Friends,

Let me warmly welcome you all, especially ICCR scholars from Bangladesh, to this special evening to celebrate ‘ICCR Alumni Day, International Students Day and Education Day. 
From time immemorial, India has been a centre for learning. Thousands of years ago, great scholars taught via the scriptures. Masterpieces on subjects such as philosophy, religion, medicine, literature, drama and arts, astrology, mathematics and sociology were written and taught. The concept of Zero in mathematics is a remarkable contribution which is so fundamental to modern technology. World famous institutions, such as Nalanda, Vikramshila and Takshashila, which flourished from the 5th to 13th century AD in India, were at one time home to over 10,000 resident students and teachers on its roll, including Chinese, Sri Lankan, Korean and other international scholars. 
Today Indian educational institutions have made a significant contribution to transmission of knowledge and enquiry into frontiers of science and technology. In the field of traditional subjects such as arts and humanities as well as in pure sciences, applied physics and chemistry, mathematics and in areas of technology, the universities and higher institutes have been playing a leading role in transforming our country into a modern, industrialised, technologically advanced state. Without technology, innovation and liberal thinking no country can develop. 
Schools, colleges universities and Institutes of Higher Education in India have been extending their cooperation and friendship towards students of other developing countries. A large number of students from Bangladesh are pursuing studies at school, college and university levels in India. According to some estimates, every year, over 4000 new students from Bangladesh go to India to pursue their studies at various levels.
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (I.C.C.R) on behalf of the Government of India, offers scholarships and fellowships to over 1800 international students, from over 70 countries.

The Scholarship scheme for students from Bangladesh is being utilized since 1972. Every year, ICCR offers over 100 scholarships to students & scholars from Bangladesh. In addition, two scholarships are offered to students from Bangladesh under Commonwealth Scholarship/ Fellowship plan for masters, doctoral and post doctoral studies. Five scholarships are offered under AYUSH scheme for pursuing studies in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathic medicine. One fellowship and one scholarship are available to students from Bangladesh under the SAARC Fellowship and Scholarship scheme. ICCR also facilitates admission to students from Bangladesh to courses such as MBBS, BDS, B.Parma, BE under self financing scheme. 

We value our traditionally warm and shared civilisational heritage with Bangladesh. Friends, you are all very important links in the bonds of friendship between our two countries. 

It gives me great pleasure to announce that one of the leading singers of this country, Mrs. Rezwana Chowdhry Banya, herself an ICCR scholar, has kindly agreed to sing today. I am grateful to her for agreeing to perform today. 

Thank you again for joining us today.