Tata Steel Foundation’s Jyoti Fellowship sprouting hopes among aspiring students

Every other day, Asha Naik of Guali village in Keonjhar district, thinks to quit studies and earn, to help her mother run the family.

The woe of the family doubled when her father’s poor health forced the latter to quit supervisor job some five years back, leaving her mother, Sulochana, to juggle housework and sporadic labor for sustenance. The ten-member family’s survival hinges on occasional farming and labor work.

The life of Asha, now a class-IX student of MuchuriaMalda School, took a hopeful turn when she seized the opportunity to appear for Tata Steel Foundation’s Jyoti Fellowship entrance test. Her success in securing the scholarship in 2022-2023 brought a glimmer of optimism to her family, grappling with the challenge of raising multiple children. Now, through the scholarship programme, Asha has found a lifeline amidst her struggles.

“For an aspiring student like me, continuing education is much more important than anything else. I am indebted to Tata Steel Foundation for every support it has extended to me”, said Asha.

Jagu Naik, a resident of Panduliposhi village and father of Archita Naik said, “Tata Steel Foundation’s this scholarship initiative is really praiseworthy, which helps many to pursue their dream career”.

So far, a total of 77 students belonging to scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) communities from Kalmang and Gandhalpada Project Division have received Jyoti Fellowship between 2020 and 2023. Till date, a sum of Rs 3,09,750/- has been awarded as scholarship among the students.

Jyoti Fellowship, offered by Tata Steel Foundation, is given to meritorious students to enable them to accomplish their educational and career aspirations. The Fellowship has come as a boon for the students of Kalmang and Gandhalpada Project Division who otherwise face many hurdles to complete their education. Lack of financial support has often led many students to drop out of schools and colleges.

Tata Steel’s Jyoti Fellowship programme extends financial help to students from Jamadoba, West Bokaro, East Singhbhum, West Singhbum and SeraikelaKharsawan district in the Kolhan region of Jharkhand and Sukinda, Bamnipal, Joda, Gopalpur, Kalinganagar, Gomardih, Katamati, Kalamang and Gandhalpada in Odisha.