Indus Valley Times

By Payal Banerjee

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 7: Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF), the social development arm of Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys Limited (IMFA), is now accepting applications for the 20th edition of the prestigious Professor Ghanashyam Dash Scholarship (PGDS) for Higher Education.

This scholarship aims to empower meritorious students from Odisha to pursue higher professional education. Annually, six exceptional students are awarded financial assistance to study fields such as engineering, medicine, STEM, and liberal arts at top institutions across India.

The Professor Ghanashyam Dash Scholarship covers up to 90% of academic fees and eligible expenses, with a maximum scholarship amount of INR 6 lakhs per awardee. This support helps students complete their four-year professional programs. Additionally, recipients will benefit from BIPF’s exclusive mentorship program, ‘UTSAAH’, which offers academic and career guidance from IMFA executives.

Applications for the academic year 2024-2025 are being taken in, and the deadline for submission is November 15, 2024. Interested students who are domiciles of Odisha and meet the eligibility criteria (annual household income of less than INR 8 lakhs) can apply online at www.bipf.org.in.

Ms. Shaifalika Panda, Trustee & Founder CEO of Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation, stated, “At BIPF, we believe that education is the foundation for empowering future generations. Through the Professor Ghanashyam Dash Scholarship, we are committed to ensuring that talented students from Odisha, regardless of their financial backgrounds, can pursue higher education and create positive impacts in their communities.”

The PGDS Scholarship was instituted in 2005 to honor the legacy of the late Prof. Ghanashyam Dash, a renowned historian and the father of the late Mrs. Ila Panda. Since its inception, it has supported numerous students in achieving their academic aspirations, contributing to the growth and development of Odisha.