Sudarsan Pattnaik promotes India-Australia friendship on Puri Beach

Puri, June 2 (ANI): Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created images on sand in the wake of recent attacks on Indian students in Australia to convey the message that India and Australia should inculcate friendly ties.

He worked on this vital topic and exhibited it to the public on Monday in the wake of recent attacks on Indian students pursuing higher studies there.

Pattnaik said that both the countries should together try to find a solution for the safety of Indian students in Australia.

"We have made these sculptures with the intention of giving this message that we need friendship between both countries. We have created some students also. We don't want fighting," said Pattnaik.

Meanwhile families in Ahmedabad, whose wards are studying in Australia, expressed anguish over the recent attacks.

Alpesh Patel whose brother is studying in Australia shared the family's worries over the recent attacks.

"The Indian government should talk to the Australian government and find a solution to this problem so that the relation between both countries remains intact and more and more students are encouraged to go there and make their career. Such an action should be taken jointly by our government and the Australian government," said Alpesh Patel.

The attacks have been occurring for more than a year but came into focus last weekend when a student named Sravan Kumar Theerthala was left fighting for his life after being stabbed with a screwdriver.

Australian Police have repeatedly denied that racial hatred was a factor in the attacks by contending that Indian students were often simply in the wrong time at the wrong place as they travelled home late at night with items such as mobile phones and IPods. (ANI)