A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on April 28 at the Chief Secretary’s Conference Hall in Kohima between the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation and the Department of School Education, Government of Nagaland to implement the Vidyadhan Scholarship program for indigenous students, with priority for those completing Class 10 in government schools. The five-year agreement takes effect from May 1, 2026, and runs until March 31, 2031, and is extendable by mutual consent.
The MoU was signed by Pankaj Triparti, Principal Consultant of the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation, and Razouseyi Vese, Director of School Education, in the presence of Advisor to School Education Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary Kevileno Angami, and Jacob Sukumar, Manager, Operations, Sarojini Damodaran Foundation, among other officials.
Under the scheme, selected students will receive financial assistance to pursue higher secondary education and continue through graduation, subject to sustained academic performance and compliance with program guidelines. Pankaj Triparti said the program “adopts a holistic development approach,” and stressed that selection involves tests, interviews and home visits to verify genuine need. Beneficiaries will also receive ongoing mentoring, career guidance, life-skills training and exposure to opportunities that boost employability.
Financial support under Vidyadhan will amount to Rs 10,000 per year for Grade 11 and 12 students. Degree-level scholarships will range from Rs 25,000 to Rs 75,000 per year depending on the course pursued. The foundation will also facilitate internships and soft-skills development as part of its mentoring component.
The Sarojini Damodaran Foundation, established by Kumari Shibulal (Managing Trustee) and S.D. Shibulal (co‑founder and former CEO of Infosys), was set up to support students from economically disadvantaged families who are at risk of dropping out after Class 10. Triparti said the program began in 1999 in Kerala and is now implemented in 22 states and union territories across India, with the organization citing more than 78,000 scholarships and benefits reaching over 15,000 students through Vidyadhan.
Jacob Sukumar noted the programme’s funding model, saying the foundation raises money from sponsors and “we don’t take any administrative charges from the donors. The entire amount that you sponsor directly goes to the students at home.” Addressing the media, Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome called the timing “opportune” given recent matriculation results, and described the scholarship as unique for Nagaland — a largely agrarian state with limited industry — because it opens pathways beyond local constraints and supports students through higher education, including medical and engineering courses.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/mou-on-vidyadhan-scholarship-signed-for-govt-school-students-in-nagaland
Category: Nagaland
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Publish Date: 2026-04-28 23:40:00
