Neel Acharya’s Death Cause And Obituary: The Indian Student Found Dead at Purdue University
Neel Acharya, a 20-year-old Indian student who was pursuing a double major in computer science and data science at Purdue University in Indiana, USA, was found dead on the university campus on January 30, 2024.
His death has shocked and saddened his family, friends, and the academic community, who remember him as a driven, talented, and charismatic person.
How did Neel Acharya die?
The exact cause of Neel Acharya’s death is not yet known. According to a statement by Purdue University, a “college-aged” man matching Acharya’s description and carrying his ID was found dead near the Maurice J Zucrow Laboratories on the campus at about 10.30 am on Sunday. The university said that the local authorities were investigating the incident and that there was no indication of foul play or threat to the campus community.
Acharya had been missing since January 28, 12.30 am, as per a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) by his mother, Goury Acharya. She had appealed for any information on his whereabouts and said that he was last seen by the Uber driver who dropped him off at Purdue University. The Consulate General of India in Chicago had also responded to her post and said that they were in touch with the university authorities and Acharya’s family.
Indian MS student Neel Acharya found dead at Purdue campus. He was found missing Sunday night. A Reddit user posted this in r/purdue. The cause of his death is still unknown. Some of them are saying hypothermia. pic.twitter.com/Z6nxqUUMUw
— Rohith (@_rohithverse) January 30, 2024
Who was Neel Acharya?
According to his LinkedIn profile, Neel was a bright and ambitious student who had a passion for computer science and data science. He had joined Purdue University in 2022 as a part of the John Martinson Honors College and was expected to graduate in 2026. His LinkedIn profile says that he had completed his schooling in Pune, India, before moving to the US for higher studies.
Neel Acharya was also a friendly and outgoing person who had a lot of friends and interests. His friend and roommate, Aryan Khanolkar, described him as a “loving, charismatic soul, and will be cherished by all of us”. He said that Acharya loved to play video games, watch movies, and listen to music. He also said that Acharya was always ready to help others and had a positive outlook on life.
Acharya’s academic achievements and personal qualities earned him the respect and admiration of his professors and peers. Chris Clifton, the interim head of the computer science department at Purdue University, said that Acharya was a “driven individual and academically talented” and that his death was a “shock” and a “real loss to our community”. He said that Acharya had a bright future ahead of him and that he would be greatly missed.
How are people reacting to Acharya’s death?
Neel’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief and condolences from his family, friends, and the Indian diaspora in the US. His mother, Goury Acharya, thanked everyone who had helped in the search for her son and expressed her sorrow and disbelief at his demise. She said that Acharya was her “everything” and that she was “broken” by his loss.
Neel Acharya’s death has also raised questions and concerns about the safety and well-being of Indian students in the US, especially in the wake of another tragic incident that occurred earlier this month. Vivek Saini, a 26-year-old Indian student who had recently received an MBA degree in Georgia, was brutally attacked and killed by a homeless man with a hammer inside a store in Lithonia. The horrific incident was caught on camera and showed that Saini was hit about 50 times on the head by the assailant.
The Indian Embassy in Washington DC and the Consulate General of India in Chicago have expressed their condolences and support to the families of Neel Acharya and Vivek Saini and said that they were working with the local authorities to ensure justice and assistance. They have also urged the Indian students and community members in the US to be vigilant and cautious and to report any suspicious or distressing situations to the nearest Indian mission or consulate.
How can we pay tribute to Neel?
Acharya was a brilliant student who had a lot of potential and aspirations. He was also a kind and cheerful person who touched the lives of many people. His death is a tragic and untimely loss that has left a void in the hearts of his loved ones and admirers.
We can pay tribute to Neel Acharya by remembering his achievements, his passions, and his personality. We can also honor his memory by supporting his family and friends in their time of grief and by extending our solidarity and sympathy to the Indian students and community in the US who are facing challenges and hardships.
Neel was a shining star who left us too soon. He will always be remembered and missed by all who knew him.
