The Gulshan-Banani Sarbojanin Puja Foundation (GBSPF) on Friday awarded merit scholarships to 85 underprivileged but talented students from across the country, further strengthening its commitment to educational equity.
The award ceremony, which commenced at 11am, benefited students currently enrolled in various institutions, including Dhaka University, as well as other public, private, medical, and technical universities, according to a press release.
Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma attended the event as the chief guest, while Debasish Paul, Provost of Jagannath Hall, Dhaka University, was present as the special guest. The ceremony was also attended by former presidents and general secretaries of the foundation, alongside the students’ parents.
Addressing the gathering, Pranay Kumar Verma highlighted the importance of community-led initiatives in education. “A nation’s true wealth is its youth, and education is the key that unlocks their infinite potential,” he stated.
He pointed out that by assuming such social responsibility alongside its cultural activities, GBSPF is setting a unique example.
“By removing financial hurdles for these meritorious students, you are not just assisting their education; you are building the future leaders, innovators, and pioneers of Bangladesh,” the High Commissioner added.
This year marks the fourth consecutive year of the GBSPF scholarship initiative. The programme has demonstrated consistent growth, expanding from 48 students in its inaugural year to 74 in the second and 81 in the third.
With this year’s 85 recipients, the foundation has now distributed a total of 288 scholarships, reinforcing its pledge to eliminate financial barriers to higher education.
GBSPF President JL Bhowmik emphasised that the foundation’s mission extends beyond religious and cultural events.
“Our primary goal is to move society forward. Education is the most powerful tool we can provide to our youth,” he said, noting that the foundation takes pride in investing in the future prosperity of Bangladesh.
The programme was organised under the leadership of Subhash Chandra Ghosh, Convener of the Scholarship Sub-committee, and Chaitanya Kumar De Chayan, Member Secretary.
Subhash Chandra Ghosh stated that the foundation is dedicated to service, not just celebration, and expressed a commitment to expanding the support programme in the coming days.
Chayan noted that reaching 288 beneficiaries from an initial 48 is a testament to the community’s dedication to supporting students and their families throughout their academic journeys.
