Dehradun, September 8: More than 40 meritorious students were awarded scholarships at a special ceremony organised at the Chief Minister’s Seva Sadan here on Sunday to mark the foundation day of the Kusum Kanta Foundation.
The event, titled Gyan Ganga Samman Samaroh’, was jointly organised by the Kusum Kanta Foundation and Manthan Welfare Society. Besides scholarship distribution, 13 outstanding teachers from Uttarakhand and NSS coordinators from the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions were felicitated for their contribution to education, social service and youth development.
The programme began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and the national anthem. Foundation founder Vidushi ‘Nishank’ welcomed the guests and highlighted the organisation’s initiatives in the fields of education and social welfare.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who was the chief guest, congratulated the students and said every talented young person should get an opportunity, proper guidance and encouragement to move ahead in life.
“Scholarships are not merely financial assistance. They give students new energy, confidence and faith to pursue their dreams,” Dhami said, while appreciating the efforts of the Kusum Kanta Foundation and Manthan Welfare Society.
He said encouraging education and talent was a collective responsibility of society. “When an individual or an organisation works for the welfare of the underprivileged and helpless, such service is greater than even a divine act,” the chief minister said.
Cabinet minister Khajan Das recalled the contribution of Kusum Kanta and said her life remained dedicated to family, literature, society and education. He said economic circumstances should not become an obstacle to a talented student’s education and stressed the importance of collaboration between the government and social organisations in creating opportunities for deserving students.
Former chief minister and former Union education minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said education was not merely a means of acquiring knowledge but the foundation for character building, sensitivity and nation-building.
Recalling Kusum Kanta’s life of simplicity, service and commitment, Pokhriyal said the scholarships and honours presented to students were more than financial support. “They represent society’s faith in their dreams and abilities,” he said.
He urged the students to remain committed to their goals, work hard and use their knowledge and talent for the welfare of society and the nation. He said achieving success and serving society through their abilities would be the most meaningful tribute to Kusum Kanta.
Former vice-chancellor of a Sanskrit university, Prof Sudha Rani Pandey, who chaired the programme, said education plays a central role in shaping individuals and strengthening society and the nation. Remembering Kusum Kanta’s values, she said respect for women and their meaningful contribution were essential for building strong families, a progressive society and a developed nation.
A multimedia presentation showcasing the foundation’s activities was also screened during the event. Student Sakshita presented a poem, while winners of a poetry competition were also felicitated.
The programme was conducted by BJYM state minister and advocate Aryan Dev Uniyal and Monika Sharma, while Pooja Pokhriyal coordinated the event.
Among those present were Cantonment MLA Savita Kapoor, Minister of State Om Prakash Jamdagni, Shobharam Prajapati, Col Ajay Kothiyal, Madhu Bhatt, Vinay Rohela, UCOST Director General Prof Durgesh Pant, Padma Shri awardees Prem Chand Sharma, R.K. Jain and Kalyan Singh Rawat ‘Maiti’, Doiwala Municipal Board chairman Narendra Singh Negi, former higher education director Dr Savita Mohan, Kusum Kanta Foundation managing director Shivani Gupta, State Women’s Commission chairperson Kusum Kandwal, Sparsh Himalaya University Chancellor Prof Pradeep Bhardwaj, Vice-Chancellor Dr Rakesh Sundriyal, Sachidanand Bharti and yoga guru Laxminarayan Joshi, besides educationists, writers, social workers and students.