Rajasthan: Minority communities get stipends to learn foreign languages

The state government has launched a scheme that will offer students who enrol a montly stipend of Rs 1500. This scheme is intended to help youngsters from minority communities in Rajasthan learn English and foreign languages, said Minority Affairs Minister Saleh Mohammad.

The Chief Minister Minority Language Efficiency and Communication Skills Development Scheme, which was introduced by the department of minority affairs in partnership with the Rajasthan Knowledge Corporation, has started its first round of applications, he added. Due to the candidates’ enthusiastic response, the deadline for applications has also been extended from 10 April to 25 April.

Talking to the media, Saleh Mohammad said under the scheme, youth from the minority community would be taught languages like English, French, German, Arabic, Persian, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese.

“The benefits of the government’s ambitious scheme will not only be restricted to youth from the Muslim community but the youth of Jain, Sikh, Christian and Buddhist communities who come under the criteria of minority section in Rajasthan will also be enrolled in the course,” the minister added.

According to the ministry, applicants must be between the ages of 18 to 45 and have at least an Intermediate degree in order to join in the course.
Currently, a budget of Rs. 2 crore has been set aside for the programme, and in the initial phase, 800 individuals will be enrolled in the course. However, the minister stated that if the number of interested people rises, funding and seats will also rise.