Stalin honours ISRO scientists with cash rewards

Chief Minister M K Stalin announced a significant cash reward of Rs 25 lakh each for nine distinguished space scientists hailing from the state. Among the recipients is the renowned former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairperson, K. Sivan, whose contributions have not only made Tamil Nadu proud but have also significantly contributed to the nation’s space endeavors. This generous gesture by Chief Minister Stalin serves to acknowledge the exceptional contributions of these scientists in advancing India’s capabilities in space exploration and research. Their unwavering dedication and groundbreaking work have propelled India onto the global space stage, earning the nation respect and recognition. Furthermore, Stalin announced the initiation of a scholarship program aimed at supporting nine engineering students currently pursuing their undergraduate degrees. These scholarships will be extended with financial assistance from the government and will be granted under the provision of the 7.5% reservation for government school students. Remarkably, these scholarships will be named after the nine distinguished ISRO scientists from Tamil Nadu, commemorating their enduring legacy and contributions. The scholarships will cover not only tuition fees but also hostel fees, ensuring that talented and deserving students have the opportunity to pursue higher education without financial constraints. To ensure the fairness and transparency of the selection process, an expert panel will be constituted to evaluate and choose the candidates who will benefit from this scholarship program. This approach guarantees that the most deserving students will receive support to realize their academic aspirations. In an effort to provide a sustainable source of funding for these scholarships, Chief Minister Stalin announced the establishment of a corpus fund amounting to Rs 10 crore. This fund will not only facilitate the current scholarship program but