Students from Uttarakhand are not taking as much interest in pursuing fine arts in Bachelors and Masters degrees despite scholarship given to them as expected. As per the data of the applicants for the scholarship meant for the fine arts students provided by the State culture department, the number of students registered this year is less than the figure of last year.
The scholarship given by the culture department known as ‘lalit Kala Siksha Nidhi’ (fine arts education scholarship) is given to the students pursuing fine arts for bachelors and masters degrees. The total amount spent on such scholarship is Rs 40 lakh. Besides, the scholarship is given to the students who study in the Government colleges during their educational career. As per the figures given by the culture department, while 63 students from across the State had applied for the scholarship in 2017 the number has come down to 57 this year. Notably, a committee of seven officials, including the Director of the Culture Department, selects the students for the scholarship.
Talking to The Pioneer on Monday, Director of Culture Department Bina Bhatt said, “The scheme of giving the scholarship to the students was started by the State Government to promote fine arts. The objective is that the scholarship would make the students to opt for it. The scholarship is meant to help the students financially.”
She, further said, “We are making all efforts to ensure that the students pursuing Fine Arts have a bright future ahead of their educational career. We would take more initiatives to help the students from Uttarakhand in the coming days.”