Thousands of Indian students studying medicine in China are seeking an
urgent return to college. The students had come home early last year for their
winter break and have remained stranded since, unable to return and the
COVID-19 outbreak led to curbs being imposed in international travel.

Also Read | List of requirements for Indians travelling to Dubai

As months go by, the students are getting increasingly anxious about when
China will lift its curbs allowing them to return to their colleges.

Missing out on practical classes

The students’ chief worry is that they are missing out on practical classes
even though online classes are continuing. This puts a big question mark on
their future as medical doctors, several students said.

“I have attended classes online, but we are completely missing out on
practicals. I have completed two years of my course but I still haven’t done an
anatomy dissection,” said Delhi-based medicine student of Xi’an Jiatong
University.

Also Read | UK reopening deadline extended by four weeks

Further, with most Chinese apps banned in India, students have had to
resort to virtual private networks (VPNs) to access their classes.

Students’ appeal

Desperate to return to college, students have started campaigns on social
media requesting Indian authorities to arrange for their return. A Twitter
campaign with the hashtag #takeusbacktochina has been initiated. Students have
also reached out to the Indian Prime Minister seeking the government’s
intervention.

Also Read | Germany reclassifies Spain as COVID risk area

Word from the government

The Indian embassy in China issued a statement on March 22 where it said
that it is continuing to follow up closely with Chinese authorities including
the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China regarding concerns
of Indian students in China.

China’s response

Li Bin, China’s vice-minister of the National Health Commission, said that
Beijing cannot relax pandemic controls right now.

Also Read | Student parties lead to COVID surge in Spain

“Some cities have recently
seen local clusters caused by imported cases of the Delta variant, including in
Guangzhou, Shenzen and Ruili,” he said.

Officials said that China has to permit the return of foreign students
either by September this year or by April next year at the start of the new
academic year.