money (100 pounds) claiming they were cops and I was littering around, also that you Pakis are unhygienic and dirty people. when I refused one of them held me by arm and asked me to come towards an even darker area which was some distance away, I ran towards station and by God's grace could reach close to station, there is normally a cop in that area and I shouted for help. Even inside station I was quite terrified and hoped no one is following me.

Aha...I lived in leeds for 5 years...I was fortunate but this things happens...Btw, I graduated from Uni. of Leeds..do you have any Leeds Uni. connection !!

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 29 May 2009 21:37

It appears that not many newspapers in Australia are concerned about the attacks. Looks like these newspapers are trying to brush things under the carpet. They made a huge noise when bhaji called symonds "maa-ki" and some even going to the extreme of calling Indians racist and bring caste angle to it too. Now that their true colors are exposed, they are trying to hide it. They don't have the balls to call things as they are . Even these newspapers are racist!

Looks like the Indian newspapers and TV channels are doing the right thing. I hope they keep it up 24/7 and hurt these racist ********!

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 29 May 2009 21:40

The Chinese incident you relate is interesting. Coz when i was in the brawl i mentioned around 97. I did break a nose or two (despite a minor black eye). Typical pub thing that spawned over in the curb outside. After things calmed down i did mention to cops about contacting the Indian embassy in Canberra and what a crap country Oz is..something of that sort..and the cops like took it serious. I was actually pretty impressed with them (they did lock in a few white guys). And me, a Polish friend and another Jat guy, we actually had fun. Outnumbered but not outgunned. Younger days though.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 29 May 2009 21:41

Aha...I lived in leeds for 5 years...I was fortunate but this things happens...Btw, I graduated from Uni. of Leeds..do you have any Leeds Uni. connection !!

Yes Ashish I have worked in LGI and in hospitals around Leeds..

BijuShet · Post by **BijuShet** » 29 May 2009 21:48

In my opinion it is important to use this opportunity to paint Australains as racist people and Australia as a lawless country to Indians in India. This will in the long term hurt Australian tourism as many Indians do travel to Australia as tourists and also hurt them via reduced number of students opting for Australia as a higher college destination. Let us use this opportunity to target the message to Indians. Once that black mark is stuck, it will take decades for them to remove this label. As an added bonus, It will also make life difficult for any australian cricketer who earns a living via selling commodities to Indians by appearing in comercials. Hurt them economically and they will learn.