MINORITY GRANTS BY NGO

I was studying in class XI (10+2 science stream) in a college named Nabajyoti college in Barpeta (state-Assam), India in 1997. I came from a middle class family with a large numbers of family members. But yet my father was very much interested to admit myself into a reputed college in science stream. The college I studied was a reputed one in Assam and nearly 45 km away from my home. So I stayed in the college hostel right from the beginning. My family’s only income source was my father’s service. As a hostel boarder my monthly expenditure was higher than non resident student.

I was trying to get some financial assistance from government/ non government department to meet my rising expenditure in college. I came to know about few agencies which were offering financial assistance to students of minority community for their higher /professional studies. Some of them were Jindal Trust, New Delhi, Minority Development Board (Government of Assam) etc. Lastly one day as I was reading news paper in my hostel, I noticed a notification of Markazul Ma-arif- a NGO based in upper Assam’s Nagaon district that used to assist the needy and meritorious students of minority and other backward classes financially to pursue higher studies.

Lastly after consulting with our Head clerk and Head of the Chemistry department I along with 3 other students filled up the application form with due consent from our college Principal. The organization would hold interview after two months in Oct 1997 as mentioned in the notifications.

After few days I got call letter to appear in a written examination and interview on 16 Oct 1997 in Hojai, Nagaon, Assam where the NGO’s headquarters are situated. The other 3 of my friends also got call letter. I rejoiced and planned for the examination and interview. But I have no idea how to reach Hojai. It was totally an unknown place for me. So my friends and I met our principal to guide us. He was so helpful that he explained the route and techniques to appear for an interview. On 15 Oct 1997 we all four started our journey to Hojai. In the journey we discussed about the interview and examination. We reached there at around 9 pm same day. We stayed in a small room that belonged to a friend of our principal whose address was given us by our dear principal.

Next day I appeared for the written exam first in the Markaz campus. It was a nice campus with so many facilities. A technical and general library was filled up with various books. The examination was of 45 minutes only and asked about some questions from physics, chemistry, biology and general knowledge. I tried almost all questions (except two in physics). There after in interview the interviewer asked why I need the assistance, what about my family and what was my future study plan. They also informed me that they wanted me to help other needy students if I got the scholarship and got any service after completing my study. I simply agreed. I explained all in quite soft manner. At last I finished interview and started my return journey on 16 October at around 10 pm by night super bus with my three college mates.

After 1 month I got a registered letter from the organization. It was a result cum approval letter of the scholarship. I was granted a scholarship of 500 rupees per months for two years. I got the scholarship amount on regular basis. It really helped me a lot. I pursued my education and got first division in 10+2 level examination in early 1999.