Hyderabad : In a tragic incident that has captured the attention of the Indian community, the Telangana state government has pledged its unwavering support to the family of Pucha Varun Raj, a 24-year-old Indian student pursuing an MS degree at Valparaiso University in Indiana. Varun fell victim to a brutal stabbing at a gym, leaving him in a critical condition and his family in dire need of assistance.
Varun Raj, hailing from Khammam town in Telangana, was viciously attacked when an assailant drove a knife into his temple at a public gym in Valparaiso. The severity of the injury led to his immediate transfer to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, where he currently remains in extremely critical condition.
His father, Ramamurthy, a teacher in Mahabubabad district, urgently sought the intervention of Transport Minister P. Ajay Kumar, imploring assistance to secure the best possible medical treatment for his son. Responding to this plea, State Minister for NRI Affairs, K.T. Rama Rao, assured the family that the government, in coordination with the Indian embassy and Telangana NRI friends, would extend comprehensive support to Varun and his loved ones during this trying time.
The assailant, identified as 24-year-old Jordan Andrade, has since been taken into custody after carrying out the unprovoked attack. Andrade alleged that he believed Varun posed a threat and feared an assassination attempt, despite any substantiating evidence. The bleak prognosis for Varun’s survival is a grim reminder of the gravity of the situation.
Jordan Andrade currently awaits his court appearance while detained at the Porter County Jail. The incident has sparked concerns regarding the safety of Indian students studying abroad and has raised questions about the measures in place to protect their well-being.
In a related development, NATS (North America Telugu Society) is organizing a fundraiser in support of Varun Raj’s family, highlighting the solidarity and empathy of the Indian community during times of distress.
