NEW DELHI. Mar 28: For the academic year 2021-22, the Government of India has announced 1000 long-term scholarships for Afghan nationals, funded by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). This scholarship scheme includes Under-Graduate courses (BA/B.Com/B.Sc/BBA/BCA), Post-Graduate courses (MA/M.Sc/M.Com/MBA), Engineering courses (B.E./B.Tech/M.E./M.Tech etc.) and M.Phil/Ph.D in various universities/institutions in India. The scholarship programme will cover tuition, housing, and living expenses in accordance with the rules.
According to a press release issued by the Indian Embassy in Kabul, the Afghan aspirants must be in the age group of 18 to 30 years at the time of enrolment for UG/PG courses, and those eligible for Ph.D. programmes up 45 years. Medical / Paramedical (Nursing / Physiotherapy / Anaesthesia / Fashion courses are not eligible for ICCR scholarships. Students must directly fill out the online application form on the ICCR portal and have the option of applying to five universities/institutions of their choosing in priority order along with an essay in 500-words in English to demonstrate English proficiency. The Scholarship Portal will be available from March 15th, 2021 to April 30th, 2021.
India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka pays a visit to Vidyalankara Pirivena.
Gopal Baglay, India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, paid a visit to Vidyalankara Pirivena in Peliyagoda, one of the world’s leading Theraveda Buddhist monastic schools established in 1875. Baglay paid his respects to Venerable Welamitiyawe Dharmakirthi Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thero, Principal of Vidyalankara Pirivena and Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, in the campus shrine room that houses sacred relics of Lord Buddha. Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner designate to India, was also present during the visit.
According to a press release issued by the Indian High Commission in Colombo, Venerable Welamitiyawe Gnananrathena Thero, Director of the Vidyalankara Pirivena, recalled India’s strong friendship with the Vidyalankara Pirivena. Dr Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President, was the Chief Guest at the Vidyalankara University’s inauguration ceremony in June 1956. Other notable Indian visitors to the Pirivena included former President Dr S. Radhakrishnan, who was Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University in 1944, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Smt. Indira Gandhi, Prof P.V. Bapat, and others. Many Buddhist scholars from all over the world, including India, have been educated and involved in academic activities at the Pirivena.
Baglay met with the Vidyalankara Pirivena faculty and discussed ways to improve the close historical and cultural relations between India and the Pirivena in the field of Buddhism. In this regard, it was agreed to explore cooperation in the field of capacity building through exchange programmes and assistance in research activities at the Pirivena.
One of the greatest and most lasting links between India and Sri Lanka is the shared Buddhist heritage. The governments of India and Sri Lanka are currently negotiating joint ventures to strengthen Buddhist relations between the two countries, for which India announced a grant assistance of US$ 15 million last year.
(Venkatesh Iyer)