The first batch of Nepali students today left for India under the newly launched ‘Bharat-Nepal Maitri Shiksha Karyakram’, which aims to enhance student-to-student interaction between India and Nepal.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu today said in a statement that a group of 20 Nepali students are visiting Calcutta University, one of the most prestigious and oldest universities of India, from November 1 to 25.

According to the embassy, the first President of India Rajendra Prasad, incumbent President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and President of Nepal Ram Baran Yadav are among the distinguished alumni of the university.

The visit programme would include field trips to places of historical and cultural importance in Kolkata, participation in educational events and interaction programmes with leading local personalities.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Nepal in August had announced establishment of the ‘Bharat-Nepal Shiksha Maitri Karyakram’ for Nepali students pursuing Undergraduate/Post-graduate courses in various disciplines in Nepal.

source: the himalayan times, 1 nov 2014