Wings of Hope Charitable Trust has introduced its first merit scholarship for conflict-affected students in Manipur to support uninterrupted education and academic excellence.
Imphal, July 5: The Wings of Hope Charitable Trust has launched its inaugural merit scholarship for academically outstanding students affected by the ethnic violence in Manipur, marking a new initiative to promote uninterrupted education for children impacted by the conflict.
The first Anil Mohan & Niharika Das Merit Scholarship for the 2026–27 academic year was awarded to Yumkhaibam Kelvin, son of Late Y. Kiran Kumar and Y. Basanti of Khumbong village in Imphal. The scholarship certificate was presented on July 1 by Trust volunteer Roboson.
According to the Trust, the annual scholarship will be awarded to the best-performing Class X student supported under its educational assistance programme who has successfully passed the Board examination and continues studies in Classes XI and XII.
Instituted in 2026, the scholarship honours the memory of Anil Mohan and Niharika Das, the late parents of the Trust's benefactors from Assam, retired IAS officers P.K. Chowdhary and Emily Das Chowdhary.
The Trust said the merit scholarship is separate from its existing monthly educational assistance and will support recipients throughout their Class XI and XII education. It aims to encourage students to pursue higher studies without financial constraints while recognising academic excellence.
The initiative comes as the Trust enters its third year of providing assistance to families affected by the ethnic violence that broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023. At present, it extends financial support to 35 widows and 58 students who were affected by the conflict.
According to the Trust, its humanitarian work is currently focused on three key areas—ensuring continuous education for orphans, semi-orphans and internally displaced children; promoting alternative livelihoods for widows and displaced families through skill development and micro-enterprise support; and providing humanitarian assistance to people affected by ethnic or communal violence and natural disasters, with special attention to Armed Forces veterans and their families.
The organisation said its programmes are guided by the principles of compassion, self-reliance, education and reconciliation, while remaining non-religious and apolitical.
Founder President Lt. Col. L. Manongba (Retd) thanked retired IAS officers P.K. Chowdhary and Emily Das Chowdhary for supporting the launch of the merit scholarship. He also expressed appreciation to donors and benefactors whose continued contributions have enabled the Trust to provide educational assistance and humanitarian support to vulnerable families.
The Trust reaffirmed its commitment to its mission of ensuring that "No Orphan Should Become a School Dropout" and to continuing its efforts to support children whose education has been disrupted by conflict.
