Jaipur: The dream of studying at Sydney University was close to fulfillment for Divyanshu Patidar, a 19-year-old from Jaipur, who secured admission in Feb this year and met all the criteria for the Swami Vivekanand Scholarship for Academic Excellence (SVS), a scheme by the state govt to support students in pursuing higher education abroad.
However, those dreams came crashing down when Divyanshu received an early-morning email from the university informing him that his admission was revoked because the academic session had begun, and he had not turned up.
"I was so close to realising my dream. I had secured my spot, but the scholarship delay left me in a limbo. Now, the university has refused to extend my admission, and I don't know what to do and where to go in the middle of the academic session," Divyanshu said.
His story mirrors that of several students who secured admission to foreign universities but are now watching their opportunities slip away. The Swami Vivekanand scholarship, which promises to support 300 students, has only delivered 69 awards. While academic sessions have already begun in major destinations like the UK and the US, 231 scholarships are yet to be released, leaving students in a lurch.
The scholarship notification, issued in March this year and meant to be implemented by July to ensure timely departures for students, has so far processed only 69 seats from 899 applications. The lackadaisical approach of officials, compounded by the seeming disinterest of deputy CM Prem Chand Bairwa, who is the minister for higher education, has crashed students' hopes.
But this issue isn't limited to students applying this year. Students already abroad are facing similar challenges. Madhu Lata (name changed), a 51-year-old mother, has been desperately seeking help for her daughter, who was suspended from Queen Mary University of London due to non-payment of fees as the last date ended on Sept 15. Despite her daughter's academic excellence, the scholarship funds did not arrive on time, leading to the suspension in her second year.
For weeks, Madhu Lata has been making trips between Shiksha Sankul (education department) and the secretariat, pleading for release of the overdue scholarship payment, but officials have not met her yet. On Wednesday, TOI caught her outside the Swami Vivekanand Scholarship office, where she was hoping for an official to hear her out.
"I've been running from pillar to post for the past one month, trying to save my daughter's future," she said, her voice breaking with exhaustion. "We're told to wait, but for how long? My daughter has already missed valuable study time. What more can I do as a mother? They (official) say, you pay the fees, and it will be reimbursed. Tell me, how will I pay Rs 14 lakh?"
Repeated attempts to contact secretary of higher education, Arushi Malik, and college education commissioner OP Bairwa for comments went unanswered. However, Virendra Sharma, joint director of the scholarship scheme, acknowledged the delay. "We have expedited the process of scrutinising applications," Sharma said. "With the resources available, we are working at full capacity. Hopefully, the next list will be released soon."
These stories highlight the growing frustration among students and parents. The absence of response from officials has become a source of stress, disappointment, and shattered dreams. TOI spoke with several students who detailed the chaos the delayed scholarships have caused. After years of hard work, preparation, and sleepless nights, bureaucratic inefficiencies are undoing their efforts. With academic sessions already underway, time is running out for those who were counting on the scholarship.
"We're left with no answers," said one student who secured admission to a top UK university. "Every day that passes are another lost opportunity."
As frustration mounts, students and their families are urging the state govt to act swiftly before it is too late. For now, the futures of many bright young students hang in the balance.