Philatelist students to be eligible for scholarship

KOTA: Students who are collecting postage stamps as their hobby are now set to get annual scholarship of Rs 6,000 for the same. The Indian postal department in order to promote postage stamp collection as a hobby has come up with Deendayal Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude and Research in Stamps as a Hobby (SPARSH). The instructions regarding the implementation of the scheme have been sent to respective superintendents of the circle in the state. A total of 920 students, 40 from each circle would be selected for the scholarship from across the country.
Under the scheme, annual scholarship of Rs 6,000 will be awarded to the students studying in classes between 6th and 9th and who have scored more than 60 percent marks in their respective previous classes. The students of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories have, however, been given relaxation with five percent and can apply to avail the benefit of the scheme with 55 percent marks in their last passed class.
At least 40 students would be selected from every circle through competitive selection process. The selection would be made on the basis of evaluation of project works on philately and performance in philately quiz conducted for the purpose in the circle. 

 The Indian Postal department is set to award a total of 920 scholarships to the students pursuing philately as a hobby.

The instructions regarding the scholarship scheme SPARSH were received from headquarters on Thursday, said Haneef Khan, superintendent, Indian Postal department, circle Kota. The strategy to encourage students' participation would be chalked out now, he said adding the scholarship scheme would largely promote postage stamp collection hobby among the students.

Some other officials of the postal department in Bundi and Tonk are, however, still unaware of the ambitious scheme of their department to promote philately as a hobby. When asked, assistant superintendent of the department in Bundi circle Hanuman Bairwa said he is not aware of such a scheme as no instructions on the same have been received so far. Superintendent, Tonk circle SR Rathore also expressed ignorance of the scholarship scheme.

Postal stamps released from time to time certainly embody historical, cultural and political background of the nation and scholarship on collecting the same would definitely boost students' awareness, knowledge on national background and would also aid them financially, said Suman Sharma, a senior teacher in government school. 

Source :  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com