New Delhi/California. Serious questions have once again been raised on the safety of Indian students who crossed the seven seas with the dream of a better future and higher education. There has been a stir after the body of 22-year-old Indian student Saket Srinivasiah, who was missing for the last 6 days in Berkeley, California, was recovered. Saket, originally from Karnataka, was pursuing a master’s degree at the University of California, Berkeley. The Indian Consulate in San Francisco has confirmed this sad news and expressed its deep condolences to the family of the student.

Last seen 1 km away from campus, backpack was found near the park

Saket Srinivasaiah had gone missing under mysterious circumstances since February 9. He was last seen just a kilometer away from the university campus. After Saket’s disappearance, the local police and the Indian Embassy conducted a large-scale search operation in the inaccessible areas of Lake Anza and Berkeley Hills. During the investigation, Saket’s backpack was recovered near a house near Tilden Regional Park, in which his passport and laptop were found safe, which deepened the suspicion of some untoward incident.

Saket was a ‘bright’ student of IIT Madras, a big patent was registered in his name

The news of Saket’s death has shocked the academic world as well. He was an extremely bright student and graduated from IIT Madras, the country’s prestigious institute. Saket was studying chemical and biomolecular engineering at Berkeley. A major invention was also registered in his name; He was part of the six-member team that received a patent for ‘Microchannel Cooling System for Hyperloop’. According to his LinkedIn profile and classmates, Saket was known for his gentle demeanor, honesty and sharp intellect.

Question raised in Parliament on student security abroad: Ministry of External Affairs replied

Amidst this tragic incident, politics has also become heated regarding the increasing deaths and safety of Indian students abroad. On the question raised by MP Asaduddin Owaisi in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that Indian missions are in constant touch with the students studying abroad. The ministry said that students are made aware of possible risks and safety precautions at an early stage and advisories are also issued from time to time. The embassy is now engaged in the process of sending Saket’s mortal remains to India as soon as possible.