The Indian government has extended a scholarship scheme for Freedom Fighter descendants of Bangladesh for another five years, beginning in the academic year 2022-2023.
The “Muktijoddha Scholarship Scheme” will benefit a total of 1,497 students this year under the renewed scheme in line with India's commitment to higher education, said an official release on Monday.
The Indian government launched the scheme in 2006 in commemoration of the Freedom Fighters of the Liberation War.
Scholarships of a total amount of Tk24,000 were awarded to the higher secondary students for four years and Tk10,000 per year to undergraduate-level students for two years.
The awarding of these scholarships even during the Covid-19 pandemic was associated with the visit of the Indian prime minister and the president to Bangladesh.
It exemplifies the commitment of both the Indian government and the Indian people towards their friendship with their brethren in Bangladesh, the release added.
The scholarship scheme was re-launched in April 2017 during the visit of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India.
As of now, a total of 19,082 students were benefited under this scheme, and an amount of Tk44.99 crore was utilized for this purpose.
The Liberation War Affairs Ministry extended its support to identify and select the students from across the country.
The scholarship amounts would be credited directly to the bank accounts of the students using the Direct Bank Transfer method.