Scholarships for the physically challenged
Can disability be an impetus for betterment? The NCPEDP scholarship scheme for the disabled ensures just this
Diksha Chopra

Pratap, who became handicapped at the age of five, learnt of the scholarship scheme for disabled candidates at a seminar organized by the National Centre for Promotion and Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP). He immediately applied and received a scholarship and went on to obtain an MBA degree and later, landed a job with the National Housing Bank as an Assistant Manager.

This is not an isolated case. Till date, 55 students have benefited from this scheme since it was launched in 1998 to enable deserving and meritorious disabled students with limited means to receive education at postgraduate level or obtain professional training. Though the amount of financial assistance is small - merely Rs. 1000 per month, students who have availed of the scheme in the past four months, have used it to obtain degrees in subjects like Medicine, Surgery, Engineering, Management, Social Work Etc.

The scholarship is awarded to students with handicaps like blindness or any other disability.

Fast facts

Of the 70 million disabled people in India, less than 2 per cent receive education of any kind.

According to one unofficial survey, only about one lakh disabled in the country have been employed at a regular job in the last 40 years.

Skills imparted by NGOs are mainly in low-end jobs that do not bring in much money.

A survey done by NCPEDP revealed that in these MNCs, the percentage of employees with disabilities was a dismal 0.4 per cent.

(For further details, contact NCPEDP, A-77, South Extension, Part-II, New Delhi - 110049. Tel: 6265647, 6265648)

Source: Hindustan Times
Dated 12th June, 2002