Indian student Shravan Kumar, whose comatose images following a brutal racial attack on him last year shocked people back home, has been granted permanent residency (PR) by the Australian government.
“I am doing well now and the Australian government has granted me permanent residency,” said 26-year-old Shravan, who is still recovering from the injuries received in May 2009 when a group of teenagers attacked him with a screwdriver, which pierced his brain and damaged his vision.
He said he was delighted that he now had a PR status and would be entitled to all benefits.
Shravan, who remained comatose for 15 days after the attack, which also left three of his Indian friends injured, told PTI here on Wednesday that he was now managing most of his daily chores himself after months of rehabilitation.
The student, who came to Australia three years ago to study automotive engineering at Cambridge International College, said: “I have not been able to finish my course as I am still on the recovery path.”
Shravan still has over six months of his course left and has not yet decided on his future plans. “I don't venture out on my own,” he added, referring to his vision problem. However, he said he was very keen on fulfilling his ambition of becoming an automotive engineer.
Asked if he would like to stay back in Australia, he said he had no concrete plans at the moment as he was still recovering.
