Despairing Indian students returning home jobless

Jobless Indian students claim they are facing financial ruin after coming to the UK on student visa and being unable to find work, with many relying on free meals from support agencies to survive while still others are being forced home in frustration.

At the Sikh gurdwara in the west London suburb of Southall, lunchtime each day sees a horde of volunteers prepare langar – a free meal made available to all temple worshippers. Opening at sunrise and closing late in the evening the gurdwara has seen a huge influx of attendees every meal time according to President Didar Singh Randawa.

Most of those attending are Indian students from the Punjab state and most have been forced there after running out of money. A common tale is of students who travel to the UK with high hopes only to be forced into cramped and over-priced accommodation which soon depletes the finances and the spirit. Up to four people frequently share one bedroom with rental prices of around £150 per person each month. Almost all had paid exorbitant fees to unscrupulous Punjabi agents to coordinate their travel under assurances that employment to support their studies would be easy to find once in Britain.

Foreign students can legally work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week but limited English language skills and the ongoing backlash against immigration has meant many are unable to find employment and debts are starting to mount.