Bhubaneswar, Feb 27(Agency) Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday launched the Nua-O scholarship scheme for students in Odisha. The scheme was launched in Sambalpur, Angul and Deogarh in a programme participated by Chairman 5T and Nabin Odisha Kartik Pandian. Speaking on the occasion, Pandian said this transformational initiative under 5T will deeply impact higher education and empower the youth to achieve their dreams. All eligible students will get the scholarship amount in their bank accounts by March 5, he said Pandian conveyed the message of the Chief Minister that the state government will make all efforts to provide support to meritorious aspiring students to get the best of higher educational facilities. Apart from the scholarship, the Chief Minister, he said, would also launch a smart card system for the students – to be known as Nabin Odisha Magic Card.
The state government will invite applications from March 5th and cards will be handed over on August 15. This Magic card will have a points-based system which will be categorised into silver, gold and platinum cards depending on the students’ academic performance, discipline, extracurricular activities and social work. This will be a unique initiative of the Chief Minister to provide benefits to students like bus/train concession, phone recharge, wifi access, online courses, career counseling, Pandian said. As many as 28,112 eligible students from three districts on Monday received the scholarship worth about Rs 28 crores.