Each year, students from Bangladesh travel to India’s prestigious institutions, including Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, and the National Law University, in pursuit of higher education. However, recent unrest in Bangladesh has left these students straddling two worlds—finding security in India while grappling with anxiety about their families’ safety back home and facing mounting financial challenges.
Unrest and Security Concerns
The current instability in Bangladesh has created a precarious situation for students studying in India. While these students find some solace in their academic environments, their minds are often preoccupied with the safety of their loved ones amidst the ongoing turmoil.
Abu Obaidha Arin, who journeyed from Satkhira to pursue a BTech in Information Technology at Delhi University, shared his distress. “The situation is grim at home, so even while traveling, I spend almost every moment worrying about safety and the unrest in my country,” Arin said. He had to undertake an arduous 26-hour journey from Dhaka to Delhi due to the disrupted flight schedules.
“When the university resumed on August 1, my parents were hesitant to let me return. However, since things seemed safer in Delhi, they eventually agreed,” he explained. Arin, who does not have a scholarship, is also struggling with financial issues as his father’s printing press was shut down due to the unrest. He hopes the university can offer some support during this challenging time.
Financial Strain
The financial strain on Bangladeshi students in India has intensified, particularly for those without scholarships. The instability back home has disrupted the flow of remittances from their families, adding to their financial stress.
Baibhav Majumdar, a 22-year-old law student at the National Law University in Delhi, expressed his concerns about both his family’s safety and his financial situation. “I have been feeling distressed about my family since the unrest began,” Majumdar said. He is troubled by reports of violence in his village and attacks on minorities, which led his parents to relocate to a safer area.
Majumdar is also anxious about the high fees for foreign students at NLU. “If economic instability continues in Bangladesh, it will be challenging for my family to cover my expenses,” he added.
Communication Barriers and Academic Pressure
For Kashish Agarawala, a 20-year-old law student at NLU who has been studying in Delhi since her school days, the instability has resulted in communication challenges. The third-year student faced difficulties contacting her family due to poor internet connections and a shutdown of banking and commercial services in Bangladesh.
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“I am relieved that I can now communicate with my parents,” Agarawala said. However, the disruption has impacted her ability to pay her academic fees. “I have informed the college about the delay caused by the unrest, and I am grateful for their understanding,” she said.
Agarawala suggested that universities could play a more proactive role in alleviating the stress faced by Bangladeshi students. “Providing additional support or flexibility with deadlines could significantly help those of us who are feeling isolated and anxious due to the situation back home,” she proposed.
University Support and Future Prospects
The plight of Bangladeshi students in India highlights the need for more comprehensive support systems to address their unique challenges. As they navigate the complexities of living in a foreign country while dealing with the impacts of political and economic instability back home, greater empathy and assistance from educational institutions could make a significant difference.
In the meantime, these students continue to balance their academic pursuits with the emotional and financial burdens brought about by the unrest in Bangladesh. Their resilience in the face of adversity underscores the strength of their commitment to their education and their hope for a brighter future.
