New Delhi: Panasonic India today announced its first batch of “Panasonic Ratti Chhatr Scholarship program, an initiative to provide financial aid to talented undergraduate students across all IITs (Indian Institute of Technology). A felicitation ceremony was hosted to award the scholarships to the winners at an event in New Delhi. The event was presided over by Chief Guest, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Science and Technology (India), Member of Parliament.

The Scholarship Program identifies and recognizes a pool of talented youth who are the potential future leaders of the country. Under the program, Panasonic India has selected 30 eligible undergraduates from the IITs and to encourage them to pursue higher education. The objective of the program is to provide financial assistance and support to the youth from low income groups and help them in getting quality education, and catalyze the growth of domestic talent and innovation. The program,

Panasonic’s mission as a socially responsible corporate is also to devote itself to the development of the society. Keeping in line with this commitment, the Ratti Chhatr Scholarship has been in effect in India since 2009, aimed at providing equal opportunity and access to deserving students. The program was for Masters Students from IIT aimed at building a cadre of experts in technological innovation. Since its launch, eight scholars have enrolled for the Master’s course in Japan, and three graduates from the 2009 batch were hired by leading multinationals in Japan last year.

Panasonic believes in promoting empowerment and supporting the government’s initiatives of “Make in India” and “Digital India”. To make these campaigns successful, Skills Development is the need of the hour which Panasonic wants to facilitate through this program.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Government of India said,” A country like India, having the largest young population in the world, must be better equipped in preparing human resources. To enable the skill and creativity of young Indians to spur national progress, we require not only a sound education system but host of opportunities to encourage the country’s meritorious students by giving scholarships and self-help schemes. I congratulate Panasonic India for the successful implementation and culmination of ‘Ratti Chhatr’ Scholarship program, its efforts towards improving education and livelihoods, and supporting community development.

Talking about the program, Mr. Manish Sharma, President CEAMA and Managing Director, Panasonic India & South Asia said, “Panasonic holds a strong belief to provide an equal opportunity for all, especially in a country as diverse as India. The future of our country lies in the hands of the youth and it’s our responsibility to invest in their growth. The Ratti Chattr Scholarship is one of Panasonic’s most progressive programs, which strives to create experts by providing young Indian talent from economically weaker sections with financial assistance. We hope to make a difference with this initiative and inspire the next great Indian success story. We want to make India self-sufficient by developing the right talent that will promote all-round development and make the country a global hub for manufacturing and technology. By supporting knowledge seeking within India, we hope to encourage the localization of Indian talent as well. Over the past six years, the scholarship has gathered incredible momentum, and we only strive to better ourselves.”

Giving details of the program, Ms. Radhika Kalia, Head, Corporate Affairs & CSR, Panasonic India said, “Through the scholarship program, Panasonic will reach out to 120 students in next four years’ time, wherein 30 new students will be selected every year – from across different IITs. The scholarship is unique in its impetus for domestic higher education by financially aiding students’ Bachelor degrees at the Indian Institutes of Technology. Panasonic India aims to select students through several qualification tests that are designed for testing IQ, analytical and mathematical skills and competency in vocational and written skills, and contribute to the community by providing the bright and outstanding students an opportunity to gain the support and access to higher education in India’s prestigious institute.”