Mumbai, Mar 14 Slum kid actors of Oscar winning film 'Slumdog Millionaire' Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, were awarded scholarships for free education.

The initiative by a self-help group called 'We Love India' in association with D.Y. Patil Institute of Engineering and Technology, will entitle these poor kids to free education up to graduation level or any other technical degree.

Stressing on the need for education, Bollywood director Subhash Ghai said every rich personality in the country should support the cause of free education for such poor kids.

"By initiating this project of providing free education to poor kids, we have sparked a movement. Education for poor kids is very important and every rich and influential achiever should do something for providing education to these kids," said Ghai.

Expressing happiness at the opportunity of getting free education, Ismail said, "I want to make full use of this opportunity and study hard and when I grow up I want to become a successful actor like Salman Khan."

The two child actors are also to receive new homes from the Indian authorities after the small budget movie swept the Oscars.

Ali currently lives in a tiny hovel in the same rubbish strewn slum near railway tracks where Ismail lives.

The child stars were feted like true celebrities in India after they returned home, post Oscars. (ANI)