Indian students welcome, but …

Editorial Two

Our front page story in the last issue (March 15) titled, Indian students in Auckland invite trouble invited some flak but a majority of correspondents agreed with the core opinion – that some students from India were being ‘extra mischievous’ which may later lead to other problems. While we agree that an overwhelming majority of Indian students are serious about their studies, behave well both at the place of learning and in public places, we had to express concern over a small minority of troublemakers.

We concede that it is not just students from India who misbehave but we had to single them out because they are our concern.

Far from being sensational or presumptuous, our worry is that class room tensions and cafeteria brawls often tend to blow out of proportion and enter avoidable areas of conflict involving other ethnic groups.

Indian student numbers are about to cross the 10,000 mark for the first time in New Zealand’s history and we are aware of the efforts concerted by the Government, educational institutions and agents in marketing our universities, tertiary institutions and colleges. The Indian education market has immense potential but it is by no means easy to convince parents and students to regard New Zealand as their first option. We would like the number of students to increase year after year.

But in this process, propriety and good behaviour should not be ignored.

A senior member of the community, who participates in youth conferences and discussions, said he could not agree more with our comments.

“The younger generation is full of energy and enthusiasm, which is a welcome sign of growth and development. But this potential must be properly harnessed so that today’s boys and girls grow to become responsible citizens of this world. The behaviour of some students is cause for concern but we should counsel and guide them towards the right path,” he said.

That was our intention too.

We certainly do not want a repetition of the Australian experience.

The Overseas Indian Affairs has issued an advisory, urging students going to “some countries” including Australia to take certain precautions.

We do not want New Zealand to be included in this category, because we are known for our friendliness and hospitality. But given the fact that we host thousands of other students from other countries as well, there is a need to exercise caution.

That was the reason for us to say that the problem should be nipped in the bud.

New Zealand Police have also issued pamphlets advising international students of ‘Dos and Don’ts,’ not because there is a simmering problem but because they wish to avoid it and foster our safety and tolerant image.

The only issue in our report was the wrong attribute of some comments to a police official – those were our comments and should be read as such.

Student protests can lead to social and political standoff. The events in Australia threaten to damage the country’s education sector, which is the third largest export earner ($A 17 billion).

We certainly do not want such a situation here. As New Zealanders, we welcome students from India but our gentle advice is that they should seek orderliness and enjoy their scholastic pursuits and integrate with our society.*