Live Correspondent: The Indian government has extended the  'Muktijoddha Scholarship Scheme' for Freedom Fighter descendants of Bangladesh for another five years, beginning in the academic year 2022-23.

The new scheme will benefit a total of 1,497 students this year under the renewed scheme in line with India's commitment towards higher education, said an official release here today. The Indian government launched 'Muktijoddha Scholarship Scheme' in 2006 in commemoration of the heroic freedom fighters of the Liberation War.

Scholarships of a total amount of Taka 24,000 were awarded to the higher secondary students for four-year and Taka 10,000 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 Taka 44.99 crore were utilised for this purpose. The Liberation War Affairs Ministry extended their 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 Direct Bank Transfer method.

Dhaka, 28 March (campuslive24.com)//bic