Jan 06 2015 : Mirror (Pune)
Special scholarships for NE students announced
Pallavi Smart TWEET @ThePuneMirror
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Another step byy UGC to encourage higher education in the Seven Sisters, provide equal opportunities, encourage students to study across the nation
After asking universities to include history, culture and literature in the curriculum; the University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced special scholarships for economically backward classes of North East (NE). The objective is to encourage higher education in that region and provide equal opportunities and encourage them to study across the nation.However, organisations of northeastern Indian communities active in the city feel that more needs to be done by the government apart from financial help.
Last week, a UGC-issued circular declared fellowships for needy students from the NE region.
“The special scholarship scheme is titled Ishan Uday and will begin from the next academic year,“ stated the circular. “10,000 fresh scholarships will be given every year for general degree courses and professional courses -including medical and paramedical -and if the applications are more than the available scholarships, students will be chosen on the basis of merit.“
Dr Niraj Meitram, secretary of the Association of Manipuri Diaspora, Pune, said, “Financial support for needy students is a good gesture.But this is just one part. There are other more important aspects to be looked into to help youngsters from the NE. Their security is of utmost importance which can be achieved by encouraging the feeling of inclusiveness in them by changing the attitude of others. However, if this first step is taken, we can hope that further steps of our welfare will also be taken soon.“
Anthony Moirangthem, executive member of the North East Community Organisa tion, Pune (NECOP), said, “Relationship building between youngsters from North East India and those from the rest of the country is more important. There should be students' exchange programmes especially designed to encourage students from different parts of the country to visit the North East to understand their culture, livelihood, etc. It is important to make the rest of India believe that North East is part of India.“
Rip Bagra, convener of Arunachal Pradesh Students Welfare Association, said, “There are so many things that we need to be prepared for when we leave our rooms, starting from questioning our nationality to our dressing and ways of lifestyle. I blame the system for this. We study history of so many different parts of the country; we know historical personalities from different states but nothing about North East India. Why were there no efforts made by the system to include this in the school curriculum?“
Last week, a UGC-issued circular declared fellowships for needy students from the NE region.
“The special scholarship scheme is titled Ishan Uday and will begin from the next academic year,“ stated the circular. “10,000 fresh scholarships will be given every year for general degree courses and professional courses -including medical and paramedical -and if the applications are more than the available scholarships, students will be chosen on the basis of merit.“
Dr Niraj Meitram, secretary of the Association of Manipuri Diaspora, Pune, said, “Financial support for needy students is a good gesture.But this is just one part. There are other more important aspects to be looked into to help youngsters from the NE. Their security is of utmost importance which can be achieved by encouraging the feeling of inclusiveness in them by changing the attitude of others. However, if this first step is taken, we can hope that further steps of our welfare will also be taken soon.“
Anthony Moirangthem, executive member of the North East Community Organisa tion, Pune (NECOP), said, “Relationship building between youngsters from North East India and those from the rest of the country is more important. There should be students' exchange programmes especially designed to encourage students from different parts of the country to visit the North East to understand their culture, livelihood, etc. It is important to make the rest of India believe that North East is part of India.“
Rip Bagra, convener of Arunachal Pradesh Students Welfare Association, said, “There are so many things that we need to be prepared for when we leave our rooms, starting from questioning our nationality to our dressing and ways of lifestyle. I blame the system for this. We study history of so many different parts of the country; we know historical personalities from different states but nothing about North East India. Why were there no efforts made by the system to include this in the school curriculum?“
