Wipro arm offers scholarships to girls in three southern states

Bengaluru: 'Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting' would offer scholarships for higher education to girls from economically weaker families in three southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, the company said on Saturday.

"About 900 girls from the three states will be given 3-year Santoor women's scholarship, with Rs 24,000 per annum to pursuit under-graduation," said the city-based privately-held company in a statement. Santoor is the leading brand name of Wipro's toilet soap.

The company initiated the annual programme in 2016 in collaboration with 'Wipro Cares' to financially support underprivileged girls for completing under-graduation. The scholarship will be used for tuition fees and expenses incidental to education.

In the last two years, 1800 young women benefited from the scholarship to become graduates.

"Girls who pass 12th class from a state-run school or college and secure admission in a recognized degree course will quality for the scholarship," said the statement.

Students can apply for the scholarship on www.santoorscholarships.com till September 15 or in state-run colleges across the three states.

"The scholarship is an attempt to empower women to change their life and the world. Enrolment ratio of women pursuing higher education in the country is low and many give up higher study due to lack of financial support," said Wipro Consumer Care Chief Executive Anil Chugh in the statement.

About 60 per cent of the scholarship is earmarked to encourage students to study humanities, liberal arts, and sciences. About 50 per cent of the scholarships are reserved for applicants from the backward districts in the three southern states.