Maestro Amaradeva gives Eagle scholarship winners a recipe for success - January 2006
The need to respect one’s parents and teachers was stressed by Pandit W D Amaradeva, Chief Guest at the Eagle Higher Education Scholarship benefits presentation to 25 beneficiaries, held recently at the Trans Asia Hotel.
"When you are young, your parents guide you and look after you. When you start growing up, your teachers look after you. You should be grateful to both parents and teachers for the rest of your life", he advised.
Pandit Amaradeva identified three vital qualities which someone striving for excellence should possess. The first is one’s inborn talent. "Excelling at the Year 5 Scholarship Examination is partly a result of being gifted when you were born,” he told the gathering which comprised of Eagle scholarship winners who have now qualified to enjoy the benefits of the Eagle scholarship scheme with the entrance into the Advanced Level.
The second quality, according to Pandit Amaradeva, is the need to keep company with the learned. Associating with the erudite helps one to gather knowledge and move on the path to excellence, he said. The third is the effort you should put into practicing what you learn", he emphasized. "Even at my age I spend at least five hours playing the violin regularly, to keep in touch. This is very important if you want to do well."
Pandit Amaradeva commended the students for "moving towards reaching excellence under the wings of the Eagle."
In his welcome address, Eagle Insurance Company's CEO Deepal Sooriyaarachchi said that the Eagle Higher Education Scholarship scheme is a symbol of the Company's commitment to excellence. Explaining the objectives of the scheme, he emphasized that the sole criterion for selecting the winners is their emergence as the best in the district at the Year Five scholarship examination. "There are no strings attached whatsoever. The winners are selected purely on merit." he said.
Reminding those present that when the winners were announced, Eagle Insurance also recognized the teachers and the principals as well, he acknowledged that this, recognition was a sign of gratitude for their role in guiding the students towards success. He also pointed out that the scholarship scheme acts as a bridge to link students from all parts of the country.
The Eagle fund which was initiated with Rs 10 million twelve years ago, stands today at Rs 34 million under the management of Eagle NDB Fund Management, a subsidiary of Eagle Insurance.
Since the inauguration of the Eagle Higher Education Scholarship scheme in 1995, 311 students have benefited so far. Each student receives Rs 1000 monthly from the time they enter the Advanced level until they complete their university career. This monthly sum adds up to anything from Rs 60,000 to Rs 80,000 per student depending on the duration of their course of study. Those who choose not to enter university are given a lump sum of Rs 25,000 as a career starter.
