The Deputy Prime Minister and Education, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Minister, Viliame Gavoka and commemorated the Indian Council for Cultural Relations Foundation Day at the Holiday Inn yesterday evening.

He while highlighting the founding principles of the ICCR by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, commended India’s rich cultural heritage and its willingness to share it with other nations.

Expressing appreciation for India’s continued development assistance,  Gavoka emphasised India’s role as an education hub, particularly in  the Science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields and the opportunities it presents for Fijian students.

The Deputy Prime Minister also highlighted ICCR’s digitalisation efforts to streamline scholarship enrollment processes, urging successful applicants to return to Fiji and contribute their knowledge and skills to the nation’s development.

Gavoka further expressed hope for the continued growth of Fiji-India relations and thanked India for enhancing cultural and educational ties.