IndiaCSR News Network
BHUBANESHWAR: Vedanta Limited, (formerly known as Sesa Sterlite Limited) has announced Odisha’s Young Achievers Scholarship Programme at a function held in Bhubaneswar. The merit-cum-means scholarship programme intends to subsidise the financial burden on the students intending to pursue graduate courses in medical, engineering and science disciplines.
On this occasion Sanjay Kumar Das Burma, Minister of State, Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare, Employment and Technical Education & Training graced as Chief Guest and Sananda Marandi, Deputy Speaker of Odisha State Assembly, B. K. Patnaik, President Vedanta University Project, Asoka Das, Vice Chancellor, Utkal University and Abhijit Pati, CEO – Aluminium, Vedanta Ltd. joined as Guest of honour during the event.
As per the scheme100 scholarships will be awarded every year under the programme. Students opting for Graduate courses in Medical or Engineering will be awarded an amount of Rs. 30,000 per year for 5 and 4 years respectively. Students opting for Bachelor’s Degree in Science will be awarded Rs. 20,000 per year for three years.
Das Burma said it’s a noble initiative by a corporate which will help a number of students aspiring for higher studies. He expected more such initiatives to come from the organization to help the State’s education system.
In a thoughtful step, Vedanta Scholarship Scheme opts for maintaining a gender parity by ensuring that 50% of the scholarships are reserved for girl students apart from 22.5% of the scholarships reserved for students belonging to SC/ST. Students with more than 70% (60% for SC/ST) marks in Class 12th Board examination can apply for the Scholarship. Applications will be subject to the economic criteria that annual parental income of the student should not exceed Rs.2.50 lakhs.
Abhijit Pati, CEO – Aluminium, Vedanta Limited, said, “The Company has been promoting and patronizing quality primary education in the vicinity of its plants at Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh through initiatives like Vedanta Vidyarthi Vikas Yojna and Vedanta DAV International School. For the first time we have come up with a pan-Odisha initiative to help meritorious students from economically weaker sections pursue graduate courses. We expect the initiative to go a long way in helping the youth of Odisha to pursue their dreams.”
B. K. Patnaik said, “A thought would always come why Vedanta has come up with the Scholarship at such time. In my opinion, any time is an opportune time. The scheme looks forward to promote girls education by reserving 50% scholarships for girls and dedicating the scholarship for economically weaker section of the society. I expect it to be appreciated by the people of Odisha”
Marandi said Vedanta’s initiatives for promoting education in the tribal areas is a great effort and Company should continue such good work.
Other dignitaries on the dais appreciated the efforts of Vedanta towards promoting students from weaker economic section of the society to excel further in their studies.
Students can obtain details of the Scholarship Programme and application procedure online at the web link:
http://vedantaaluminium.com/VedantaScholarship2015
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