An Indian student, Abhijeeth Paruchuru, tragically passed away in Boston, United States, with initial investigations indicating no foul play, officials confirmed on Monday.
The Consulate General of India in New York expressed deep sorrow over Paruchuru’s demise and stated that his parents, based in Connecticut, are in direct contact with detectives.
The consulate has assisted in documentation and repatriation of his mortal remains to India, while remaining in touch with local authorities and the Indian-American community.
Paruchuru’s last rites were performed in his hometown, Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, with assistance from the US-based nonprofit organization TEAM Aid, facilitating the transportation of his remains to India.
His passing adds to a concerning trend, with several deaths of Indian and Indian American students reported in the US since the beginning of 2024, raising alarm 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. Similarly, Sameer Kamath, a 23-year-old Indian-American student at Purdue University, was found dead in Indiana’s nature preserve in February.
These incidents, along with others, including assaults and fatal attacks, have underscored the need for heightened awareness and safety measures among Indian students studying in the US.
In response to the escalating concerns, the Indian Embassy in Washington and its consulates virtually interacted with Indian students from various universities across the US and led by Charge d’Affaires, Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan, the session aimed to address student well-being and foster connections within the diaspora.
Approximately 150 Indian Student Association office bearers and students from 90 universities participated in the discussion, underscoring the importance of collective efforts to ensure the safety and security of Indian students studying abroad.