songs , have been very popular in Afghanistan . The classical work of Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore ’ s ‘ Kabuliwala ’ has connected Indians with the honest and large-hearted Afghans .
The remnants of Buddhist sites in central Bamyan province points to a shared Buddhist culture . Apart from these , there are four Gurudwaras and the two temples in Kabul .
One of the Indian priorities in rebuilding Afganistan has been the restoration and strengthening of its cultural heritage and institutions . In fact , India has been actively engaged in restoring cultural sites which include Storay Palace in Kabul and also provides support to the Afghan National Institute of Music .
Medical Tourists from Afghanistan to India
Close proximity , affordable and quality treatment are attracting many Afghans to choose India as their destination for medical treatment . The number of medical tourists from Afghanistan stood at 27,505 in 2015 and 61,231 in 2016 . Though the number declined to 55,681 in 2017 , it is expected to rise again in 2018 .
The medical visas for Afghans were introduced in 2005 after which there has been an increase in the number of patients coming to India . Even the hospitals in India are seeking to tap the new revenue stream through introducing services which are friendly to the Afghan patients . Many hospitals have started providing information on their website in Dari and Pashto . In addition , there are separate payment and service desks for Afghans . To give an friendly ambience and feel of ‘ comfort of home ’, the hospitals in India are offering prayer rooms , Halal food as well as Afghan cuisine . Furthermore , free interpreter services are provided to them by most of the renowned hospitals in India .
As mentioned above , one of the main reason for India emerging as a medical hub for the Afghan patients is its low cost of treatment ( only a tenth of the price as compared to other developed countries like Britain or USA ).
The medical visas for Afghans were introduced in 2005 after which there has been an increase in the number of patients coming to India . Even the hospitals in India are seeking to tap the new revenue stream through introducing services which are friendly to the Afghan patients .
Indeed , India has become the most sought-after destination for the joint replacement surgeries ; liver and bone marrow transplants ; spine and brain surgeries ; heart , kidney and cancer treatments ; and also in-vitro fertilization .
In India , a hip or knee replacement surgery can be done at a cost of Rs . 3.5 lakhs while in countries like USA and UK , it may cost 35 and 15 lakhs respectively . Similarly , a cardiovascular surgery in India may cost as low as 4-5 lakhs while in the US , the same surgery may cost a whopping 80 lakhs . Moreover , India maintains a better record in saving lives during such surgeries as the mortality rate is below 0.5 to 0.7 percent ; in the USA it is a lot higher at 2 to 2.5 percent . The dental costs in the country come at a fraction of the treatment cost in advanced countries . This attracts a number of dental foreign patients constituting 10 percent of the total medical visitors .
Indian Scholarships to Afghan Students
Indian Council for Cultural Relations ( ICCR ), an autonomous body under the administrative control of Ministry of External Affairs , provides 1,000 scholarships to Afghan students for pursuing undergraduate , postgraduate , and doctoral courses through Indian Universities . The scholarship covers most of the popular courses including economics , physics , chemistry , and business administration among others .
The tuition fees , accommodation apart from the limited living allowance are part of the Scholarship Scheme . Airfare is to be borne by the students themselves .
Scholarship under the Scheme of ‘ Propagation of Hindi Abroad ’
Under this programme , scholarships are offered to Afghan nationals at Kendriya Hindi Sansthan , Agra , the biggest international centre of Hindi teaching in the world . Here , foreign students are given training in Hindi teaching through modern techniques by well-qualified teachers .
ICCR Special Scholarship Scheme in the field of Dance , Music and Fine Arts :
Under this programme , there is no quota of scholarship slots earmarked for any country . However , depending upon the vacancies in scholarships , one to two deserving candidates are considered for learning dance , music , and fine arts . The Indian music and films , which are very much liked in Afghanistan , can act as a new bridge in the relationship between two countries .
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 9 • September 2018 , Noida • 83