New Delhi, September 20, 2021: Like a hurricane leaves a trail of destruction in its wake, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended human lives in more ways than one can fathom. As the second wave of the pandemic struck India late-February to mid-March this year, the virus went on an annihilation spree, wiping out livelihoods and orphaning children.
According to a report published by The Lancet, more than 1.19 lakh children have lost their primary caregiver (one or both parents/one or both custodial parents) to COVID-19 in India. A significant percentage of that number includes students who have lost or are at the risk of losing their means to proper education. If the shutdown of schools since March-2020 was not enough to instigate an alarming rate of drop-outs and loss of learning; the absence of a caregiver and financial constraints pose new challenges in front of children and the student community of the country. (Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/119000-indian-children-lost-caregivers-to-covid-during-first-14-months-of-pandemic-says-report/article35438967.ece)
As governments, non-profits, and human rights outfits grapple to mitigate the crisis, providing aids to the children; certain educational institutes have risen to the occasion. They have become a beacon of hope to the students, and notably, DBMCI (Dr Bhatia Medical Coaching Institute) is leading the way, setting an example with their cause for others to follow.
DBMCI’s 2.5 Cr Scholarship Program for Orphaned Students
A leading institution based in Delhi, Dr Bhatia Medical Coaching Institute has announced a 2.5 Crore scholarship program for its students. It would offer a free scholarship to students who have lost their primary caregivers to the pandemic during the second wave of 2021. The aide would be available for the next one year, applicable on respective courses. The student would be able to access the scholarship by submitting the death certificate of the deceased parent. You can gather other relevant details here.
Speaking about the initiative, Dr Nachiket Bhatia, CEO, Dr Bhatia Medical Coaching Institute, mentioned, “In those initial months of the COVID-19 second wave, we had all witnessed the ravages of the pandemic. The loss endured by some of our students is inexplicable, and our hearts go out to them and their families. But the question remains, is that enough? That’s when we ideated the scholarship initiative to prevent drop-outs from the coaching courses, which had increased during those months. It’s our earnest effort to enable these children to fulfil their career goals without having to stress about money issues.”
He further added, “It gives me immense pride and joy to say that as an institute, DBMCI was the first to initiate such a scholarship program for the students orphaned by COVID-19. Soon the cause started gaining traction, with other institutes across India, making similar humanitarian calls. I think as an organization, it is the least that we can do; something that we must do in a time like this.”
Conclusion
Students hold the key to the future of India. If they are lost, the fate of the entire nation would be cast in a dark shadow forever. As applaudable as an initiative DBMCI has started, such causes can be magnified if more organizations come forward offering aid to the COVID- affected. It is an exemplary act of compassion and empathy that one can hope for more to follow.
Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)
