Purdue University in Indiana is mourning the loss of one of its students, Neel Acharya, who was discovered dead on the university campus after having gone missing late last week. Neel Acharya was a dedicated student pursuing a double major in computer science and data science at the John Martinson Honors College of Purdue University. Originally from Pune, Bharat, he joined Purdue in 2022, showcasing his academic prowess and determination.
The heartbreaking news was conveyed to the university’s computer science department by Interim CS Head Chris Clifton in an email. Clifton described Neel as a “driven individual and academically talented,” expressing condolences to his friends, family, and all those affected by this tragedy. The news of Neel Acharya’s passing has left the community in shock, recognizing it as a substantial loss.
Confirmation of Neel’s death came through an email from the Office of the Dean of Students to Clifton. The identification matched Neel’s description and had his ID on the person. The circumstances surrounding his death remain undisclosed.
Neel Acharya’s friend and roommate, Aryan Khanolkar, fondly remembered him as a “loving, charismatic soul” and stated that his memory would be cherished by all who knew him.
This unfortunate incident follows closely on the heels of another tragedy within the Indian student community in the United States. Vivek Saini, an MBA student in Georgia, was brutally attacked and killed by a homeless man named Julian Faulkner. The horrifying incident, captured on camera, revealed Faulkner assaulting Saini with a hammer about 50 times at a Chevron Food Mart in Lithonia, Georgia.
Saini, who worked part-time at the convenience store that sheltered Faulkner, had previously shown generosity towards the homeless man, providing him with chips, a coke, water, and a jacket. The incident reportedly occurred when Saini refused to provide free food to Faulkner on January 16, asking him to leave for safety reasons. This refusal likely triggered the brutal attack that resulted in Saini’s tragic death.
These incidents have sent shockwaves through the Indian student community in the United States, prompting discussions on the safety and security of international students and the challenges they may face. The Purdue University community and the broader academic fraternity are left mourning the loss of Neel Acharya, a promising student whose potential was cut short tragically.
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