Is India’s Academic System Driving Students Abroad into Dangerous Situations?
Dr Neelam Batra-Verma
Harpreet came to Canada from Punjab, India to pursue education. Her parents had to sell off their farm land to fund her education, air tickets, food, lodging and other expenses while they themselves struggled to keep afloat with the bare minimum with the hope that one day, their daughter will be able to get a good job and send them money. Unfortunately, they don’t know the plight of their daughter in Canada, who got sucked into a life of poverty, sexual abuse and exploitation. She won’t tell her parents out of shame and embarrassment.
This story is not an isolated traumatic tale of Harpreet, a fictitious name, in Canada but a very common one. While no statistics are available, but many female international students from India are being exploited by their own South Asian community where residents, in the garb of helping the students, try to exploit them sexually and emotionally leading to depression and suicides. The issue is a topic of discussion on various community radios and dinner time debates, yet no solution is forthcoming nor has this issue become a cause of concern for the local media and leaders to be taken seriously.
Inder Nirwan of Kahani Pictures sought to highlight the issue by documenting the stories of several young girls in a short film. Inder, a local filmmaker known for creating issue-based documentaries, aims to shed light on various societal evils. His documentary “Trophy” was widely acclaimed and led to the banning of hunting grizzly bears for sport in British Columbia. He sat down for an exclusive interview with ANM, before the theatrical opening of the film.
What motivated Inder to make a documentary about an issue the community prefers to ignore? He explains, “We were approached by Balraj Singh Kahlon, founder of OnevoiceCanada, a local activist focused on domestic violence and student-related issues. He had tried to bring attention to the matter through traditional media without success. So, he reached out to us to make this film. They shared information about what is happening in the community, and we decided to take on the project.”
How open were the students about their situation? “Not very open,” says Inder Nirwan. “For us, their stories were important, and we wanted to maintain their privacy. It was a high priority to listen to survivors and share their authentic experiences and the impact of those experiences. In some cases, critics might downplay what the girls are dealing with, but the psychological impact on the victim is significant. In the film, we have three survivor accounts, all given anonymously. One person even shared on behalf of a friend going through abuse. One victim even tried to go to the police but in vain.”
What methods do predators use to entrap the students? According to Nirwan, it’s a vicious cycle. Students coming to Canada are not only vulnerable but also very impressionable. “It’s a complex situation,” says Inder. “Students come to Canada at the urging of their families, who often take out mortgages and sell their land to send their children here. There is immense pressure on these young and lonely individuals who don’t understand the culture or the language. School is just one aspect of their life. They also have to get a job, pay for food, and learn the language and the culture, all without support. They are all alone. The only semblance of responsibility they feel is towards their family. But when they can’t pay rent or are stressed out at work or school, they can’t turn to their families out of shame. There is an unrelenting fear that if they make a mistake, they will be sent back. Predators exploit this fear, threatening to have their Permanent Resident Status revoked and to have them deported if they don’t comply with their demands.”
The film “Sunoh” highlights the plight of several girls, not as isolated cases, but as representative of many others who hide their situation from their families. These families have invested substantial money and hope in their children’s future. “Of course, they don’t want to disappoint their parents and continue to be exploited with the hope that one day their situation will improve. Some succumb to pressure and commit suicide,” the film reveals.
According to 2023 statistics from Gurdwara Dukh Nivarin Sahib in Surrey, BC, at least 47 international students from India have died from drug overdoses and suicides in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia over the past two years. The Gurdwara claims to have spent $200,000 or more on sending the bodies back to India. Narinder Singh Walia, the Gurdwara’s religious leader, reports having personally handled at least 39 cases and assisted with another “eight to 10 bodies” reported to the Gurdwaras by friends and family of the deceased who needed non-financial assistance with funeral proceedings, according to a report published in New Canadian Media.
It is well known that international fees are the main source of revenue for Canadian universities and colleges. Some students have been granted student visas based on admission letters from non-existent institutions. Finally, the federal government has paid attention to this issue, and earlier this year, the BC and Ontario governments decided to crack down on private post-secondary institutions accused of exploiting international students. The government has also decided to cap the number of student permits issued for the next two years. Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated, “The government will reduce the number of student visas by 35 percent for 2024,” aiming to target private institutions he described as “the diploma equivalent of puppy mills.”
Before moving to Canada, every student needs to thoroughly research his or her journey. The last few years, especially post-pandemic, have seen significant changes in Canada, as in many other countries. Not only have tuition fees increased, but housing and grocery costs have also risen astronomically, while job opportunities have decreased. This situation affects both international and local students. A few years ago, even 14-15 year old students could easily find jobs to cover their pocket money expenses, but not anymore. The romance of Canada needs to be approached with caution. Canadians themselves are struggling with high prices, homelessness, lack of healthcare, drug addiction, and unemployment. Currently, Canadians depending on food banks for sustenance has risen substantially.
A staggering 37% of international students in Canada hail from India, with a significant portion from Punjab. This exodus raises an important question: why are so many young Indians seeking education abroad?
The reasons are multifaceted. Primarily, Punjab suffers from a lack of opportunities in both education and employment. Additionally, many students and their families believe in the misconception that life in Canada is effortlessly prosperous. However, the path to success in Canada is fraught with challenges, and while some students navigate these hurdles successfully, others falter.
Another contributing factor is the prevalence of scams, such as those related to the NEET exams in India, which disadvantage students who lack financial resources. Moreover, India’s extensive reservation system in jobs and educational institutes drives many students to seek opportunities abroad.
Before India can effectively support students like Harpreet, who face severe hardships in Canada, it must address these systemic issues. Without substantial reforms, the trend of students leaving India with high hopes—and sometimes returning in dire circumstances—will continue.