In a significant boost to higher education aspirations, a total of 400 students from Kendrapada district were awarded scholarships on Sunday. The financial aid, amounting to a substantial Rs 4 lakh, was distributed by the Banchhanidhi Das & Srimati Devi Charitable Trust.
A Legacy of Support from Across the Oceans
The scholarship program has been instituted by Debendra Kumar Das, a 79-year-old professor emeritus of mechanical engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the United States. He established the initiative in the loving memory of his parents, Banchhanidhi Das and Srimati Devi. The event was organized in Kendrapada, bringing hope and opportunity to local students.
A noteworthy aspect of this year's distribution was the strong focus on empowering young women. An impressive 85% of the scholarship recipients were girls, highlighting the trust's commitment to promoting female education. The beneficiaries are currently enrolled in various colleges across the Kendrapada region.
Dreams Fueled by Scholarship Support
For many recipients, the scholarship is more than just financial help; it's a stepping stone towards ambitious career goals. Itishree Rout, a Plus II student from Kendrapada Higher Secondary School, shared her aspiration to become an IPS officer. Hailing from Deypur village near Kendrapada, Itishree draws inspiration from several villagers who have served as Army, police, and forest officers.
Similarly, the allure of uniformed services motivates Pallabi Mohapatra of Kendrapada Evening College, who aims to join the Border Security Force (BSF). She plans to utilize the scholarship money to support her ongoing Plus III studies. Another recipient, Monalisa, a second-year Arts student, dreams of becoming a teacher. She was one of seven students from her institute to receive the award.
Vision for Community Upliftment
Bhuvan Mohan Das, the head of the trust and a nephew of founder Debendra Kumar Das, clarified the core mission behind the scholarships. He stated that the primary objective is to provide crucial support to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, enabling them to pursue their education without financial strain.
However, the vision extends beyond individual success. "We expect them to support the upliftment of their village when they achieve their career goals," Bhuvan Mohan Das remarked. This statement underscores a powerful cycle of giving back, where educated youth are encouraged to contribute to the development of their local communities.
The event also served as a platform to honor two distinguished individuals for their contributions. The trust felicitated Nrusingha Charan Tripathy, a retired high school teacher from Baladevjew High School in Kendrapada, and Harihar Kanungo, a noted researcher of Jagannath culture.
This annual scholarship distribution by the Banchhanidhi Das & Srimati Devi Charitable Trust continues to be a beacon of hope, directly investing in the future of Kendrapada's youth and, by extension, the region's socio-economic progress.
