The United States and India on Sunday celebrated the 70th anniversary of the prestigious Fulbright exchange program which has awarded scholarships to over 11,000 Indians and Americans so far. US Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce who had flown in from Washington to attend the gala event in New Delhi, said, the Fulbright program, created by Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946, was designed to increase mutual understanding among the people of the United States and the people of other countries. It has now grown into the premier US international educational exchange program in the world.

“When Senator J. William Fulbright introduced the legislation establishing this program, he said it was about leadership, learning, and empathy between countries,” Royce said. “Tonight’s celebration is a testament to the importance and longevity of Senator Fulbright’s vision.”