Women On Top

Updated on: Saturday, September 24, 2011

Enlightenment, empowerment and emancipation-these are the logical outcomes of a process that is initiated by the most important of all-education. The final selection interviews of the short-listed candidates from eastern India for the Fair & Lovely Scholarships 2011 at The Park were a demonstration of this fact. The scholarships are aimed at supporting girls from economically challenged rural backgrounds from all over India in the field of higher education.

The distinguished panelists for the Kolkata round on September 21 included Barun Chanda, actor, Abhijit Das Gupta, documentary filmmaker, Nilanjana Chakraborty, jewellery designer, Dr G B Nair, director, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases and Gopinath Ghosh, educationist. “Some of them have a crying need, there are students who are very needy and these stipends may be a game changer for them,” commented Chanda.

In its ninth year, the Fair & Lovely Scholarships are awarded to women on the basis of their financial need, academic brilliance and the ambition to make a difference, not only in their own lives but to society as well. Scholarships of up to one lakh are awarded to the deserving candidates. The short-listed applicants from the seven zones across India are interviewed by panelists, drawn from different walks of life, in order to gauge their aptitude and ability. Based on their recommendations, the Foundation takes the final call.

Speaking on the experience, G B Nair said, “It was a big eye-opener for me. The foundation is doing an outstanding job to perpetuate education.” Das Gupta commented, “It was heartening to meet these some of the girls who had such steely determination. All they need is proper guidance.” Nilanajana concurred, “Rural Bengal needs a boost to its educational system. As for the girls, communication skills need improvement, knowledge of English has to be augmented and proper career counselling made available to them. Education of the girl child is a must.”

The girls were assessed on the basis of their socio-economic state of affairs, financial conditions, determination to get ahead and concrete future plans. Bulbul Mohanto, student of Physic Honours from Bankura said, “The scholarship will be highly beneficial for me, I want to do my masters and then doctoral studies in Physics, then pursue research if possible.” Bulbul’s father is a small-time farmer with a meagre family income.

Women On Top

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