International students constantly make headlines and in recent times, much has been spoken and reported about students from India currently in New Zealand. Indian Weekender has also done various

 

stories on the state of international students in New Zealand from time to time, whether it is their living conditions or the paucity of job opportunities or being exploited by rogue employers. Students seem to be facing a lot of struggles that perhaps they had not been prepared for. Most of these students, leave India—a large number of them from rural villages, leave their families and home country— with stars in their eyes, in search of their dreams. But alas, the reality is nowhere near what they expect.

Students seem to be facing a lot of struggles that perhaps they had not been prepared for. Most of these students, leave India—a large number of them from rural villages, leave their families and home country— with stars in their eyes, in search of their dreams. But alas, the reality is nowhere near what they expect.

Of recent times, to add to the heartbreak and pain has emerged the truth about some agents who to serve their own interests, not only lie to and mislead the students and their families but have also been submitting false documents to Immigration New Zealand. As a result of this, many students have been facing deportation. One can only imagine the plight of students who already feel under immense pressures from their families, who perhaps mortgage their homes and lands to meet the expenses of their children studying abroad, and are then served with a deportation notice. All such situations leave the students clueless in terms of whom to contact or ask for help.

While Immigration New Zealand and the government are trying to address the issue, in a welcome step, the Government of India has issued an advisory for all international students studying in any country across the world. As part of its efforts to extend its outreach to Indian students studying abroad, the Government of India has now added a specific student module to its Consular Grievances Monitoring System (MADAD). The home page link of the MADAD portal (https://portal1.madad.gov.in/AppConsular/welcomeLink) now provides basic guidance on how students can first register themselves on this module and then proceed to provide basic information. This information will help the concerned Indian Embassy/High Commission to engage effectively with the students and render them all possible assistance. The data entered in this module can be accessed and used exclusively only by Indian Missions and Ministry of External Affairs.

The High Commission of India in New Zealand is encouraging all Indian students in New Zealand to register themselves and provide basic information about themselves through this platform. This will then allow the High Commission to support these students when required. Speaking about this new initiative, the High Commissioner, Mr Sanjiv Kohli said, “The advisory is to convey new initiatives that we are taking to enable us to maintain an updated database and to facilitate direct interface with our students here so that in times of need, both sides can reach the other quickly. They can share their experiences and concerns with us. We want to ensure that we do everything possible to promote their well-being. This would also help us to take up their concerns with respective institutions and government agencies. This is going to be a continuing process and can develop further only through an interactive manner.”

It is hoped that this new initiative is supported by our student community and they work with the High Commission of India to ensure that the students are better supported and have better outcomes to the various issues that they are faced with.