The Virginia Story

The most shocking thing to have rocked America. Just a few days back, i was discussing about the Future of America, as far as International things are concerned. Now, the killing of 34 students by a South Korean student in Virginia Tech College has left America shocked. A community stands together in Grief, while America is confronted with another serious problem, this time on their own Domestic front.

Unfortunately, two Indians were among the ones that were killed in the shootout. One Indian Professor and a student from India were among the 34 dead in the college, including the psychotic student. Whatever angles may be probed, wether it was a security lapse, or should the University have arranged for better Security, or was the student suffering from loneliness will come out in the next few days. However, two angles have been highlighted from this shooting. It will be very interesting if the People and American Lawmakers will push for this.

The shooting incident at Virginia Tech highlights the Flip Side of Gun Possession in the United States. This is not the first time that a shootout has happened in a College University in America. Several universities over the last three decades have witnessed shootouts, and some of them have been deadly. Stricter Gun Control Laws have always been on the Lawmakers Agenda, but they have not shown Interest in enforcing it. I do not understand the need to possess weapons by Ordinary People. Under the Guise of Self Defence, what is the guarantee that any Psychotic human being wont go on a shooting spree? Why must any American Citizen be allowed Guns and their licenses? From what i see it, the situation in America is not so bad that every second person is out to kill every other on the street in broad daylight.

If the Cowboy attitude of American citizens continue like this, then more shooting incidences anywhere will occur frequently. It is about time that Gun possession criterias be made more stricter. Gun Possession must not be found in Public Areas, and laws have to be passed that anybody above 25 must be eligible for the license in the first place. But, unfortunately, i am writing this at a time when the Horse has already bolted. Guns as a whole, for the Common man, are Bad, and the Virginia shootout highlights this fact.

What will the Indian Student Community do after this incident? Will the next new batch that will arrive in the coming years change their mind and try something out in India? Will the students give up the great American Dream? Is the incident that will jolt people out of the bubble that America is the perfect dream?

The answer for all that is NO. As part of the Diaspora in the future, I can say that this generaion of Indians will not let anything perturbe them. Many thousands of Indian students will make the trip to the US, UK or Australia to make a life for themselves. Inspite of threats like Racism, unsafe environment for Aliens, Second Class treatment, the motto for this generation is firmly, "Anything to do for a Living". I guess people have several strong perceptions about life in countries like America and Britain. They have fixed it upon their minds that whatever happens, life in the West is much better than the life at home.

But, most important, the shooting at Virginia Tech highlights the fact that Students who go abroad need support and not differentiation from their colleagues. If they are made to feel home, and they are also given equal treatment, then none of this might happen. But, in an era, where Stereotypes and Negative perceptions dominate, perhaps, sometime down the line, another Virginia might occur. At that time, the consequences could be deadlier.