Anantya Scholars Program

MahaBodh Foundation provides academic scholarships and mentoring to girls during their 8th grade classes, and also funds transportation, extra classes, and other needs for them to be successful in their academic careers. We also provide them mentoring and also connect them with other women in the society who can serve as inspiration to them.

Women’s education in India has often been neglected due to various reasons (religious, political, economic and social). Educating a girl is often considered ‘costly’, and due to the cultural tendency of women to be home-makers and the prevalent idea that women are inferior to men, it is considered ‘un-necessary’. As a result of these misconceptions, many girls only complete up to 8th standard of education (if they are permitted to go to school at all), and are then married off or begin working to provide income to their families. Unfortunately, lack of the schooling makes women and their families victims of perpetual abuse and exploitation – especially in circumstances when women are widowed or when they’re forced to fend for themselves and their families. Other causes preventing girls from going to school include fear of danger to girl’s safety on their way to school, as well as family pressure to pursue employment due to the household’s poor financial conditions.

MahaBodh Foundation provides academic scholarships and mentoring to girls during their 8th grade classes, and also funds transportation, extra classes, and other needs for them to be successful in their academic careers. We also provide them mentoring and also connect them with other women in the society who can serve as inspiration to them. MahaBodh Foundation provides up to Rs. 2500 a month for commuting students, and up to Rs. 5000 a month for boarding students for their educational needs. All donations provided to us, with minimal administrative costs, go directly towards serving our beneficiaries. No payments or funds are given directly to students or parents. All transactions are made directly to schools, and transportation providers.

All education concerns ranging from fees, to students’ academic performance are handled by our Program Manager Mrs. Shipra Singh. Additional staffing is done by Mr. Surendra Singh, who provides us field support in the Guraru region of Gaya.

When a girl is educated, she passes on her knowledge to others since the woman ensures education is provided to her family as well as her community members; also empowering women to be successful, and strong individuals capable of fending for themselves and withstanding the violations of the corrupt. They are able to seek many new avenues of growth and development for themselves and their families. A girl’s education is a tremendous advantage for all communities, and at Maha Bodh Foundation, we are dedicated to helping women, and their communities, fulfill their potential.

In providing education and mentorship, our goal is not just to change a life, but to create leaders who can step up to change their communities for the better. If you have ideas and suggestions on how we may further our program to achieve this, please contact us at info@MahaBodh.org

Selection Process

Applications for our scholarship program are distributed to girls in 8th grade in all middle schools of Gaya (Bihar). Upon submission of the application, all candidates and their parents are invited for interviews.

The following criteria are considered when processing students’ applications:

1) Desire to continue education

2) Family’s education status

3) Financial situation of family

4) Any conditions which may serve as challenges to a girl’s further education.

Students are notified within a week or two of the interview date for their selection. They may attend any school of their choosing (any language medium is fine) once admitted. For questions and concerns regarding the application process, please contact us at info@MahaBodh.org.

Current Scholars

MahaBodh Foundation currently funds the education of 14 girls. Below is a list of their names, where they are from, and their career aspirations.