Why are Indian Students Dying in the US?

Words by Divya Goyal

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Characterized by his oversized moustache and turban, the Maharaja was Air India's beloved mascot. In their earlier days, Air India established an in-house art studio and commissioned artists from around the world to depict beautiful posters of the Maharaja in all his mischievous antics and  him adopting different personas in each destination, such as a monk in Rome, a lover boy in Paris, and even a sumo wrestler in Tokyo. The posters put Air India the map as an example of genius marketing in the mid-20th century, earning the company a myriad of advertising awards and a loyal legion of fans. While the Maharaja remains Air India’s mascot to this day, he is most fondly remembered throughout the world for his role in India’s golden age of advertising. (Available as print)

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Why are Indian Students Dying in the US?

A series of devastating deaths of Indian and Indo-American students in America has jolted the Indian diaspora, as the unfortunate news continues to highlight the vulnerability and challenges faced by students pursuing education abroad. In 2024 alone, 11 young students of Indian and Indian-American descent, all under the age of 25, have tragically passed away.

An analysis of these incidents by the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) reveals that the causes of these death range from “suspicious shootings/kidnapping, environmental deaths due to lack of safety knowledge (monoxide poisoning and hypothermia), mental issues triggering suicides, and even suspicious accidents to violent crimes.” Boston-based Dr. Lakshmi Thalanki collected data on the deaths of more than 10 of the students and she noted, “The sudden surge of deaths among Indian students is alarming and suspicious.”

The South Asian community is still reeling with the tragic losses. Khanderao Kand, Chief of Policies and Strategy of the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies, adds that the recent spike in the deaths is “concerning”.  He says, “If not addressed, it would impact their confidence in the safety of US universities, potentially impacting the inflow of students further.”