Team Blitz India
IN the wake of distressing incidents involving Indian students in the United States, former PepsiCo CEO, Indra Nooyi, has offered crucial advice to ensure their safety and security.
Nooyi emphasised the importance of vigilance, respect for local laws, and abstention from harmful activities such as drug use and excessive drinking. In a video message shared on X by the Consulate General of India in New York, Nooyi directly addressed Indian students contemplating or already pursuing studies in the US. She conveyed her concerns and recommendations to the student community.
Nooyi underscored the students’ responsibility to prioritise their safety, urging them to “stay within the law, do not venture out into dark places alone at night, [and] do not engage in drugs or excessive drinking please.” She emphasised the severe consequences of such actions, deeming them “formulae for disaster.” Furthermore, Nooyi urged students to carefully select their university and course, cautioning about the significant cultural adjustment associated with studying abroad.
She highlighted the challenge of being separated from the familiar comforts of family, community, and ecosystem, stressing the necessity of understanding the host country’s laws and regulations.
“It is important to know the consequences of your actions and hence you have to stay alert all the time,” Nooyi asserted, advising against unfamiliar or unsafe areas and advocating for group travel or accompanied outings, particularly at night.
Nooyi’s message coincides with a concerning trend of safety-related incidents involving Indian students in the US. Since the beginning of the year, a series of deaths among Indian and Indian-origin students has sparked alarm within the community.
Additionally, Nooyi cautioned students about potential scams, particularly those prevalent on social media, which could exploit their finances and resources. She emphasised the imperative of prioritising mental health and maintaining connections with friends, family, and support networks.
