Pokhara: Sangita BK of Sigdajure VDC-7 Taprang was worried on managing resource for her higher study because of the meager earning of her parent.

Thanks to the philanthropicy of late Thaman Sigh Gurung , who was killed 3 years ago in Afghanistan in a rebel attack, that helped to realize the cherished dream of higher study of three students including Sangita at different higher secondary schools in the district.

Thaman who had to enlist in the Indian Army to earn a living had a desire to establish a scholarship fund to help the student for the higher study so that they would not be forced to serve in the foreign land to eke out the living. The Scholarship fund was established with the compensation amount received from American government as Thaman was deployed in Afghanistan as private contractor.

In the course of over 3 years´ court case an American lawyer Matthew Handley had helped Thaman´s family seek justice and forced the US government to pay 100,000 US dollar compensation as the he was killed on duty. A permanent fund was created to award scholarship for the needy pupil with the compensation.

“Thaman had a desire to set up the fund to help poor and intelligent students in the district. His thought was reinforced by Handley and the scholarship fund was created out of the compensation amount,” the chairman of the Chandra Gurung Conservation Institute Dr. Hum Bahadur Gurung informed.

According to Dr Gurung the compensation amount will remain in an American bank as a fund and from the interest of the amount three needy and intelligent students will be provided Rs 6,000 monthly stipend for the higher studies in the district.

The scholarship will be announced once every two years. Srijana Gurung of Namarjung and Sanju Bk of Sodha, Khilang are the other two recipient of the scholarship. All the three are the student of the management faculty.

“It is great opportunity for poor pupil like us to continue higher study. We are very greatful and hope that we will try our best to use the opportunity to reach our goals," said Sangita after receiving the scholarship.

Sanju said the scholarship had inspired her to go to the field of social works after completing her study.

source: republica,9 Sept 2012