Region’s 50 brightest young stars shine
Parents, teachers cheer for 50 school students of the region who won the first edition of Hindustan Times Scholarship 201718
MOHALI: The smiles said it all. Beaming from ear to ear, 50 students, all award winners of the Hindustan Times Scholarship Programme for 2017-18, made their way into the auditorium of the Indian School of Business (ISB) on a pleasant Friday morning.
Accompanying them were equally proud parents and schoolteachers. “I had been waiting for this day,” giggled Agrima Thakur, a Class 7 student of Saupin’s School, Chandigarh, as she took her seat. It wasn’t long before Jashandeep Kaur, another Class 7 student seated next to Thakur, brought up the exam results. “I did well,” said Kaur, a student of Shemrock School, Mohali. She aspires to be an oncologist. Thakur simply beamed and said, “My result is tomorrow (on Saturday), but I am more excited today.”
The excitement was truly justified as the two bright girls were part of the final line-up of 50 students, who were chosen to receive the Hindustan Times Scholarship Programme award for 2017-18.
A unique initiative by Hindustan Times, the programme seeks to recognise the brightest young minds in schools with a trophy, certificate, and a cash award of ₹25,000 each. This was the first edition of the programme for Chandigarh and Punjab.
OVER 20,000 STUDENTS APPLIED
Over the past few months, entries were invited from students of Class 5 to 9 in schools across tricity and Punjab. Students were asked to send in an essay on ‘Social media - a boon or bane’. As many as 20,000 entries were received from across the region, of which 150 were shortlisted.
These students were then interviewed by HT’s editorial team, which selected the 50 finalists. Each of the 50 students has won a scholarship of ₹25,000.
“The response was tremendous. All the students were very bright and it was very difficult to choose just 50. It is really heartening to see that students from different strata of society have won the scholarship,” remarked Ramesh Vinayak, executive editor, HT, as he welcomed the students, teachers and guests to the award ceremony.
Rubinderjit Singh Brar, DPI (schools) and Vivek Atray, former IAS officer and motivational speaker, were the chief guests. Also present was Jyotin Verma, business head (north), HT, who urged children to make newspaper reading a habit.
PALPABLE SENSE OF EXPECTATION
There was a palpable sense of expectation as the emcee began announcing the names of the students. “I like writing poetry, but I am glad my essay was liked too,” said Chinmay Jagga, a student of Class 5, BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana, as he readied to go on to the stage.
“I was so excited to have won that I haven’t given much thought to what I will do with the money. I think I might save it for the future,” smiled Ishan Sharma, a student of Class 9, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Chandigarh.
And if you thought a celebration is what most students would have planned, you are mistaken. The majority of students who we spoke to wanted to save the award money.
“Of course, I will get my parents to treat me to something special,” quipped Riddhi Talwar, a student of Class 7, Carmel Convent School.
Buoyed by the response and the enthusiasm among students on stage, teachers, who accompanied their wards, were also brimming with pride.
“It is a very good initiative and I hope it continues. Students need opportunities like these; there is so much talent in schools,” remarked Jyoti N Belavadi, a science teacher from St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School.
Parents shared the sentiment. As his daughter Kriti took to the stage to collect her certificate and trophy, Rakesh Bhat was misty-eyed. “We were very happy when we got the news of her selection. She is a very deserving all-rounder. This is a path-breaking initiative by Hindustan Times, which will go a long way in encouraging young students to give it their best,” he said.
THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS PLAN TO SAVE THE AWARD MONEY FOR USE IN THEIR CAREERS; SOME WOULD HAND IT TO PARENTS