After convocation, Afghan students left in the lurch in Odisha 

Afghan students in Odisha face uncertain future post-convocation: Seven Afghan students studying in Odisha faced disheartening reality of losing their privilege to reside in India post-convocation. Unable to return to Afghanistan, they are left adrift without a clear path forward. ICCR had extended scholarships to help them continue their education, but requests for extension remain unanswered, causing distress and uncertainty.

Convocation stands as an extraordinary milestone in educational journey of each student, marking the culmination of years of hard works, representing happiest moment in every student’s life. But, for seven Afghan students studying in Odisha, this momentous occasion was met with nervous feelings.

Post-convocation, these Afghan students were faced with the disheartening reality of losing their privilege to reside in India as students or a salaried worker. A return to Afghanistan becomes an unattainable option for them, given the prevailing climate of job scarcity, mounting individual debt burdens, and the looming threat of starvation. The termination of their education programmes leaves them adrift without a clear path forward.

Two Afghan students had their degrees from National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, three from KIIT University, Bhubaneswar while two completed his education programme from CV Raman Global University, Bhubaneswar.

“My admission in NIT, Rourkela, one of top engineering institutes in India, had heralded a new hope in my career and lives of other family members. But, Taliban’s retake of power in August 2021 shattered all my hopes. The hard work I had put in my studies seems to be going waste,” said Ibrahim Frough, who completed M.Tech degree in structural engineering.

Mr. Ibrahim’s right to live in India came to end in June this year while NIT authorities had already dropped hints of him having to give up hostel accommodation.

“I used to receive monthly stipend of ₹30,000. I am left with saving of only ₹33,000. I cannot afford to take accommodation on rent to extend my stay in India or there was no certainty on extension of VISA period as a salaried person in the country,” said Mr. Ibrahim who hails from Kabul.

Mr. Ibrahim’s family used to have steady flow of income with his mother working in Afghanistan government’s education department and father having a small business. After Taliban taking over Afghanistan, the family income came to naught. His younger brother fled to Iran to work where his income was nothing more than hand-to-mouth. His younger sister who was pursuing Computer Science in Kabul University is confined to home following diktat of Taliban rulers.