Indians in Oz more cautious about safety following attacks

MELBOURNE: Avoiding late-night travel and sitting close to tram drivers here are among some steps being followed by Indian students, who have become "more vigilant" than before in the wake of a spate of attacks against the youths from the community in Australia.

"These days we leave our accommodation early and return early. In trams, sitting near the driver is also an ideal option. We have become more vigilant than before," Rajesh Ramnathan, a Ph.D student at RMIT University here, said.

He said he informs his house mates before leaving for work or university so that they can enquire about him if he does not come back in time.

"My friends do the same thing. When they go out, they tell me and I know where they have gone. I speak to them in between to find out if all is well," he said.

Divya Sharma, a student of the same university, said that she does 'yoga' to remain calm and it also helps her to be disciplined while travelling by the public transport system. "Yoga helps me to remain calm and cool. More importantly, you have to be disciplined while travelling in the trams."

Sharma, who also teaches yoga at the university, said the Indian students are now focussing more on cultural activities to reach out to their Australian counterparts. They are set to hold a function 'Sab Kuch Thik Thak Hay' around Diwali when they plan to organise activities like a fashion show and Bollywood dance programme.