By Amelia Tan

NIKHAIL Ravichandar, 17, from India's Bishop Cotton Boys School wrapped a pashmina shawl on President S.R. Nathan on Thursday - gift which he brought all the way from Bangalore.

He was one of the 82 students leaders from 12 countries who lunched with the President at the Istana, a visit organised as part of the Hwa Chong Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Summit 2008.

The event was first organised in 2006 to allow student leaders from countries such as India, United Kingdom and Australia and Singapore, to network and foster links for future collaborations.

The students will visit companies, ministries and attend social events as part of the 10-day event, which started on Monday and ends on July 23.