Kerala has given lots of memorable experiences to Seekkuge Viraji Dineshika. The 23-year-old Sri Lankan student is pursuing BTech at the National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode. Dineshika is in love with the traditional customs of Kerala and she had a lot of fun during Onam celebrations.
“Being away from home wasn’t easy for me but I must thank the Keralites for helping me,” says Dineshika. “When I was applying for NIT, I wanted to join the Kozhikode institute. I was lucky to get admission here.”
In the three years that she has been in God’s Own Country, Dineshika got plenty of opportunities to celebrate the unique festivals of Kerala and to taste its distinct dishes. “I love gobi manchurian, payasam, gulab jamun and unniappam but I hate sambhar,” says the winner of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarship.
“Indian hospitality is the best I’ve ever experienced. My classmates are generous and competitive but also helpful,” she says. “But I hate it when people say ‘northies’ and ‘mallus’. They’re derogatory.”
Dineshika has already visited Munnar, Coorg, Kodaikanal and Hoggenakal. “The only difference between Kerala and Sri Lanka is the food and language. The rest are all the same,” she adds. “I’ve even picked up Malayalam but can’t speak fluently. However, I can understand most of the things as I have a lot of Malayali friends.”
A film buff, she is also keen to watch Hindi movies. “I have been watching Hindi movies from my childhood and it has helped me speak Hindi. Hrithik Roshan is my favourite hero.”
She also likes to watch Malayalam movies and Prithviraj is her favourite. “My favourite Malayalam movie is In Harihar Nagar. I’m waiting to get the CD of To Harihar Nagar, the second part of the movie.”
Dineshika would love to work in India “but rules may not permit me. So I would have to return to Sri Lanka and work there for some years. Of course, I want to study further and I may come back here,” she says hopefully.
—sree@expressbuzz.com