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Dear Stan, I write in reference to reports about attacks on Indian students studying in Australia.

I am an academician in Bahrain and a parent whose son has been studying in Australia for the last five years.

I have serious concerns about the safety and security of all Indian students studying there.

But I am unable to understand how Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan's refusal to accept an honour from an Australian university will help in eliminating acts of racism on Indian students and communities in Australia.

It is an Australian problem and this has to be resolved at government-to-government level.

The Australians' main problem is that the majority of them, in my opinion, could not care about the attacks on Indian students as the Australian press has largely ignored the issue. Had there been one single attack on an Australian in India because he is an Australian, their press would have had a field day.

It is said that Australian laws make it illegal for people to engage in racist activity or to encourage, incite or permit racist acts to occur and are aimed at protecting individuals who make complaints about racism.

If Australian legislation and education policies are to provide a racism-free education, then why are there such attacks on Indian students who constitute about 18 per cent of foreign students in Australia?

Therefore, the onus clearly is on the Australian government to take strict measures against those indulging in such condemnable acts.

Another perspective is that by accepting the honour, Mr Bachchan could have put India's reactions and views more effectively before young Australians.

He should have threatened that if the situation is not improved, he will return the honour. He should have told the Australian universities and other institutions not to treat Indian students merely as a source of revenue and to take adequate actions about improving security.

That would have been a better approach than conducting online polls asking his fans whether he should accept the honour or not.

The honorary degree was to be conferred on him by an academic institution, recognising his contributions to art and culture, and not by the Government of Australia.

But does any academic institution of repute ever promote or teach discriminatory values to students or society at large? The answer is an obvious, no.

Then, why mix up politics and academics?

People have labelled him a true patriot for his stand. But is the wisdom of showing patriotic feelings towards India only when one refuses to accept an honour?

If Mr Bachchan reconsiders his options, his visit to Australia would perhaps be a healing touch to the Indian students who need a sense of home and moral support at this moment because they feel insecure.

If Mr Bachchan goes and addresses a young Australian audience about the feelings and reactions of 1.12 billion people, he could emphatically say that he represents the country of Mahatama Gandhi who used non-violence to fight the apartheid policy in South Africa and how he got success there.

Racism represents the dark side of human behaviour. We need to remove misconceptions among the Australian people about India by creating awareness.

We need to tell them the role and contributions made by Indian students around the world.

We want to resolve the issue which our students are facing there before it gets worse.

Mr Bachchan, you are the greatest among our contemporary stars. You should have carried out another great act by visiting Australia and providing a healing touch to Indian students who number 90,000. Why not follow the footsteps of Mahatama Gandhi again in the 21st Century?

Professor P L Joshi, Bahrain.

Editor's note: A rally against racism was staged in Sydney after a series of attacks on Indian students in Melbourne. The latest in a wave of assaults on international students in Australia has been dubbed 'curry bashings' by the Indian media, splashing with headlines such as 'Australia, land of racists' and have provoked angry protests across the country. Australia's government has condemned the attacks but said racism was not behind them.

Dear Stan,

I just read Anasuya Kesavan's report on 'budding entrepreneurs'. It was very encouraging and enlightening.

On behalf of inJAz Bahrain and the girls, thank you for your time and interest.

Anurag Rai Andrade,

Manama

Dear Stan,

I appreciate the efforts taken by GulfWeekly for encouraging the young generation by highlighting their achievements.

Last week's report by Asma Salman (issue June 3-9, 2009) focusing on a talented schoolboy who ventured into high speed photography and the photos taken during the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix was par excellence.

The article gave a clear picture of the boy, his talents and the laurels he achieved.

Haridasan,

Manama

Dear Stan,

I try to read Shilpa's Shopping List at least once in a month. Thanks a lot for all the legwork involved towards saving our BDs during these harsh times.

Keep it up.

Sundar Aravind,

Bahrain.