Indian Embassy in Bangkok celebrated the annual Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day and International Students Day on 18 March 2013 in Bangkok. More than 150 distinguished Thai officials and students who had undergone short and long term course in India attended the event organized by the Embassy of India. A short cultural programme comprising popular Indian songs by Ms. Ravinder Kaur and a performance called “Rhythm of India” by Ms. Sejal Sood and Ustad Vasi Ahmad Khan from Indian Cultural Center, Bangkok was organized and some of Thai officials and students recalled and shared their experiences and fond memories about India on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Anil Wadhwa stated, “Government of India has institutionalized the ITEC programme in 1964. It is the flagship programme of the Indian Government’s technical cooperation effort with 158 countries, not only because of its wide geographical coverage, but also for innovative forms of technical cooperation and to share in the Indian development experience. These training programmes have contributed significantly towards capacity building and human resource development in many parts of the world.”

Government of India offers 90 scholarships annually under ITEC to Thailand. During the past decade, over 425 officers from Thailand have attended various training programmes in India under the ITEC scheme. Under the Technical Cooperation Scheme of Colombo Plan, Thailand is offered ten seats annually. 113 Thai officials have attended training courses in Indian institutes during the past 12 years. In addition, over 170 students from Thailand have availed of scholarships offered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations over the past twelve years.

(Bangkok-20 March 2013)