Editor,
For three months now, the research scholars at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) have been waiting anxiously for their fellowship – a crucial lifeline that helps them meet daily expenses and sustain their academic journey. The delay in disbursement has caused difficult circumstances, forcing us to depend on families, friends, or even small loans to continue research.
The university has delayed it because of an ongoing verification process to check if scholars are earning from other sources. While the intention is to ensure fairness, the prolonged delay has left many scholars caught in a dilemma.
“Every week I call home to ask for a little financial help, but even my family is struggling. I feel guilty, yet I cannot abandon my research halfway,” said a scholar. Another scholar said, “I had to borrow money just to buy chemicals for my experiment. It feels like research has become a burden rather than a passion.”
Behind these words lies a larger reality: research is not just intellectual work but also financial commitment. Fieldwork, laboratory materials, printing, and data analysis all require regular spending. Without timely fellowship support, many scholars feel their progress is slowing down, and their mental wellbeing is being affected.
The scholars of the university are appealing for faster processing and immediate release of pending fellowships. They emphasize that fellowship is a basic necessity that allows them to focus on their studies.
The situation at RGU is a reminder that nurturing research in India requires consistent financial support. Delays, no matter the reason, risk dimming the aspirations of young scholars who carry the promise of future knowledge and innovation.
Research scholars,
RGU