MP govt to launch 'Shri Krishna Meritorious Scholarship Scheme', Congress terms it political diversion
Bhopal, August 6
In a bid to connect with Gen Z through the teachings and legacy of Lord Krishna, the Madhya Pradesh government has announced the launch of the 'Bhagwan Shri Krishna Medhavi Chhatravritti Yojana', under which 102 meritorious students across the state will be awarded scholarships of Rs 1 lakh each.
The state government said the initiative aims to promote Indian knowledge systems, traditions, arts and holistic learning among the youth. According to the government, the scholarship is intended not only to reward academic excellence but also to encourage students to develop skills inspired by the concept of Lord Krishna's 14 Vidyas (branches of knowledge) and 64 Kalas (arts).
The scheme will cover students studying at the school, college and university levels. Its detailed framework, including eligibility criteria, selection process and evaluation parameters, will be prepared by the Shri Krishna Pathay Nyas.
Chief Minister's Cultural Advisor Shriram Tiwari said the initiative seeks to connect the younger generation with India's cultural heritage by drawing inspiration from Lord Krishna's life.
"If we try to understand Lord Krishna in today's context, we can identify him as the first 'Gen Z'. By the age of around 11 years, he had accomplished extraordinary feats in Mathura. Later, under the guidance of Maharishi Sandipani in Ujjain, he mastered the 14 Vidyas and 64 Kalas, which enabled him to transform society. The scholarship reflects Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's vision of promoting India's traditional knowledge systems alongside modern education," Tiwari said.
Tiwari said 102 scholarships would be awarded every year, including 51 scholarships for school students studying in government, central government, tribal welfare, aided or private schools. The remaining scholarships will be open to Higher Education students pursuing higher education, including those in ITIs, IITs, medical, technical and journalism courses, as well as eligible private candidates and researchers.
He further said applicants would have to register through a dedicated website and answer an online questionnaire containing more than 30 questions based on the prescribed themes. Different applicants would receive different sets of questions, and if the number of successful candidates exceeds the available scholarships, the final selection would be made through a lottery among eligible candidates.
The announcement of the scheme, however, triggered a political row, with the Congress accusing the state government of using the name of Lord Krishna for political purposes.
Congress Media Department Chairman Mukesh Nayak said that instead of introducing such schemes, the government should focus on addressing issues affecting students.
"If the government wants to connect with the youth, it should stop paper leaks, end irregularities in examinations, ensure schools and colleges function on time, teachers attend classes regularly, examinations are conducted on schedule and results are declared on time. Why are you misusing the name of Lord Krishna? Why are you turning educational institutions and campuses into centres of ideological conflict? There should be a healthy campus culture and discipline. Only then will Gen Z accept you," Nayak said.
The Congress leader further took a swipe at the ruling party, alleging that it had shifted from invoking Lord Ram to Lord Krishna for political reasons.
Meanwhile, the BJP hit back at the Congress over its allegations, accusing the opposition of having a problem with the Sanatan tradition and opposing every positive initiative of the government.
"The Congress has always had a problem with Sanatan Dharma. Earlier it objected to Lord Ram, and now it has started objecting to Lord Krishna as well. This scheme is an initiative to honour meritorious students and promote India's cultural heritage," said Pankaj Chaturvedi, BJP spokesperson.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a student, I think this is actually a nice initiative. We need more than just textbook learning - understanding our heritage through Krishna's 14 Vidyas and 64 Kalas could really broaden our perspective. But 102 scholarships for the entire state? That's just tokenism. If they're serious, they should scale this up significantly.
Interesting approach from India - integrating cultural education with modern scholarship. As an outsider looking in, I find it refreshing to see governments promoting traditional knowledge systems. However, the Congress's point about exam paper leaks and education quality is equally valid. Both sides have a point here.
Congress is doing what they do best - opposing everything! Whether it's Ram or Krishna, they have a problem with our Sanatan tradition. This scheme is a beautiful way to connect Gen Z with our roots. And calling Lord Krishna the first Gen Z - what a brilliant observation by the cultural advisor! 👏
I'm a teacher and I see how disconnected kids are from our cultural roots. While the intention is good, why not first fix the basics - schools that actually function, teachers who actually teach, and exams without paper leaks? Then add the cultural layer. Innovation is fine, but don't neglect the fundamentals. 🤔
Genius move by BJP! Using Krishna's legacy for political gain is clever but transparent. Why not put this same energy into ensuring every village has a proper school to begin with? The scholarship is a good gesture, but let's not pretend it's solving ground realities. Smart politics, though - I'll give them that.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.