Kolkata: Eastern India is under-represented in the largest US international exchange programme - the Fulbright Scholarship, according to the United States Educational Foundation in India (USEFI). "The total number of application for the Fulbright programme that we receive from eastern India is significantly less compared to the other three regions. We have noticed that people in this part of the country are more satisfied with their existing profile," USEFI regional officer and educational adviser Sunrit Mullick told.

He said: "Most of the candidates lack ambition. We have seen that they consider filling up applications forms a laborious job".

Mullick said there are about 85,000 Indian students in the US, making up almost 15 percent of the total number of foreign students.

According to regional statistics of the Fulbright programme available with the US Consulate here, only 71 aspirants were found eligible from the east since 2001, whereas western, northern and southern regions respectively contributed 459, 182 and 114 candidates in that period.

"We are conducting several outreach programmes targeted at students and professionals in the region", Mullick said, adding that USEFI used to receive about 200 applications every year from eastern India.

"In the other three regions we get nearly 400 applications every year", he said.

The Fulbright scholarship programme is considered one of the most prestigious worldwide, with students from 144 countries vying for the scholarships. IANS