Colombo, February 12 (newsin.asia): The prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships were awarded to 150 Advanced Level school students from all 25 districts across Sri Lanka by G L Peiris, Minister of Education of Sri Lanka, and Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay, at a special ceremony held at the Ministry of Education, on February 11.
Minister G.L. Pieris in his speech lauded the values of Mahatma Gandhi who lived what he preached and how he fought against the powerful British in the last century using non-violence as a weapon. Sharing his experience of recent visit to Jaffna and Killinochchi in the Northern Province where he had seen how the different communities live together without differences, he advised the students to follow this principle when they grow up. He thanked the Government of India for the help it extends in different fields to Sri Lanka.
Congratulating students for their achievement, High Commissioner assured Sri Lankans in general and young students, in particular, that the Indian people, the Indian Government and the High Commission of India would always stand with them. Drawing parallel between the great Buddha and Mahatma, he stated that the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi still holds good in the fast changing world. Reminding that India and Sri Lanka have close cultural links, he advised the young students to utilize the opportunities available in India, which is a large country in terms of Education as well as career. He expressed confidence that the young students of Sri Lanka would be a great source of strength for both India and Sri Lanka in future.
Apart from Mahatma Gandhi scholarships, the High Commission of India offers around 750 scholarships annually in various fields including Engineering, Technology, Arts, Science, Para-medical courses, Indigenous medicine etc. to Sri Lankan students. Thousands of seats are also on offer for Sri Lankan students in many highly regarded institutions of India under “Study in India”.
For more details on the scholarship programmes and other educational assistance, please visit the High Commission of India’s website www.hcicolombo.gov.in
