Scholarship in honour of TCK Lotha launched

TCK Foundation, a social and educational trust, initiated by Abeni TCK and the family members of late TCK Lotha, former chief secretary and minister, launched the TCK foundation scholarship for undergraduate studies at the LTC Hall, Wokha town on Wednesday.
A press release by TCK Foundation stated that the programme was graced by deputy chief minister, Y. Patton as guest of honour, who was TCK Lotha’s colleague in the Assembly of 1998.
Patton expressed happiness to the family members for launching a scholarship in honour of TCK Lotha.
He said late TCK Lotha of Tsungiki village of Wokha district was the first Lotha IAS officer from the Uttar Pradesh Cadre, 1964.
Born in a humble family he started his educational career in the village and finally managed to crack the UPSC exam in 1964.
Patton described Lotha as distinguished and refined statesman who served the state of Nagaland in various important positions during the difficult times of insurgency.
Since the scholarship was the first of its kind, he challenged the well-wishers to willingly come forward and contribute towards the activities of the trust.
In a brief welcome note, Abeni TCK Lotha said the TCK Foundation was a non-profit trust instituted by the family members in memory and legacy of TCK Lotha.
She said the foundation was for the propagation of the ideals of educational excellence, courageous leadership and societal responsibility with compassion that Lotha had exemplified in his distinguished service to the people of Nagaland as an administrator and political leader of the highest calibre.
She also highlighted on the main aims and objectives of the trust. The scholarship will provide Rs. 50,000 per annum to a chosen candidate during their undergraduate studies in any recognised field of education.
Also speaking at the event, Rev. Shan Kikon said the scholarship was a means of facilitating deserving candidates, who were unable to pursue higher education owing to financial constraints, with valuable financial support towards their undergraduate studies so as to enable them to achieve their desired life goals.
Since this was the first year of the launch, the first invitation has been opened to students from the Lotha community.
In the initial year (2023) two individuals will be chosen – male and female, for a duration of four years.
The support offered per student shall be Rs. 50,000 per annum, subject to fulfilment of the Foundation’s eligibility criteria. From the second year, the scholarship will be open to students from all the Naga tribe based in Nagaland.
Interested candidates may apply in the prescribed form available for download on the www.tcklothafoundation.org website.
The details of the scholarship and the eligibility criteria will also available on the website tcklothafoundation@gmail.com
All physical application forms with attached documents and copies must be sent at the address of the Foundation before June 30, 2023.
The programme was chaired by Khyochano TCK and invocation by pastor T. Mhao Kikon, from Tsungiki Baptist Church.
Messages from chief minister, Neiphiu Rio and former chief minister of Nagaland and governor, S.C. Jamir were also read to the gathering.
Another highlight of the programme was video messages by L. Colney (I.A.S. retd), former Chief Secretary Nagaland, R.S. Pandey (I.A.S. retd), former Chief Secretary Nagaland and Binod Kumar (I.A.S. retd) Nagaland, who were all colleagues of late T.C.K. Lotha.