INDIA TO SET UP FULL-FLEDGED CULTURAL CENTRE IN MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- India will set up a full-fledged Indian
Cultural Centre here, said its Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and
Parliamentary Affairs, Vayalar Ravi Monday.

Ravi said the Indian Council of Cultural Relations had decided to set up
the centre in Kuala Lumpur with its own premises.

"The High Commission of India (in Malaysia) is taking steps to establish
this centre early next year," he told reporters at the end of his three-day
official visit to Malaysia.

Currently the Indian High Commission is in the process of identifying
suitable premises and location for the centre.

Ravi also said that his ministry had set up the Overseas Indian
Facilitation Centre (OICF) as a one-stop platform of information and assistance
for overseas Indians desiring to participate in India's economic growth.

The Minister said the OICF had selected Kuala Lumpur to host a regional
investor meet in the first half of 2009, focusing on opportunities in India's
infrastructure, healthcare, real estate, information technology and other
sectors of interest.

Ravi said his ministry had recently instituted a new scheme --
"Scholarship
Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) for education in higher and technical
universities in India.

The programme covers admission as well as an annual financial assistance of
up to US$3,600 per student annually.

The Minister invited deserving Malaysian students of the Indian community
to apply for the scheme.

Ravi also said that an education and skills fair would be held in Malaysia
early next year to highlight new opportunities in the Indian higher educational
sector.