BANGALORE: A group professionals, old students of National High School and National College, will meet at their school on December 17, in an effort to give something back to an institution that has shaped their lives.It is the day of the formal launch of the Udyam Public Charitable Trust that they founded to identify and mentor under privileged and deserving Class 10 students of the 95-year-old National High School.“We are proud to be part of this great institution and wanted to give something back to it,” says Phanibhushan Sharma, a professional of the Class of 1977 and one of the trustees.Explaining Udyam’s concept, Sharma says, “We didn’t want to merely reward a meritorious student with cash like most school schemes do. Such students anyway have a good future. We wanted to seek out students who have the potential but could fade out for want of means. There is no one to take care of such students.”The trust has already started mentoring five students since June 2011.For the year 2011-2012, the school management selected 30 out of 550 students who were performing well in academics but had no means to pursue education. After an essay contest and a personal interview, five deserving students were shortlisted.“Some of our members made personal visits to the children’s homes to meet their families, who were living in pitiable conditions,” says Sharma, who adds that this personal meeting with parents was another aspect of Udyam.Another first from Udyam is the Udyam scholarship, where each student will be attached to a mentor.For instance, if a student is passionate about becoming a paediatrician, Udyam will identify a specialist paediatrician within or outside the trust who will guide the student all the way through to graduation.Kannada film star Ramesh Arvind, CEOs, accomplished doctors, engineers, businessmen, a scientist, who will demonstrate his invention, a flying machine, are likely to attend the meet.“The meet is also a way of showing how, a school of limited means, has produced such famous personalities,” says Sharma.The launch of Udyam USA will also be held on the occasion.
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