Annual Report 2013-14

Background:

The DISCON Vocational Loan Scholarship (VLS) Project was started in the year Rotary 2010-11 during the Presidentship of Milind Kanekar. It really took wings in 2012-13 during the tenure of Manmohan Agarwal. That year we funded 13 new and 2 earlier students with total amount of about 7.5 Lac Rupees. Our first student Archana Karode also started repayment in 2012-13.

Year 2013-14:

With the help of Rtn. Ravindra Ranade (RC Badlapur Industrial Area), news item about VLS was published in a quite many newspapers. He also took initiative to announce this project on Radio. Mr. Hemant Veera of Asiqui Shoes (with the help of Hon. Secretary Nilesh Chheda) graciously made their shop available as a Collection Centre for the application forms. Since it is located very near to Mulund Railway Station, it was very accessible and convenient for the students.

We received about 60 applications. from all over Mumbai, Thane and beyond.

The committee scrutinized the applications. 27 students were short-listed and called for a personal interview, along with their parents. 25 Students appeared for interview, which were held on 29^th September 2013, at SMPR School New Building. Open invitation was given to all the Club Members to attend these interviews. Many members participated in the process.

17 students were selected for receiving the scholarship. Following points were also taken care of, when selecting the students.

· Variety of Vocational Streams (Not Just Engineering or Medicine)

· Different durations of Courses (1, 1.5, 2,3 and 4 years)

· Academic Record was not the only criteria. Overall family background and suitability for assistance was considered.

· Preference was given to courses with normal fees (rather than courses where fees was quite high), so that more number of students can be accommodated.

A list of these students was prepared and circulated among the Club Members. Their response was generous and spontaneous. Within 15 days of the announcement, the amount of promised donations, exceeded the target.

The students were handed over the Scholarships, during our club meeting on 12^th November 2013. Dr. Suhas Pednekar, Principal, Ruia College was the Chief Guest of the function.

A get together of all our VLS students was held on 30^th June 2014. It was attended by many of our members. Each student informed about her/his progress during 2013-14. They also interacted informally with our members.

Milestones in 2013-14:

· Our Student Dinesh Sawant, who completed B.E. in Information Technology got employment in Banglore. Right from his first salary, Dinesh has been diligently transferring a fixed repayment amount directly to the Trust Account. His repayment during 2013-14 will now finance the education of 2-3 students during 2014-15. Good Work Dinesh ! We are all proud of you.

· Another student Sonam Howal has completed her course from Don Bosco Hospitality Institute. She has secured employment. She too has expressed her desire to start repayment.

· Latikesh Sutar passed his First Year in Animation. He too got a job and he is working hard to do justice to this opportunity.

· Lavanya Gawandalkar completed Second Year of Diploma with pointer 8.9 Pointer (Equivalent to 89%)

· Babu Teli secured 82% Marks in Third Year Mechanical Engineering Degree from Datta Meghe College. He stood first in his class.

· Avinash Abhale secured 72% Marks in Second Year Electrical Engineering Degree Course. He further improved his rank to stand Second in his class. He was awarded Silver Medal by his college.

· Total Cumulative Funding provided to students under DISCON VLS Project so far has crossed Rs.19 Lac.

· We received District Grant of the Rotary Foundation of Rs.74,750/- (Equivalent to $1150), thanks to DG Lata Subraidu.

The Road Ahead:

Members of Our Club have expressed their appreciation for this project and encouraged us to go forward. The requirement of Funds for 2014-15 will be Approx. 19,00,000/-. Out of this amount, about Rs.11,50,000 is needed for giving Scholarship to students from Earlier Year. The balance is needed for new students to be selected in 2014-15. The committee has appealed to the members to confirm their donations as last year and increase it if possible. However, we are also approaching other donors for help.