Ranchi: The Jharkhand Government has tied up with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) unit of British High Commission, New Delhi, to launch Chevening Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship 2023.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two institutions was signed in presence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and British High Commission to India Alex Ellis here on Tuesday.
Jharkhand became to the first State in the country to have such tie up for sending its students, particularly of the scheduled tribes (ST), scheduled castes and backward classes abroad for higher studies under the scholarship programme.
The State Government had launched Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda scholarship last year in recognition to freedom fighter Jaipal Singh Munda’s travel to England in pursuance for higher studies and sports. However, it was earlier meant for the students of ST community only.
CM Soren said that the introduction of Chevening Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Scholarship Scheme would give a new direction to Jharkhand in the field of education. “Education is the mother’s milk. The child will roar as much as he drinks it,” he added.
The CM said that it was in a very short span of time that the Central Government and the UK have given their consent to launch the extended scholarship.
Who was Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda?
Exactly a century ago, a tribal youth from Jharkhand, Jaipal Singh Munda got the opportunity to study in Oxford University. He also led the Oxford Blues team in hockey along with studies. It was in England that he found a suitable environment to hone his leadership ability. This is the reason why people today know him as Marang Gomke. Jaipal Singh Munda has had a different identity in the state, country and world.
British delegation discusses investment opportunities
The delegation of officials of the British High Commission had a round table discussion with officials of the state government on investment proposals in various sectors. In the meeting, the British delegates were urged to think about investments in school education, development of solar energy, clean energy, climate change, tourism, art culture and sports sectors. They were also briefed about prospects for investment in other sectors including electronic motor vehicles and the state government’s policies on all sectors.
The officials talked about the detailed information through a power point presentation. There was a detailed discussion on the points regarding how to take these different dimensions forward. The Chief Minister said that strengthening the rural economy is the first priority of the State Government, as the country would become strong once villages become prosperous.
Ellis mentioned the possibilities of investment in Jharkhand and said that his team was very much impressed over wonderful environment the state is blessed with. He hoped that British entrepreneurs would be apprised about positive atmosphere for industrial investment in the state.
Chief Secretary Sukhdev Singh, Development Commissioner Arun Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary L Khiangte, Principal Secretary to the CM Rajiv Arun Ekka, Principal Secretaries Vandana Dadel and Avinash Kumar, Secretary to the CM Vinay Kumar Chaubey, Secretaries Amitabh Kaushal, KK Soan, Rajesh Kumar Sharma and Rahul Kumar Purwar were also present during the discussion.
