Tribal student from Jharkhand bags a scholarship to study in the UK

Anjana Pratima Dungdung is one of the six tribal students from Jharkhand, a state in eastern India known for its waterfalls and elegant Jain temples, who is the recipient of the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Scholarship Scheme.

Because of this scholarship for Indians, she’s pursuing a postgraduate degree in international relations at the University of Warwick in the UK.

“The scholarship is a great move taken by the present government to help the students especially the tribals to showcase their talents and skill and uplift those around them,” Dungdung tells the Press Trust of India.

We talk to her about her the scholarship process and what it means for her to come from a tribal community in Jharkhand to pursue a postgraduate degree at the University of Warwick in the UK:

Walk us through your interest in international relations. 

One of the professors who taught us at college did her master’s in international relations. She was the one who motivated me to study the same thing for my postgraduate degree. 

What did you study before?

I’m a fresh graduate and recently completed my bachelor’s course in political science. 

Tell us more about this scholarship for Indians and what made you apply.

The Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Scholarship is awarded to selected tribal students who have their roots in Jharkhand. This scholarship for Indians is only granted for students to study in the UK and Northern Ireland. I wanted to apply because coming from a tribal community to studying at a prestigious uni is something to be admired. 

What was your application process like?

To apply for the scholarship, there were three things to keep in mind: to belong to any of the tribes in Jharkhand, to have a percentage above 45% in a bachelor’s degree, and to have an annual income that does not exceed 11, 700 pounds. 

For the uni admission, a letter of recommendation is very important as it varies from place to place. Some may ask for one or two and some, none. A personal statement and English language requirement are also necessary. 

What does your scholarship cover and how does it help you?

The scholarship for Indians covers all finances with the tuition fee paid directly to the uni. It also covers things like the annual maintenance allowance for local travel and includes the journey from home to the nearest airport to your designated institution. 

‘’Giving wings to the future of Jharkhand’’. A glimpse of Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship 2021 . @UKinIndia @UKinKolkata pic.twitter.com/7Lg53Dn5B6

— Office of Chief Minister, Jharkhand (@JharkhandCMO) September 23, 2021

Does your scholarship sponsor any events or research opportunities?

Yes, the scholarship also sponsors research but only in the field mentioned in the notification. 

What was the hardest and easiest part of the scholarship and uni application?

I can’t say that the process went smoothly because everything took a bit of time. For the uni admission and scholarship, writing a statement of purpose was the hardest thing for me as it was very time-consuming. 

It took me three months to come up with a complete personal statement. I won’t say that it was perfect but still better than the first draft which ended up in the trash. 

How did you overcome these challenges?

I did a lot of research on how to write a statement of purpose. This led me to read all the blogs and YouTube videos that provided information on how to write a personal statement.

What advice do you have for future students from Jharkhand who would like to apply for this scholarship for Indians?

Keep an eye on when the application opens and start preparing ahead!