EDUCATION secretary John Swinney met female acid attack survivors yesterday in India.
Swinney met the women on the first day of a visit aimed at boosting Indian relations with Scotland.
Acid attack survivors and other domestic abuse victims staged a fashion show in India's Guntur region.
The event was a partnership between Glasgow Kelvin College and the Women’s Government Polytechnic of Guntur.
Swinney said it highlighted collaboration between Scottish and Indian colleges to provide opportunities for socially-disadvantaged groups.
He said: “This two-year partnership between Glasgow Kelvin College and the Government Polytechnic for Women in Guntur is evidence of the fantastic contribution Scotland’s colleges and their students can make at an international level.
"This collaboration is not just bringing benefits for the students involved, but also extending its reach to involve women in India who have survived domestic abuse and the all too sad reality of acid attacks.
"Working together, we can deliver social justice in India and in Scotland by exchanging skills and cultural experiences.”
Swinney is also meeting college, university and business representatives in Mumba and Delhi during the four day visit.
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