On July 12, 1998, The Fiji Times wrote about a young student who was awarded a scholarship to study at Pune in India.
Evelina Ratu, a sixth former at Sigatoka Methodist, was awarded an Indian Government scholarship by the Fiji Girmit Council.
Evelina had applied for the scholarship and a panel of selectors, comprising school principals from the Western Division, chose her and seven other students.
Fiji Girmit Council secretary Suriva Deep Singh said Evelina’s name was chosen after she fulfilled the required criteria.
“Evelina’s selection is unique because she becomes the first iTaukei student to be given the scholarship since the 1987 military coup,” said Mr Singh.
Evelina flew out to India with the other students the following day to complete their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in various fields, including engineering.
The Indian Government gives out 14 scholarships to Fiji students annually as part of its support for education in Fiji.
