Rise in deaths of Indian students in the US sparks concern
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New York: The Consulate General of India in New York expressed deep sorrow over the demise of 20-year-old Indian student Abhijeeth Paruchuru in Boston, marking the ninth such incident in 2024.
"Deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate demise of Abhijeeth Paruchuru, an Indian student in Boston," the Consulate General of India in New York said in a post on X.
Initial investigations into Paruchuru's death have found no signs of foul play, with his parents, based in Connecticut, directly cooperating with detectives.
The consulate provided assistance in the documentation and transportation of Paruchuru's remains to India while maintaining communication with local authorities and the Indian-American community.
20-year-old Paruchuru's last rites were conducted in his hometown Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, with support from the US-based nonprofit organization TEAM Aid, facilitating the repatriation of his body to India.
The recent spate of incidents involving the deaths of Indian students in the US has raised concerns within the community.
In March, Amarnath Ghosh, a 34-year-old Indian classical dancer and student at Washington University, was fatally shot in St Louis, Missouri, while pursuing his passion for dance.
Similarly, Sameer Kamath, a 23-year-old Indian-American student at Purdue University, was discovered deceased in a nature preserve in Indiana in February.
Vivek Taneja, a 41-year-old Indian-origin IT executive, succumbed to life-threatening injuries after an assault outside a restaurant in Washington in early February, marking the seventh death in recent months.
Prior to that, Syed Mazahir Ali, an Indian student, was attacked by robbers in Chicago, adding to the string of tragedies.
The Indian Embassy in Washington and its consulates organized a virtual interaction with Indian students across the US to address student well-being and community connectivity, attended by about 150 Indian Student Association office bearers and students from 90 universities.
The interaction, led by Charge d'Affaires and Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan, along with Consul Generals from various cities, aimed to discuss measures to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian students amidst the recent incidents.