Once in a while a news item* appears which uplifts your spirits. This is
one such time. Whosoever thought of this scheme deserves our kudos. Read
on.



Dr D.C.Misra

October 26, 2007

________________________________________________________________________

*A lakh scholarships of Rs 1 lakh each



Modalities Of Selecting Meritorious Students From Science Stream Yet To
Be Decided



Rajat Guha & Rajeev Jayaswal NEW DELHI




IF YOU figure in the list of meritorious 1 lakh students, you will get
Rs 1 lakh annually for pursuing university education in science stream
and the amount may continue up to five years. The government is planning
to institute scholarships to encourage education in science and
technology. While modalities of selecting meritorious students are yet
to be worked out, it is proposed that the future scientists would be
caught young in the 12th class itself.



The financial assistance would be given to such students while pursuing
BSc and MSc courses. "We have proposed to give adequate financial
support to sufficient number of students to foster talent in scientific
research. The government is considering to award 1 lakh scholarships of
Rs 1 lakh each. Meritorious students pursuing university education in
science stream would be eligible for the award. The proposal is expected
to be incorporated in the 11th Five-Year Plan, and expected to be
announced in the forthcoming National Development Council (NDC)
meeting," a source in the government said.



It is understood that the proposed scholarship would be modelled on the
line of INSPIRE programme mooted by the department of science &
technology (DST). INSPIRE stands for innovations in science pursuit for
inspired research. The programme aims at reaching out to the young
talent and help them to pursue their interest in science.



"It is also an intervention devised to redress low entry of students
into science and technology streams," a DST source said. After the
programme would get a formal approval, the selection procedure for the
meritorious students would be announced.
The scholarship is proposed to be instituted to strengthen India's
position as global knowledge hub and maintain the leadership position
which it enjoys currently, an official said. There have been some
concerns as most of the students were opting for management degrees and
moved away from undertaking research to the multi national companies
(MNCs).



It is expected that the budget allocation of scientific departments
would be enhanced significantly in the 11th Plan. The plan allocation
has been doubled from about Rs 12,000 crore in the 9th Plan to about Rs
25,000 crore in the 10 Plan and it is planned to increased it
approximately four fold in the 11th Plan, official sources said.



(Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi, October 26, 2007, Friday, p-10,
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/daily/skins/ET/navigator.asp?login=drdcmi\
sra, accessed: October 26, 2007).





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