Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh distributed about 300 scholarship cheques to the school going children of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation. Rajnath Singh said that he had a long pending desire to do something for the families of the jawans and when he met Shri S.D. Shibulal, Co-founder and former CEO, Infosys Limited last year, they discussed the possibilities in this regard. The Home Minister felt extremely happy when Shri Shibulal extended the help of Sarojini Damodaran Foundation (SDF) which identifies students in need of financial assistance during schooling.
The Ministry of Home Affairs carried out an exercise and identified 295 children (CRPF-229, BSF-33, CISF-11, ITBP-3, SSB-5 and Assam Rifles-14) from different CAPF’s families and decided about these scholarships in consultation with the SDF. Shri Rajnath Singh distributed cheques of Rs.6000/- per annum for students in classes from 1st to 4th standard, Rs.9000/- per annum for 5th to 7th standard students and Rs.12000/- per annum for 8th to 12th standard and SDF has agreed to continue this assistance in subsequent years. The assistance will also be extended for needy children for their higher studies in due course.
The Union Home Minister appealed to the corporate world to join hands in assisting the families of Police, CAPFs and Defence personnel. Shri Rajnath Singh said though the amount is meagre but it is a good beginning and he will ensure to increase it. Shri Rajnath Singh mentioned that these small children are like flowers who will bloom in due course. Shri Rajnath Singh said that no help could be better than that of education or ‘Vidyadhan’ as it is mahadhan and it will help these children to perform better in their lives. The Home Minister said that it is not obligation but our duty to assist the families as our jawans leave no stone unturned for the security of the country even by sacrificing their lives. Shri Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary, Minister of State for Home Affairs, heads of CAPFs, Senior Officers of MHA, Smt. Kumari Shibulal, Patron and Sh.S.D.Shibulal, Managing Trustee, Sarojini Damodaran Foundation (SDF) and family members of CAPF personnel attended the function.