TORONTO, April 17, 1997: A $250,000 endowment fund has been set up at York University to support student bursaries which will promote studies and research in the arts, society, and/or culture of India.

A reception will be held today, Thursday, April 17, in honour of the establishment of the Nirvan Bhavan Awards in India Studies -- including undergraduate scholarships and a graduate fellowship -- for pursuing studies in the arts, society and culture of India. The reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Harry Crowe Room, Atkinson College, York University.

Nirvan Bhavan is a non-profit, charitable organization established in the late 1970s. One of its aims is to increase awareness and appreciation of the arts, society, and culture of India in the Metro Toronto area. Since the organization was formed, it has also been striving to raise sufficient funds establish a cultural centre for people of East Indian origin in the local community.

The Nirvan Bhavan Awards for pursuing studies in the Arts, Society and Culture of India have been made possible through a grant of $83,333 from Nirvan Bhavan, along with matching funds from the provincial government's Ontario Student Opportunity Fund and a similar matching grant from York University, enabling Nirvan Bhavan to establish a quarter-million dollar endowment.

The Nirvan Bhavan Scholarships will be given annually to two undergraduate students at York University in the Faculty of Fine Arts, the Faculty of Arts, and the projected India Studies program at York University. Each scholarship is valued at $3,000 each, and each year, at least one award must go to a Fine Arts student. All recipients must be enrolled in a course or courses dealing with the arts, society, and/or culture of India.

The Nirvan Bhavan Graduate Fellowship will be given annually to one entering graduate student at York University who is engaged in studies/research on the arts, society, and/or culture of India. It is valued at $6,500.

York University is located at 4700 Keele Street at Steeles Ave.

For more information, call:

Mary Ann Horgan
Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100 ext. 22086
YU/039/97