NCP rebel Ajit Pawar has decided to set up scholarship for students from the Maratha and Kunbi (Marathas in Vidarbha region) communities to study abroad.
This was his first decision within a day of his joining the Eknath Shinde-led coalition government and assuming Deputy Chief Minister’s office.
The government’s scholarship scheme is in the name of Sayajirao Gaekwad, a popular ruler from the Maratha community.
Ajit Pawar attended his first cabinet meeting and inaugurated the first office of his party allotted by the state government opposite Mantralaya on Tuesday, July 4. A large number of party workers gathered at the event to extend their support to Sharad Pawar’s nephew, who is making all-out attempts to take control of his uncle’s party, the NCP. The workers raised slogans cheering on the new deputy chief minister.
The move is significant since the Pawar family belongs to the Maratha community. It is pertinent to note that Sharad Pawar’s long-standing sobriquet in the media has been ‘Maratha strongman’, and the scholarship could be the Ajit faction’s attempt to elicit the support of Maratha youths.
The scholarship will be implemented from this academic year. Eligible students can apply for the scheme through the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute (SARTHI).
Due to financial constraints, bright students from the Maratha community are unable to get admission in reputed universities abroad. Considering this, the state government has decided that the students taking admission to educational institutes or universities that are listed among the top 200 of QS World University rankings will get the benefit of this scholarship, said a senior official from the planning department.
Share
Tweet
