CM Suvendu launches 'revamped' Vivekananda Merit Scholarship scheme for students

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the formal launch of the revamped Vivekananda Merit Scholarship. Speaking on Monday at a state-hosted reception ceremony for 221 secondary and higher secondary toppers across all boards at the Dhono Dhanye Auditorium in Alipore, the Chief Minister made it clear that the scholarship scheme will be distributed uniformly across communities. Adhikari emphasized that financial assistance will henceforth be determined exclusively by a student's academic merit and economic background, explicitly removing any prior criteria based on religious classification.

The announcement coincided with a broader legislative crackdown by the newly formed cabinet, which completely froze all ongoing state allowances, stipends, and doles curated around religious denominations. Inspiring the assembled young achievers, Chief Minister Adhikari cited the iconic legacies of educator Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and former President APJ Abdul Kalam, asserting that holistic education remains the ultimate equalizer in society

Assuring the student community of unwavering administrative backing, he stated that no meritorious individual should ever have to truncate their higher educational aspirations due to domestic financial distress. The Education Department has been ordered to prioritize the immediate operational setup of this scholarship network to ensure seamless fund allocation for the upcoming academic session.