The government of India awards scholarships each year to commemorate the invaluable contribution of the gallant freedom fighters towards Liberation of Bangladesh.
A function was organised by the High Commission of India on Tuesday at its Chancery for scholarship distribution to the selected candidates.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan attended the function as the chief guest and GOC-in-C Eastern Command from Indian Army Lt Gen MM Naravane was the guest of honour on the occasion.
Senior officials from Bangladesh Armed Forces and the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, and freedom fighters also attended the programme.
Two schemes are concurrently being implemented and till now, 12,957 students have been awarded scholarships totalling Tk 23.66 crore, said the Indian High Commission.
The ‘Muktijoddha Scholarship Scheme’ was introduced by the government of India in 2006 for the descendants of freedom fighters.
Under the old scheme, scholarships were awarded to higher secondary and undergraduate level students.
Some 11,336 students have been benefited under this scheme so far and an amount of Tk 17.42 crore has been utilised for this purpose.
Under the new scholarship scheme, ‘Notun India Bangladesh Maitree Muktijoddha Sontan Scholarship Scheme’, a total of 10,000 students will be awarded scholarships over the next five years and Tk 35 crore will be utilised for this purpose.