JAMMU: A philanthropic Jammu family on Monday launched the Dulari Uppal Divyang Scholarship for Excellence to support hearing-impaired students from economically weaker backgrounds.
Under the initiative, five students will be selected every year on a poverty-cum-merit basis and awarded ₹7,400 each, taking the annual scholarship amount to ₹37,000.
Promoter Dulari Uppal will provide funds equivalent to 500 Singapore dollars every year for the scholarships, initially for three years, with provision for extension for another term. The family will also contribute an equal amount annually to the Samaj Kalyan Kendra for infrastructure development.
At the launch function, Uppal distributed certificates and cheques to five students — Arun Singh Manhas of Class IV, Kirti Angral of Class V, Rahul Bhandral of Class VII, Ritish Kumar of Class VIII and Sahil Kumar of Class X.
Two of the beneficiaries have lost their fathers, while the families of the other three face serious financial constraints.
The initiative has been inspired in part by the family’s own experience with hearing impairment. Uppal’s daughter Gauri Uppal, who moved to Singapore in 1973, has been associated with charitable and educational work for vulnerable youth and persons with hearing impairment.
Gauri established The Learning Farm 21 years ago as a free residential agricultural school to help vulnerable youth return to their villages and take up organic farming.
Her son Nihal, who was born deaf, underwent cochlear implantation and speech therapy before going on to study computer engineering at the University of Melbourne. He is currently working as a senior engineer with Disney in London.
The family, which traces its roots to Jammu, said its experience motivated it to support hearing-impaired children in the region through the Samaj Kalyan Kendra, which runs a school for such students up to Class XII free of cost.
Speaking on the occasion, Dulari Uppal said the scholarship was an effort to give back to Jammu, which she and her family continue to regard as home.
Referring to her grandson, she said his achievements had shown that disability need not limit ambition if children receive the right support, compassion and opportunity.
Addressing the students, Uppal said, “Your silence is not a limitation — it is just a different way of experiencing the world.” She encouraged them to work hard, dream big and remain courageous in pursuing their goals.
Earlier, Samaj Kalyan Kendra President K B Jandial welcomed Dulari Uppal and Gauri Uppal for instituting the scholarship and expressed hope that the initiative would continue in the years ahead.
He also recalled the 45-year journey of the School for the Hearing Handicapped, established by philanthropist Dr R R Khajuria, and said a new school building with modern facilities was expected to come up in about 18 months with support from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
General Secretary J K Vaid spoke about the challenges faced by the institution during its long journey and thanked the Uppal family for extending support to the students.
Vice Principal Neelam Sharma presented the vote of thanks.
Among those present were Vice President Brig (Retd) Dr Rakesh Khajuria, Prem Gupta, B B Magotra, Nisar Ahmad, O P Sharma, V K Padha and Principal Roshan Bhan.
