PA/70/10 12 November 2010
Australian High Commissioner honours Asha children accepted into university
The Australian High Commissioner, Mr Peter N Varghese AO, today hosted an event to celebrate the achievements of 170 Delhi slum children who have been accepted into tertiary education.
The High Commissioner announced Australia would again fund NGO Asha’s successful education program in 2010-11 with a donation of 10 lakh rupees (A$23,000).
Working in partnership with Asha, the Australian High Commission has provided funding to support children through their final years at school, including for text books and extra tuition.
With Asha’s help the children then applied for and were accepted into a range of universities, including prestigious Delhi University, and renowned private colleges.
“I believe in the transformative power of education” said Mr Varghese, “and we are very proud to support the excellent work ASHA is doing to help Delhi’s underprivileged access these opportunities.”
Australian High Commissioner to India, Mr Peter N Varghese with Padma Shri Dr Kiran Martin after presenting the cheques.
The event marked the long-standing relationship between the Australian High Commission and Asha.
Mr Varghese also presented ASHA with a donation of over 2 lakh rupees (A$4,500) on behalf of the Australian athletes who participated in the Commonwealth Games. This is but one in a series of interactions between Asha and the Australian community. Asha founder, Padma Shri Dr Kiran Martin, recently delivered the Chancellor’s Human Rights lecture at the University of Melbourne.
“The increasing links between Australia and India in the social sector mirror growth across the breadth of the bilateral relationship” said Mr Varghese “I am pleased so many different Australian groups are supporting Asha.”
Contact:
Padma Shri Dr Kiran Martin
Asha Founder and Director
+91 9810 335 270
Shekhar Nambiar
Australian High Commission
9810154167