FIJIAN students studying in India could not have asked for something sweeter than having their monthly allowance being subsidised by the Fiji government.
It was made possible when the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama agreed to increase the students' allowance.
This will see the Fiji government give an additional half of what the students are receiving per month from the Indian Government through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
While meeting most of the students from all over Fiji in New Delhi on Sunday evening, Commodore Bainimarama said he was really concerned with the difficulties they faced when studying abroad.
"I understand the problems you are facing," he told the students.
"In fact I made up my decision a few days ago after I was briefed of what you go through."
Commodore Bainimarama said the government would always ensure its people, 'especially the students', welfare were looked after.
The students shared their difficulties with Commodore Bainimarama saying at times they were hardly left with any money in their pockets as the cost of living in India was very high.
Mohammed Kutty, a former high school teacher who is pursuing his Bachelor of Law degree at University of Pune said the money problems faced by the students had a negative impact to their academic performance.
"What we are getting is very little, we really appreciate the decision made by our Prime Minister," he said.
"Most of us borrow from one another or rely from the money remitted from our families so we can survive."
"We really struggle every day and in some cases the allowance comes in very late."
"But this is good news," said Mr Kutty.
Fiji High Commission first secretary Alifereti Naioko said that he had raised the issue with the ICCR officials in New Delhi but was told that that amount was across the board for all the recipients of the scholarships including those from different countries like Mongolia, Tazakistan, Uzbekistan, Mauritius, Bangladesh, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Indonesia and Russia.
"ICCR can't increase their scholarships," he said.
Commodore Bainimarama said the difficulties faced by the students in India would make them stronger.
"I can say this will make you come out stronger when you leave from here," Commodore Bainimarama said.