Mumbai, 22 January 2014

Reliance Foundation awarded the Dhirubhai Ambani Scholarship to 393 meritorious students from across India to pursue their undergraduate studies. Out of these 393 scholars, 111 are differently abled and about fifty per cent are girls. The scholarships were awarded by Nita M. Ambani, Founder & Chairperson, Reliance Foundation during an award ceremony held in Mumbai.

Launched in 1996, the Dhirubhai Ambani Scholarship Programme has been working towards Dhirubhai Ambani’s vision of breeding leadership within the future of the country, its youth. His belief in the potential of youth is best captured through his words, “Give the youth a proper environment. Motivate them. Extend them the support they need. Each one of them has infinite source of energy. They will deliver”.

Every year the Dhirubhai Ambani Scholarship Programme provides opportunities to meritorious students to pursue their higher studies in diverse disciplines including medicine, engineering, law, science and other social sciences. The scholarship awarded to the students supports their tuition fees and other allowances for the entire duration of the academic coursework. Cumulatively, the scholarship programme has supported over 10,000 students so far including 2,000 differently abled students across India into mainstream careers.

“Education has the catalytic power to transform lives and build a happy nation. Through the Dhirubhai Ambani Scholarships we are committed to celebrating the accomplishments of the brightest of our youth and providing them the impetus to be aspirational and excel” said Nita M. Ambani, Founder & Chairperson, Reliance Foundation. “Each of our scholarship recipients represents the hope, optimism and potential of our great nation. Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the winners!”

Dhirubhai Ambani Scholars have pursued higher education from some of the premier institutes of India. This programme has played a significant role in shaping careers of several thousand children.

The award ceremony was attended by over 1,000 participants from across India including from far off states like Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Lakshadweep etc.