Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay assured that the Indian people, the Indian Government and the High Commission of India would always stand with Sri Lankans in general and young students, in particular. The High Commissioner expressed these views while speaking at an event held at the Ministry of Education yesterday to award Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships to 150 Advanced Level students from all 25 districts. Drawing parallel between the 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 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. Meanwhile, Education 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. 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. For more details on the scholarship programmes and other educational assistance, the High Commission can be accessed at www.hcicolombo.gov.in