The Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana (Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby) is an initiative by the Indian government to promote philately among school children. This scholarship program is designed to provide financial support to students who excel in academics and display a passion for philately. This article will explore the objectives, key features, and implementation of the program.
Objectives: Nurturing Hobby and Academic Excellence
The primary objectives of the SPARSH Yojana are:
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To encourage philately among school children as a beneficial hobby.
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To incentivize the pursuit of philately by providing scholarships.
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To use philately as a tool to supplement academic knowledge.
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To increase the visibility of philately and promote awareness among students, parents, and the public.
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To integrate philatelic activities into school curricula.
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To foster a sense of community and provide a connection between different generations of philatelists.
Key Features: A Multi-Faceted Support System
The key features of the scheme include:
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Scholarships: Each postal circle provides 40 scholarships, with a maximum of 10 students each from classes VI to IX.
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Quarterly Payments: Scholarships are distributed to the chosen students on a quarterly basis.
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Academic and Hobby Focus: The scheme gives equal weight to both academic excellence and philatelic skill.
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Philately Clubs: Students must be members of a philately club in their school or own a philately deposit account (if their school does not have a club).
Eligibility Criteria: Meeting the Requirements
To be eligible for this scholarship, students must:
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Be students in classes VI to IX at a recognized school in India.
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Be a member of a school philately club, or have their own Philately Deposit Account.
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Have a strong academic record, scoring at least 60% marks in their last final exams, with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST candidates.
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Be able to demonstrate their aptitude in Philately
Selection Process: A Two-Tier Approach
The program utilizes a two-stage selection process:
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Stage 1 – Written Quiz: A written test is conducted at the regional level. This acts as a screening test.
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Stage 2 – Philately Project: Shortlisted students must submit a Philately Project for final selection. The final selections are based solely on marks secured in the project.
The written test involves 50 MCQ questions covering general knowledge, current affairs, history, geography, science, sports, culture, local philately, and national philately.
Disbursement: Direct Payments and Tracking
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The scholarship amount is Rs. 6000 annually, with a payment of Rs.1500 on a quarterly basis.
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Payments are disbursed to the student’s joint account (with parents) in the India Post Payment Bank or Post Office Savings Bank.
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The list of selected students are provided to the bank for processing of payments.
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The scholarship payment would be made only after proper verification by the Postal Circle.
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Conclusion:
The Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana provides invaluable support to students passionate about philately. By focusing on both academic excellence and the hobby itself, the scheme promotes a holistic learning experience and is poised to shape the next generation of philatelists. The initiative also helps in promoting the cause of the Postal Department and its activities by reaching and engaging with various groups of stake holders.