On monday Virginia Tech, my alma mater, had to witness a horrific shooting that killed 32 people and injured scores others. My thoughts and prayers are with the students, faculty and families of the victims.
I arrived at Virginia Tech in 1980 on a cold September night following my first ever trip abroad. Earlier that night I had arrived at Roanoke airport on a flight from New York around 9pm with no friends and acquaintances at the University and worried about what was in store for me. The limousine drive from Roanoke to Blacksburg with a female driver on her walkie-talkie seems hazy now after almost 27 years but was instrumental in forming friendships with an Indian professor and a returning graduate chinese student from Hong Kong, Bosco.
Bosco was returning from his home in Hong Kong that night after the summer holidays. He had been a graduate student of computer science at VPI and SU (as Virginia Techwas known in those days) for about 3 years and he took one look at my "totally lost" look and wanted to help. He offered to have me stay that night in his apartment which I gladly accepted. All I remember that night is how I went and crashed on the floor of his living room with my 2 suit cases around me after a trip that took me around half the globe.
The next morning Bosco took me to the Burruss Hall where the foreign student offices were located. Norris Hall where more than 30 people died yesterday was next door. I was floored by the beautiful sight of this campus from Burruss Hall with the green oval drill field and all the gothic grey structures around this oval. The criss-crossing of students on the drill field was a great sight of an University in full flow even though classes had not started yet. You could see students carrying all kinds of things - TV, cupboards, books, boxes, etc - and trying to settle down in the dorms. During the summer months, you could hundred of students play frisbee. Yesterday, I was pained to see the drill field empty and the swat teams moving through it with their guns drawn taking cover behind trees and swat cars.
The foreign student advisor appreciated Bosco for his help to me and requested him to help me find an apartment that morning. We loaded all my belongings into his big american car and went around the town of Blacksburg. It didn't take long for one to go across the town (there is only main road in the town). The town is nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains on the border with West Virginia at an altitude of around 2000 ft. The town is in the midst of beautiful green rolling hills all around with duck ponds and lakes strewn all across the town.
It didn't take too long to find an apartment and a roommate. Thanks to Bosco and I had a pleasant experience being a FOB ("Fresh of the Boat") that day in 1980. Being in an alien country with very little money and no friends, the help from the Boscos of Virginia Tech have enabled people like me make the transition to live in this country in those initial days.
Hope world pays attention to Iraq also. Today here are 160 people dead in Iraq. There thousands dead already and many more to die. Hope someone can come up with solution to end killings in IRAQ, God help,
RE:Today there are 160 people dead in Iraq.
by abhishek nair on Apr 18, 2007 11:16 PM Permalink
Sadly, both are indirect consequences of Bush's policies on Iraq and laxity on gun control laws in the U.S. How does this man live with himself?
RE:Today there are 160 people dead in Iraq.
by Rohan Joshi on Apr 19, 2007 01:50 AM Permalink
It doesn't make much sense to blame Bush for what happened at VA Tech. I mean, gun laws have been lax in the US forever and this could have happened under the presidency of ANY US president, Republican or Democrat. I don't thik it's fair to blame him for this. When you say "Indirect", he is the president of the only superpower in the world, every incident that occurs on the international theater can be attributed "indirectly" to him, but it makes little sense.
Each and every death at Virginia Tech is tragic. We (Indians) mourn especially for Loganathan and Panchal because of their Indian roots. If you can sympathise with the families of the dead, please do so. If you can not, plese show enough dignity and respect for the dead to refrain from denigrating them. They are no longer here to defend themselves. Please do not make this a forum to flaunt our egos and our ideas of patriotism.
How many times Loganathan visited India and why his parents do not have passports are their personal business; unless you stand in their shoes, you will never know their circumstances.
In the end, what really matters is how they led their lives, their dedication and passion to their work, how many people they helped and touched and what memories they left behind. Let they be judged by that; not by our petty notions of goodness such as their and their families' travel itineraries.
RE:Unfotrunate tragedy
by abhishek nair on Apr 18, 2007 11:15 PM Permalink
Sachin's cowardice comes through his selection of name in itself. I suspect our comments will not change as crude and inhumane a mind as his anyways.
RE:Unfotrunate tragedy
by Sachin Dendulkar on Apr 18, 2007 07:36 PM Permalink
For those who forget the motherland will have to end their live like this. this is not an example, it is a true result. Let his soul may live peacefully.
RE:RE:RE:Unfotrunate tragedy
by karuna garan on Apr 18, 2007 08:04 PM Permalink
Your are became non-senses fellow, if your father or your family members died in place of Mr. Loganathan then you are writing this.
Atleast now we Indians must understand that education in USA involves such risk. I am in Canada now and given to understand that education in North America is no better than India. Here students are made to undergo hardship thus they have severe stress and tension. hence many whites do not go for higher studies, whereas we Indians think that education in North America is superb! Its not so, I beg to differ
RE:Virginia Tech Shoot out
by bombay india on Apr 18, 2007 10:20 PM Permalink
Many 'whites' do not go for higher education bcos of the high expenses, and bcos jobs are easily available for undergrads. Therefore only the ones who are really interested in higher education go for it. I can tell u from experience that the quality of higher education here is superb
RE:Virginia Tech Shoot out
by kumar on Apr 18, 2007 11:38 PM Permalink
for an average college, the higher education in US is far superior to India. If you are comparing IIT to Columbia, thats different because not everyone has a chance to go to IIT.
The reason why I am writing this is not to discuss education. Please lets not discuss the education system of either countries here. Its a sad moment for a man's death. Lets respect that.
Many people are commenting what govt had done is right. Out govt had never done any thing right and how can we think that they have done some thing right. Here is a news from MADRAS, INDIA that loganathan parents are issued passports in one day. How can this happen. According to the rules it should not happen. It will never happen in USA and UK. There they always say that rule is rule for all at all times on all basis. But in india how this is possible. And another thing is loganathan never invited his parents or brother to see him in US. He is such a fellow that he never came back to india in his 15 years. Why we have to help such people when there are really some good people who are dying abrod and our govt not even feeling responsibility to their bodies.
RE:Peolple please understand
by umashankar narayanan on Apr 19, 2007 04:18 AM Permalink
Though I dont agree completely with Sachin(esp discussing prof's personal life), I feel Sachin has a point. I know a first year student in NJIT was killed 3 months ago, and the last I heard was his body was not sent to India even after one month ALL BECAUSE OF BUREAUCRACY IN Indian embassy in New York. I feel this time govt has acted quickly because it does not want to be seen in bad light. I am sure this is a one-off thing. Dont expect much from Indian Govt or Embassy in US. They are only a bunch of money-suckers!!!
RE:Peolple please understand
by Godwin on Apr 19, 2007 01:15 AM Permalink
Sachin - buddy kindly open up your brain - put yourself in the place of a parent whos son is killed and they would never see him again. Indian govt understood this emergency, US embassy understood this...why cant you ?
RE:Peolple please understand
by adhi tiyan on Apr 19, 2007 12:23 AM Permalink
Hey Bright guy,Not only did they get their passports they got the "US" visa with even lesser time.This is called compassion & humaity may be you should try that once.....
RE:Peolple please understand
by gulshan dhariwal on Apr 19, 2007 06:52 AM Permalink
are you perfect? dude..go to a good counselor.. you really need help!!
RE:Peolple please understand
by Raj on Apr 18, 2007 06:18 PM Permalink
Miracles do happen...(This is nothing short of a miracle for the deceased family)
Like you have a right to give your opinion (even if it is not your business,like in this case), the slain INDIAN Professor also had a right to have a wish. And it is his business.
And by the way, If you have nothing good to say, better say nothing. Peace to you!
RE:Peolple please understand
by abhishek nair on Apr 18, 2007 11:12 PM Permalink
It is called compassion. How do you know the professor has no attachment to India? Are his parents not living in India? Are those not sufficient relations?
For every tragedy, there's an idiot like you who shuts his minds to developments in the world. These atitudes only reinforce the impression that you speak from resentment.
A teacher does good work by default. After all, Professor Loganathan taught and was loved by many students, including Indian students. The fact that he dedicated his life to education is reason enough, regardless of whom he taught. But, of course, people like you who sully the name of teachers and devalue education would never be capable of such empathy.
RE:Why Visas to loganathan's parents????
by Ramkumar Raghavan on Apr 18, 2007 05:49 PM Permalink
I feel sorry for the indians like you doing politics for each and every thing.
I really feel sorry for the professor and his family. I pray to god for his family.
RE:Why Visas to loganathan's parents????
by Chandrasekhar Chundi on Apr 18, 2007 05:39 PM Permalink
The professor was highly admired by his students & the institution and he developed an attachment to the institution he teaches, and wants his life dedicated to that institution. What is wrong in that? His wish is being fulfilled and thankfully our government is backing that. If someone likes you is heading the External Affairs, you wouldnt even give parents a chance to see their beloved son's mortal remains.
Please be sensible in posting such messages especially when someone is in grief. Thanks.
RE:Why Visas to loganathan's parents????
by on Apr 18, 2007 05:37 PM Permalink
I totally disagree with ur statement.Seems to be you are much worried abt his burrying place. We are not going to clinch any achievements by burrying his body in India. The whole nation mourns for this humiliating incident why do u want to politicise in a different perspective.I beleive some of ur close relatives should be a representative from Member of Parliament or from Assembly.Sometime Genetic factor play a predominant role. Dear friend kindly refrain in passing comments like this.
RE:Why Visas to loganathan's parents????
by Chandrasekhar Chundi on Apr 18, 2007 05:39 PM Permalink
The professor was highly admired by his students & the institution and he developed an attachment to the institution he teaches, and wants his life dedicated to that institution. What is wrong in that? His wish is being fulfilled and thankfully our government is backing that. If someone likes you is heading the External Affairs, you wouldnt even give parents a chance to see their beloved son's mortal remains.
Please be sensible in posting such messages especially when someone is in grief. Thanks.
RE:Why Visas to loganathan's parents????
by Raj on Apr 18, 2007 06:05 PM Permalink
Like you have a right to give your opinion (even if it is not your business,like in this case), the slain INDIAN Professor also had a right to have a wish. And it is his business.
And by the way, If you have nothing good to say, better say nothing. Peace to you!
RE:US VISA??
by mahesh jindal on Apr 18, 2007 07:22 PM Permalink
These family members are going to see their son for one last time.They are not going to US to plan another atttcak like you mullis do
Shocked to see such a idiotic Note. I am totally surprised to see such type of devils roaming around in this world.R u mad dear friend to probe into whether they have passport or not ? Dont try to steal attention by passing these type of hurting comments . No one is ready to hear your prejudiced comment on this breathtaking incident.
Around 9 months back in Cardiff (UK), a group of Indian students met with an accident. One student from Gujarat died here. She come from poor family and their family did not have sufficient money to take her body to India. It costs around £2500 to take a body to India.
Her body was kept here and donation appeal was made. Lions club and other charities helped to raise that money. Ultimately her body was sent to India.
In this case she had good friend circle around to help and also Indians living in UK helped her.
It raises few questions.... 1. What happens if someone dies in foreign country? Especially when they are on student visa or as a tourist. 2. This can be really painful process if deceased person do not have wealthy family behind. 3. Why Indian government do not have any norm for such situation? Indian high commission in respective country should help in such situation? 4. A need for international treaty arises here. When a non-citizen dies in any country, that country should take the body to his/her home country.
RE:What about tragedy elsewhere
by vijayababu on Apr 19, 2007 04:28 AM Permalink
Hi guys, There are number of Insurance companies doing Repatriation of remains expenses in foreign countries. This is affordable and it is not expensive one (less than 100USD per year for students) . The students coming from india should enroll on to this. They must consider it as primary like applying social security number etc.
RE:What about tragedy elsewhere
by ertet etetet on Apr 18, 2007 04:35 PM Permalink
SEE the case of Prof. Sabherwal,in M.P.In full media glare he was murdered,now BJP is shielding the culprits of ABVP.
RE:What about tragedy elsewhere
by mahesh jindal on Apr 18, 2007 07:30 PM Permalink
Hey ET?? Your name suggests youre ET !!! Why has sabharwal entered this room??Sabharwal is Gone baby...Love him too much??Bettter you to go
RE:What about tragedy elsewhere
by on Apr 18, 2007 04:31 PM Permalink
For the transport of mortal remains to home country, special insurances are available. Some of them even bear the cost of a attending doctor/nurse, if some patient needs to return to home country in critical condition.
RE:[object]
by James Susaimuthu on Apr 18, 2007 05:09 PM Permalink
one can't have insurance for everything, these are basic rights of individuals that the government should be willing to protect. After all we have govts to help us in times of crisis.
RE:What about tragedy elsewhere
by Mahesh Vaylampurathu on Apr 18, 2007 04:33 PM Permalink
I think we have a Insurance Policy that covers the cost of trasport of mortal remains in case of an accident.
RE:What about tragedy elsewhere
by James Susaimuthu on Apr 18, 2007 05:06 PM Permalink
You have asked the right questions. Let everyone take notice of this. We have treaties for trade and investment of money but not for human capital I guess.
RE:What about tragedy elsewhere
by subramanian padmanabhan on Apr 18, 2007 05:45 PM Permalink
yes many agree with theobservations.While India is so particular in signing treaty for NUKE deals, trade agreements etc,they tend to forget the value of an Indian quite contrary to the value attached by nations like UK,USA,FRANCE & many others.It looks their citizens are more superior than an Indianand se what happens if any of their nationalis killed in India.Our govt has no brain and guts to show to the world we are too precious.Our skills arevalued but not our lives.Itis shameful man.When are wegoing to wakeup to all these.Even now it is not too late, our Indian govt can do suitable amends and value human lives ofIndians.Why not they earmark somefunds tomeet thiskind of emergencies.Hey God, when are u going to teach theIndian pms/ministerson this.Please ppear immediately in the parliamentand sort out the issue.
