Government seems to be “late Kate” in fulfilling the higher education aspirations of Bero block’s daily wage labourer Julia Minz, the ninth topper in State Intermediate Arts. After a private coaching centre agreed to sponsor Julia’s under graduation expenses, Government authorities thought of approaching her for the same.
Referring this fact, the 19-year-old tribal girl said, “Our inter result was declared on May 30 and on June 2, representatives of a private engineering coaching centre reached my home assuring to fund for my further studies. They even gave me the agreement letter on June 21. It includes my three-year tuition fees in undergraduation along with hostel and fooding charges.”
“As far as I know, needy tribal toppers like me are first approached by Government. Ye sirf bolne ka hain (This is only for namesake). Government first approached me around June 17 through a phone call from a Ministry enquiring me about my future plans on pursuing higher education. I told them I will be appearing for BA Geography Honours entrance exam in St Xavier’s College the next day. They then asked me to give the form number of my online application for this course,” Julia added.
This, according to her, was the first and last initiative from the Government till date. When the particular person of this Ministry was contacted by The Pioneer on Sunday it was revealed that the call was made to know the exact Government of India’s (GoI) Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) scheme wherein the achievement of Julia fits into.
“Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides various schemes for SC and ST students. We just wanted to know the parameters of such schemes applicable for Julia. Once she is admitted in a college, the respective college has to apply for her scholarship or any financial support to this Ministry,” the official maintained.
Notably, Julia who lost her father two years back has been assisting her labourer mother to supplement the family income. “It is not possible for my ailing mother to meet the demands of mine as well as hers all alone. So, I have been accompanying her in doing manual labour work. However, my job for daily bread never affected my inter studies completed from SS +2 High School, Bero,” said Julia.
The State Government too is in the list of ‘late help’. HRD minister Geetashree Oraon had declared to provide required support on her part to this brilliant girl on the day when Inter-Arts results were published. Unfortunately, no written notification or assistance is announced by the state government till date.
As of now, Julia is worried for the result of her entrance exam which is to be declared on Monday. The coaching centre sponsoring Julia is a prominent name in engineering stream funding her under their Corporate Social Responsibility activity.