New Delhi: In light of recent incidents involving Indian students in the United States, former CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi, has advised Indian students residing in or planning to travel to the United States to be vigilant and abide by local laws.
Nooyi shared a video message of over 10 minutes, urging Indian students planning to study or already studying in the US to prioritise their safety and avoid actions that could lead to trouble. The video was shared by the Consulate General of India in New York on Thursday.
Addressing the students directly, Nooyi, aged 68, acknowledged the unfortunate situations some Indian students have found themselves in and emphasised the importance of vigilance to ensure personal safety.
“The reason I’m recording this video is to talk to all of you, all you young people who are looking to come to the United States or are here already pursuing your studies, because I’ve been reading and listening to all the news about several examples of Indian students finding themselves in unfortunate situations,” Nooyi, said in the video.
Terming it as “formulae for disaster,” she stressed on avoiding outings at night, and refraining from drug use or excessive drinking, cautioning against the dire consequences such activities could entail.
Nooyi urged students to make informed choices regarding their university and course selections, recognising that pursuing higher education in the US can entail significant cultural adjustments and distancing from familiar support systems. She advised students to exercise caution in forming new friendships and adopting new habits, warning against succumbing to the allure of newfound freedoms.
“So when you come to the United States, be very watchful in the initial months of your landing here, in terms of who you select as friends, the new habits you develop and how you cope with cultural changes because it’s very easy to get caught up with all the freedoms you have and think that you should experiment with everything. Be very, very careful.” She noted that while Indian students are known for their hard work and success, there are also incidents of some youngsters experimenting with and eventually getting addicted to drugs such as Fentanyl.
Highlighting the dangers of drug experimentation, Nooyi underscored the “lethal” nature of such drugs and their potential to derail academic and career prospects.
“You need to know your visa status and its permissibility towards part-time employment. Do not violate the law,” she said, adding that the students must know the “boundaries of what you can do as a foreign student in the United States”.
Nooyi’s message comes amidst a series of distressing incidents involving Indian students in the US, including cases of missing individuals and tragic deaths.
Recent incidents include the Consulate’s efforts to locate 25-year-old Mohammad Abdul Arfath, who went missing in Cleveland. Additionally, 23-year-old Indian-American Sameer Kamath was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Purdue University. In January, 18-year-old Akul Dhawan died from hypothermia and acute alcohol intoxication at the University of Illinois, while 25-year-old Vivek Saini was fatally attacked by a homeless drug addict in Georgia.
She emphasised the exceptional educational opportunities offered by the US while cautioning against viewing studying abroad as a guaranteed pathway to employment, highlighting the importance of exploring opportunities in India as well.
Encouraging students to leverage available resources, including university support systems and local Indian communities, Nooyi urged them to stay vigilant against scams and prioritize their mental health and well-being. She emphasised the value of staying connected with support networks and seeking assistance when needed.
Agencies

Agencies