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An orientation programme of Indus Towers Scholarship Programme for students with disabilities was held at Japfu Hotel in Kohima on March 7, where 19 students with disabilities from Nagaland were felicitated for scholarship awards.
“Furthering its commitment to transform the lives of communities by improving their socio-economic conditions, Indus Towers, in its seventh year of partnership with Shishu Sarothi for the said scholarship programme, is offering scholarships to 180 students in 2022-23 across India towards academics/professional and coaching for employment-oriented examinations,” an update stated.
Of the total 180 students, 162 are from the Northeast Region while 18 slots are reserved for students with disabilities from outside the Northeast, but who are studying in government recognised institutions of national importance in the country.
The Indus Towers Scholarship Programme, a CSR initiative of Indus Towers Ltd., is being implemented by Shishu Sarothi.
Seema Jangid, programme manager, Indus Towers Scholarship Program (NE Region), Shishu Sarothi, in her address, gave a background of the education scenario of children with disabilities.
Jangid said as per the recent figures released by the WHO, 16% of the world population are people living with disabilities and that children with disabilities rarely progress beyond primary school and only 9% complete secondary education.
She also disclosed that 45% of people with disabilities are illiterate and about 62.9% of people with disabilities between three to 35 years have ever attended regular school in India.
The programme manager also expressed gratitude to the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities for the constant support in reaching out to deserving students and Nagaland State Disability Forum (NSDF) for their assistance and support towards implementation of the programme as partners and point of coordination for the state of Nagaland.
Circle CEO, NE Assam, Indus Towers, Rajender Gurung, said that “At Indus, CSR is an integral part of how we do business . . . and our CSR partnership with Shishu Sarothi for the last seven years, to serve the North East of India, is a matter of pride and fulfillment for us and we remain committed.”
State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Nagaland, Diethono Nakhro, encouraged the student scholars to make the most of the opportunities. Nakhro also recounted the impact of the scholarship programme since its inception in 2016 and how it has helped students in the region to build a secure career for themselves.
Director, Social Welfare Department, Govt. of Nagaland, Tosheli Zhimomi, congratulated the scholars from Nagaland and commended Indus Towers Ltd. for the noble initiative and the seamless implementation of the scholarship programme by Shishu Sarothi.
The felicitation ceremony of the selected scholars was followed by an induction to orient the students about accessing the scholarship through the portal and information related thereto, the update stated.