To promote gender equality and support female students in agricultural education, Crystal Crop Protection Limited has announced the launch of the Smt Kanak Aggarwal NAAS Girls Scholarship.
This initiative, worth Rs 33 lakh, is set to benefit female students pursuing higher education in agriculture across central and state universities in India. The scholarship program will commence in July and August 2024.
Announcement
The Smt Kanak Aggarwal NAAS Girls Scholarship, launched by Crystal Crop Protection Limited in collaboration with the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), aims to provide both financial aid and mentorship opportunities to female students.
A total of 84 scholarships, 21 for each academic year from the first to the fourth, will be awarded annually. This initiative underscores the importance of supporting women in agriculture, both academically and professionally.
Scholarship Details
The scholarship program is designed to support female students throughout their undergraduate studies in agriculture. Each scholarship will amount to Rs. 3000 per month per student, disbursed quarterly directly to the student’s bank accounts by NAAS.
The financial support will help cover tuition fees, books, and other educational expenses, ensuring that recipients can focus on their studies without financial burdens.
Eligibility
The scholarship is open exclusively to meritorious female students enrolled in Agricultural Universities. Nominations will be invited from the respective Vice Chancellors of the Agricultural Universities in a prescribed proforma.
Applications will be assessed based on academic merit and scrutinized by a committee constituted by the President of NAAS. To maintain the scholarship, students must consistently perform well academically.
The scholarship may be discontinued if a student fails to maintain the required OGPA, discontinues their studies, or fails to clear university examinations. Students already receiving scholarships from other sources are not eligible.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be Indian citizens.
- This scholarship is exclusively open to female students.
- This scholarship is open to all categories.
- This scholarship is applicable to BSc courses in agriculture fields.
- Open exclusively to meritorious girl students enrolled in Agricultural Universities.
- Nominations invited from respective Vice Chancellors of Agricultural Universities.
- Selection based on merit and competitive assessment by a committee constituted by the NAAS President.
- Successful candidates will be communicated to universities with approval from the Academy President.
Additional Benefits
Beyond financial support, the scholarship program offers college mentorship opportunities and networking events. Selected students will benefit from career development workshops designed to enhance their professional skills.
These additional benefits aim to provide a holistic support system for female students, equipping them with the tools and connections needed to excel in the agricultural sector.
Statements from Key Figures
Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), emphasized the importance of this initiative:
“We are encouraging young women to take up different education streams in agricultural studies. Through this, we are not only investing in the students’ futures but also impacting the agricultural sector as a whole. We are excited to see the positive impact that these upcoming professionals will have on their communities and the broader agricultural landscape.”
Ankur Aggarwal, Managing Director of Crystal Crop Protection Limited, added,
“We want to support the farming community where gender parity thrives across all spheres. Our goals are to support female students with top-notch education and abundant opportunities within the field. By providing them the needed support, we want them to not only excel academically but also build fulfilling careers.”
The scholarship is named in honor of Ankur Aggarwal’s late mother, Kanak Aggarwal, who was passionate about the inclusion of female students in agricultural courses.
National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)
The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), established on June 5, 1990, serves as an apex think tank and a vital forum dedicated to enhancing productivity, profitability, equity, and sustainability in Indian agriculture.
It functions as a dynamic national agricultural science organization promoting agricultural research, education, knowledge dissemination, national and international partnerships, and science-society interactions.
NAAS aims to transform agriculture and food policies, aiming for a comprehensive food-nutrition-livelihood-ecology-secured and climate-smart India.
Application Process
Applications for the Smt Kanak Aggarwal NAAS Girls Scholarship are now open. Eligible female students who have demonstrated academic excellence can apply through the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Crystal Crop websites.
The application process involves nomination by the Vice Chancellors of Agricultural Universities and a thorough assessment of academic merit.
How to Apply:
- Visit the official website.
- Read carefully all the information about the program details.
- Click on “Register” to complete the registration with the required details.
- After successful registration, use the received credentials to log into your account.
- Once logged in, download the application form.
- Take a printout and fill in the required details on the form.
- Attach relevant documents.
- Review the application and send it to the given address.
Documents Required:
- Application Form
- Applicant ID Proof
- Previous Year Marks Sheets
- Valid Email ID & Mobile No.
- Bank Passbook
- Additional Documents (if required)
The Smt Kanak Aggarwal NAAS Girls Scholarship is a significant step towards promoting gender equality in agricultural education. Providing financial support, mentorship, and career development opportunities, this initiative aims to empower female students to excel in their studies and build successful careers in agriculture.
Eligible students are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this valuable opportunity to contribute to the agricultural sector’s future. For more information and to apply, visit the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) and Crystal Crop websites.