Shillong, Nov 11: Twenty students with disabilities, including five from Meghalaya, were awarded scholarships as a part of Saksham, the flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme of Indus Towers.
The Indus Towers Scholarship Award, implemented by Guwahati-based Shishu Sarothi, was organised yesterday at Shishu Sarothi Centre for Rehabilitation & Training for Multiple Disability in Guwahati.
The program focuses on fostering inclusion by providing scholarships for academic, professional, vocational, and skill-based education at recognised institutions across India. It aims to create pathways for persons with disabilities to integrate into mainstream education and employment.
Secretary to the Chief Minister, Government of Tripura Dr. Pradeep Kr. Chakraborty shared insightful reflections drawn from his extensive administrative experience. Citing his experiences as a former Director of Census Operations, he said many families hesitate to disclose the incidence of disability due to the social stigma, and hoped that with greater awareness and efforts at inclusion and as individuals with disabilities are confidently stepping forward and making remarkable achievements.
“A scholarship does more than fund education — it fuels dreams, builds confidence, and creates opportunities that can change the course of a student’s life,” he remarked.
Shishu Sarothi Executive Director Ketaki Bardalai said programmes like these, especially in the Northeast, are vital for ensuring equal access to opportunities for persons with disabilities.
After the award ceremony, the scholars were also oriented on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, to educate them about their legal rights to support their educational and professional journeys. They were also taken through a formal induction process and told how to use the scholarship portal.
