Indian High Commissioner, H.E Bathath Kumar flanked by Batswana scholars that have won ICCR scholarship to study in India
By Cynthia Thanda
The Tswana idiom, “Thuto lesedi la sechaba,” meaning education is the light and future of the people, aptly reflects the spirit of cooperation between Botswana and India.
Both nations continue to invest in building an informed and educated generation, with India reaffirming its commitment through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarship Programme.
On a breezy 13th July evening in Gaborone, those words carried new weight as dozens of young Batswana gathered at India House, their faces lit with anticipation.
They were not just students; they were torchbearers of a partnership between Botswana and India that has been nurtured through books, classrooms, and shared dreams. For these scholars, the event was more than a briefing, it was a rite of passage.
In his address, the Indian High Commissioner, H.E Bharath Bathath Kumar, congratulated the students and reminded them that education is not only a personal pursuit but also a bridge between nations. His words resonated deeply: “Make the most of the academic, cultural, and personal experiences that await you in India.”
The evening’s highlight came when seven ICCR alumni stepped forward to share their journeys.
In small mentoring circles, they spoke candidly about navigating campus life, finding accommodation, adjusting to new foods and festivals, and the challenges of adapting to a different academic culture.
Their stories were not polished speeches but lived experiences, tales of resilience, discovery, and growth.
The atmosphere was electric. Students leaned forward, eager to absorb every detail. Questions flowed: How do you manage homesickness? What is the food like? How do you balance studies with cultural exploration? The answers sparked laughter, reassurance, and a sense of solidarity.
The first batch of 13 students had attended a similar orientation on 30 June 2026. During that session, the High Commissioner congratulated them on their selection and highlighted India’s increased scholarship allocation to Botswana, rising from 54 to 75 slots this year, as a demonstration of India’s commitment to supporting Botswana’s human resource development.
For both groups, the journey ahead is daunting yet exhilarating. They will leave familiar streets for bustling Indian cities, exchange Setswana greetings for Hindi phrases, and trade the comfort of home for the challenge of independence.
But they carry with them the hopes of families, communities, and a nation that believes education is the surest path to progress.
Both sessions concluded with alumni mentoring and words of encouragement from the High Commission, which wished all scholarship recipients a safe journey and success in their studies.
The initiative underscores the High Commission’s dedication to strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Botswana through educational cooperation.
(C) TPA2026
