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The Hobart community has rallied behind international student Devarshi Deka to celebrate his 33rd birthday.
Devarshi, who's known as Dev, arrived in Hobart last year to study at the University of Tasmania (UTAS).
But an alleged assault on Hobart's waterfront in November left him paraplegic and with a brain injury.
Celebrating Dev's 33rd birthday in Hobart's north on Saturday, his friend Rishabh 'Rick' Kaushik said the support from the community to make it a special day was very meaningful for Dev and his loved ones.
"It gives him a lot of emotional backing, it gives him a belief that we're all together, we're all one," Mr Kaushik said.
He said it was clear reassurance that the "solidarity" behind Dev was still there.
"The reason they're here is just to show Dev that he's not alone in his struggle; he's not alone in these hard times and this has refined the image of Tasmania in Dev's brain.
"This is one of the major reasons he doesn't want to leave, because he knows people here love him and they will keep loving him until he's able to stay here."
Dev's father, Kula Ranjan Depa, said the event was positive for Dev's mental health.
"I am thankful for the people of this community. I am very grateful for them…this event will surely help him mentally, as well as physically," he said.
An online crowdfunding effort established to support Dev and his family has now raised more than $93,000.
UTAS has also agreed to extend Mr Deka's accommodation for as long as needed.
But, without permanent residency, Dev will have to return to India before his student visa expires. If that happens, the flight back will be covered by insurance, but not ongoing medical support.
His family said he wouldn't be able to access the care he needed.
The Multicultural Council of Tasmania has started a petition to lobby the premier to push the federal government into granting Dev permanent residency.
It currently has more than 6,200 signatures.
Greens MP Helen Burnett, who is sponsoring the petition, said it would be tabled in parliament next week.
She said the number of signatures already received was "an amazing show of strength", with the petition still open until Monday.
"This is something that has changed Dev's life forever," Ms Burnett said.
"This happened in Tasmania and it's very important that Australians, and Tasmanians in particular show that support and that's what they're doing by signing this petition.
"It's incumbent on us as a community, and for the minister, minister [Andrew] Giles, to support Dev and this request."
Labor MP Josh Willie said there needed to be "as many people as possible" in Tasmania lobbying the federal minister.
He said the community support behind Dev was clear.
"I've had so many people reach out to me in recent weeks saying they'd seen Dev in the media and that they were thinking about [him] and wanting to support him in any way they can."
Mr Kaushik said Dev's condition was steadily improving.
"He was not able to move, not talk, not even stand, not even open his eyes for very long. He's gone from there to right here where he's sitting on a wheelchair, talking to people. For us this is immense progress."
Mr Kaushik said it was "urgent" that his residency, or NDIS support, was granted before he was discharged.
"Once he is discharged from the hospital, he needs specialised care," he said.
"This is the least we can do for him as a community, as a government, as Australians, is to help him keep going with that care he's already getting."
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the government had reached out to Dev's family, and that it was important the federal government worked with them "during this difficult time".
The federal government said it was unable to comment on individual cases.
Dev's case is still going through the courts.
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