Bangalore: 11 students from Nepal joined the ECHO Hotel Management Diploma Program on Tuesday as a part of rehabilitation program for the earthquake affected students in Nepal.

Archbishop of Bangalore Bernard Moras inaugurated the course at the ECHO centre in Kamanahalli.

He said that many of the disasters are man made and we must work towards protecting the nature. He wished the students good future despite earthquake in Nepal..

As a major help for the earthquake affected Nepal, an education program for higher studies was designed by  Bangalore Cares for Nepal.

Education of the children is one of the most affected areas in the earthquake affected Nepal. About 8000 schools were destroyed in the April 25th earthquake.

Most of the children who completed their +2 are not able to go for further studies since their hoses are destroyed and their parents cant afford to send to them to colleges. 11 such students from two villages were brought to Bangalore for the one year Diploma program. Another batch of students will join the Holy Cross Nursing School near Mysore in August.

The expenses for the one year program is about Rs. 60,000. Itis shared by Bangalore Cares for Nepal, Echo and Shanthi, an organisation in Nepal. The travel expenses are taken care of by the families of the students.

Fr George Kannanthanam presented about the different activities undertaken by Bangalore Cares for Nepal for relief and rehabilitation in Nepal. 2800 tarpaulins were distributed, 450 temporary tin roof houses were constructed and about 800 students were helped to go back to school. A group of 10 volunteers were sent to work for relief in Nepal. He explained that the next plan is to build permanent houses. A report of the activities in Nepal was released by the Archbishop.

Fr Antony, Director of ECHO, spoke about the various rehabilitation programs undertaken by the organisation to mainstream the children who are in conflict with law and now for the students from Nepal.

Mr Jose, Director of AIFO organisation that has been supporting the efforts through raising funds for the program was also present.