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Betty Barkha, left, with her parents Gayatri Dutt, centre, and Birendra Dutt at the Indian Cultural Centre in Suva. Barkha will be travelling to India to pursue her Masters Degree in psychology. Picture: IVAMERE ROKOVESA
MORE people should study psychology, says a youth worker.
Betty Barkha, 21, travels to Osmania University in India next month on an Indian government scholarship to complete a Masters Degree in psychology.
She was a recipient of the youth leader prize at the inaugural Pride of Fiji Awards.
Ms Barkha said Fiji needed more people involved in clinical psychology.
"I hope to be involved in youth development work but more so in mental health development," she said.
"Also, I hope to promote psychology as a subject in Fiji.
"There is a need for people to study psychology and realise it is important for all of us."
Proud father and schoolteacher Birendra Dutt said Betty was the pride of her settlement, Saru, in Lautoka.
"She is the first from the settlement to move up and we are proud of her," he said.
"The people in our area have high expectations of her.
"We hope she comes back to help the community," said Mr Dutt.
Indian Cultural Centre director Dr Kamal Kishor Mishra said he was proud of the talented students in Fiji.
"Beti means daughter."
"She's the daughter of Fiji and India and we will take care of her," he said.