DHAKA, April 1, 2021 (BSS) – A total 2,000 students, who are the
descendents of Muktijoddhas will receive Indian scholarships this year.
Each year, the government of India awards scholarship to descendents of
Muktijoddhas to commemorate the invaluable contribution of Muktijoddhas
towards the Liberation War of Bangladesh. This year, 2,000 students are
receiving such scholarships, said a press release of High Commission of India
in Dhaka.
Bangladesh and India have a unique historical legacy. The relationship of
the two countries is deeply rooted in a shared culture, heritage, history and
geography. India attaches the highest importance to its friendship with
Bangladesh and is committed to work to support the national efforts of
Bangladesh for the betterment of their own people.
The award of these scholarships, even during the COVID-19 Pandemic, is in
furtherance to the visit of Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to
Bangladesh. It exemplifies the abiding commitment of the government and
people of India towards friendship with their brethren in Bangladesh, the
press release added.
The ‘Muktijoddha scholarship scheme’ was started by the government of
India in the year 2006 for the descendents of Muktijoddhas. Originally,
scholarships were awarded to Higher Secondary and Undergraduate level
students. Undergraduate students were awarded Taka 24,000 per year for four
years and higher secondary students were awarded Taka 10,000 per year for two
years.
The new scheme launched during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s
visit to India in April 2017, was to benefit 10,000 students from Bangladesh
over a period of five years. An amount of Taka 20,000 is to be given to
Higher Secondary and Taka 50,000 to Undergraduate category students, who are
direct descendents of Muktijoddhas, under the new scheme.
The government of India has sanctioned an amount of Taka 35 crore for both
schemes combined together. As of now, 17,082 students have benefited under
this scheme, and an amount of Taka 37.99 crore has been utilised for this
purpose.
This year 2,000 students (1,000 students from each HSC and UG level) have
been selected for scholarship under the scheme.
The Ministry of Liberation of War Affairs extended their immense support
to identify the students from all corner of Bangladesh. The scholarship
amount will be credited directly to the bank account of the student by the
method of Direct Bank Transfer (DBT).
From today onward, State Bank of India, Gulshan branch, will start
transferring the scholarship amount directly.