Regardless of the racial attacks on Indian students in Australia, Down Under continues to be a hot spot for Punjabi students.'We have assured parents about the safety of their wards as our officials are in constant contact with Indian students in Australia through our Melbourne office there,' Gulati added.

'The recent attacks on Indian students are very unfortunate and we strongly condemn them. However, at the same time it is not right to associate them with any kind of racism.' 'Australia is the most conducive, friendly and non-racist place that really encourages students to settle there. My whole family is living there and we have not faced any kind of racial attack or discrimination so far,'.

Presently around 93,000 Indian students are studying in Australia and over 40 percent of them have gone from Punjab.

'Even the Australian government is earning huge revenue from international students so they should guarantee their safety. In most of the cases, students are going there to earn PR (permanent residence) status as formalities there are less cumbersome if we compare it with other developed countries,' he added.

The courses that are most sought after among Indian students in Australia are hotel management, hospitality, accounting and hair-dressing.