Bazm-E-Niswan, an all women’s charitable trust distributed Rs. 1 crore 50 lakhs in scholarships to 3200 female students from the economically weaker section of the community on Saturday. The organisation has been distributing scholarships since its inception in 1971 and has so far given financial aid to over 60000 students to complete their higher education.
In view of the coronavirus pandemic, a small program was held at the office of India Builders Corporation where the scholarship was distributed. The entire program was broadcast live on social media. Mrs Husna Ziaullah Sheriff, president, Bazm-E-Niswan chaired the program and distributed cheques among the students.
Mrs Sheriff in her opening note exhorted students to continue their education and do not let any hindrance distract them. She said providing financial aid to deserving students in the community is part of Bazm’s mission which the organisation has been doing for the past 45 years.
She said due to COVID-19, the number of applications they received was 30% less compared to last year, but it also gave them the opportunity to take the entire process online. As a result, the organisations launched the Bazm-E-Niswan Online Software Application for the students to apply at their convenience on 1st December 2020 – www.bazmeniswan.org/scholarship2020.
The online application was open for 15 days in which they received 1450 applications for PUC, 1656 applications for Undergraduate Courses and 94 applications for Postgraduate Courses. Out of the students who applied for the scholarship, 68.55% belong to BPL families and 92.65% of them live in a rented house.
Of the applications received the majority of the father’s occupation was drivers and daily wage labourers.
Mrs Husna Ziaullah Sheriff said the major reason behind the backwardness in the community is lack of education and lamented that despite efforts of many organisations, the community has still a long way to go. She said Bazm also has other initiatives, all designed to make women economically and socially empowered.
