A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for the implementation of a scholarship initiative under the Vidyadhan Scholarship Program at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Conference Hall, Kohima on 28th April 2026.
Advisor for School Education & SCERT, Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome expressed gratitude to the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation for partnering with the State in implementing the Vidyadhan Scholarship Program. He said the scholarship will primarily benefit students from Government schools who have recently passed the HSLC examination, adding that the timing of the initiative is opportune following the declaration of results.
Highlighting past engagements, he mentioned that the collaboration is a result of continuous interaction with the foundation and its leadership, including its founder S D Shibulal. He noted that the programme is unique in its approach as it supports students not only at the school level but also through higher education, including professional courses.
The Advisor remarked that for a state like Nagaland, where many communities are in rural and economically constrained settings, such initiatives will play a crucial role in expanding opportunities and aspirations among students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.
He further stated that education remains a key priority for the people of Nagaland and expressed confidence that the collaboration would have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of students in the state.
Commissioner & Secretary for School Education & SCERT, Kevileno Angami described the occasion as a significant step towards enhancing educational opportunities for students in the state. She stated that the signing of the MoU will help implement a scholarship programme in addition to existing government schemes.
She informed that the initiative, aimed at transforming lives through education, is currently being implemented in around 18–19 states across the country and will now be extended to Nagaland, providing additional support to eligible students to pursue their academic aspirations.
She further stated that the scholarship programme will be implemented based on specific conditions and eligibility criteria, which will be explained by representatives of the foundation during the programme.
Principal Consultant, Sarojini Damodaran Foundation, Pankaj Tripathi expressed appreciation to the State Government for the partnership and said that it was an honour for the foundation to implement the programme in Nagaland.
Providing an overview, he informed that the Vidyadhan Scholarship Programme was initiated in 1999 in Kerala and is currently operational in 22 States and Union Territories. He informed that over 78,000 scholarships have been awarded, benefitting more than 15,000 students. He also highlighted that the programme extends beyond financial assistance and includes mentoring, career counselling, soft skills development, and internship opportunities.
Tripathi further informed that the programme operates on a transparent and scalable IT-based platform, enabling participation from both individual and corporate sponsors. He mentioned that several organisations are associated with the initiative, allowing sponsors to track and support the progress of students.
He said selected students receive support for a period of 5 to 7 years, starting from Class XI through higher education, and said new batches of students are inducted every year, ensuring continuity and expansion of the programme.
Speaking on the operational aspects of the programme, Manager, Operations, Sarojini Damodaran Foundation, Jacob Sukumar informed that the scholarship initiative is fully funded through contributions from sponsors, with the entire amount directly transferred to the students without any deductions.
In addition to financial support, he said the foundation conducts structured training programmes for selected students. These include an annual four-day residential training focusing on career guidance, motivation, and soft skills development. He added that resource persons and professionals are invited to interact with, and inspire the students during these sessions.
Sukumar further informed that the foundation also organises additional training programmes at different stages of the students’ academic journey. While students in Classes XI and XII are guided on academic choices and career pathways, those pursuing higher education are provided with employability training, including mock interviews and skill-building sessions.
(Kazuhito, IA)
