Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren felicitates six tribal students

RANCHI: Chief minister Hemant Soren felicitated the first batch of six tribal students selected for enrolment to five universities in the United Kingdom for their higher studies under the state’s flagship scholarship scheme — Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda overseas scholarship — at a ceremony held at Project Building on Thursday.
British deputy high commissioner in Kolkata, Nick Low called the initiative ‘visionary’.
Under the programme, the government proposes to sponsor 10 tribal students per year, covering their tuition fees, journey fares and other expenses while they pursue their Masters or higher education in foreign universities.
The programme will be run by the department of ST, SC, minority and backward class welfare department. A total of 22 applications were received since the advertisement was floated in March this year and the final selection was done on September 6. The scholarship is planned for 22 courses in 15 universities.
Hailing the efforts of the department for making the scheme a reality, Soren said, “I hadn’t thought that we will be able to work out the modalities of the scheme so early since its announcement last year as there were lots of technicalities involved — coordination with different embassies, seeking clearances from various agencies and others. But I am happy that our officials have made it possible.”
He said that the idea behind the scheme is to provide students from tribal and marginalised community a chance to pursue studies in best universities across the globe. “Now that this scheme has begun, we will gradually expand it so that more and more students of different communities can take benefit. Initially, we have allocated Rs 10 crore for this scheme, but I have asked the department to ensure that the funds aren’t lapsed and unused amount is added to next year’s budget,” he said, adding that the reason this scheme was inspired by Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda is because he was the first tribal to study in Oxford about 100 years back.
“He went on to become a global icon and also played a crucial role in the making of our country’s Constitution. We run the schemes in the name of our icons and legendary figures so that the future generation knows about our great history,” he said, hoping that tribal students who will study in foreign universities will also help in better branding of the state.
Tribal affairs minister Champai Soren called it a start of a new chapter in Jharkhand’s history. “It’s a historic moment when the state is able to send its tribal students to study in foreign university on state’s expense. This will mark a new beginning,” he said.
In his letter to Soren, British deputy high commissioner in Kolkata, Nick Low said, “...I am truly delighted to convey my heartiest thanks and congratulations to the Government of Jharkhand for launching the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship Scheme for students belonging to tribal communities to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom.”
Praising the scheme, he said, “In the direction of bridging the inequalities of access in higher studies, I sincerely congratulate you for steering this visionary initiative. Your leadership and the efforts of the state government to drive this knowledge partnership between Jharkhand and the United Kingdom deserve the highest praise. The legacy of Jaipal Singh Munda, who started his Oxford BA programme a century ago will, I believe, now be taken forward both through this batch of scholars and subsequent beneficiaries.”
An official of the department said that five panel of professors from different universities were set up to scrutinise applications. “In the first phase, we interviewed 13 applicants and nine in the second phase. Of the 22 applications, six are selected now and remaining four will be picked up soon,” he said. Explaining the procedure for application, he said, “An applicant first had to apply in the university and after admission is confirmed, the state government issued scholarship letter which paved way for making of visa and other formalities.”
Those selected in the first batch students are Hercules Singh Munda (School of Oriental & African Studies, University of London for MA in linguistics), Akanksha Mary Balmuchu (MSc climate change science and management, Loughborough University), Anjana Pratima Dungdung (University of Warwick, MSc international relations), Dinesh Bhagat (University of Sussex for MSc in climate change, development and policy), Priya Murmu (MA in creative writing and writing industries in Loughborough University), Ajitesh Murmu (MArch-bio-integrated design in University College London —The Barlett School of Architecture). All will leave for higher studies this month end.