By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 29: A total of 88 students from different schools across Meghalaya were awarded scholarships by the Vidyadhan Foundation recently.
Prior to receiving the financial support, the successful candidates participated in a four-day residential soft skills training programme at the Bosco Integrated Development Society (BIDS).
Managed by Fr James Thyrniang, BIDS is aimed at empowering youths by providing a platform to showcase their talents, discover their passions and ultimately secure professions of their choice.
The scholarships were distributed by BSF DIG Amitabh Roy and The Shillong Times Editor Patricia Mukhim.
Speaking at the event, DIG Roy highlighted communication as a vital life skill and advised the youths to “take up Science because there is great advantage in it”.
“You can also pair up your Science subjects with Humanities such as Economics or Commerce. Also never lose hope and give up. Continue to work and success will be yours,” he said.
Mukhim, on the other hand, praised the recipients of the scholarships, and described them as the leaders of today rather than the future, while remarking that this is the age of Gen Z.
She also urged teachers and mentors to help students identify their aptitudes so they can excel in their specific fields of interest.
Highlighting the broader educational efforts in Meghalaya, Fr James Thyrniang shared that Don Bosco institutions have adopted 48 schools previously run by the government in Jaintia Hills and Mairang. This intervention has seen class enrolments surge from merely six to ten students to nearly 80 per class today.
He encouraged the scholarship winners to pay it forward by eventually helping others who cannot afford school or college education once they succeed in life.
Vidyadhan, an initiative of the Bengaluru-based Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives (SFPI), mentors and funds meritorious students from economically disadvantaged families. The programme offers scholarships ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 60,000 per year from Grade 11 through to graduation, removing the worry of educational costs. Alongside financial aid, it provides residential training, career orientation, employability skills, and online coaching for competitive exams.
The platform allows individuals and corporate entities to facilitate transformation through education, either by donating funds, dedicating time to mentor or creating employment opportunities. The organisation’s holistic approach is summarised in its catchword: “Your contribution can give wings to the dreams of a brilliant student and transform lives.”
The foundation specifically targets students in higher education to combat India’s low Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 27.1%, which remains well below global averages.
Addressing this gap, the Vidyadhan founders noted, “Over the past 20 years, we have dedicated ourselves to alleviating the challenges which result in this low GER.”
