Confederation of Alumni for National Law Universities (CAN Foundation) established by the alumni of National Law Indian University Bhopal, has spread its wings throughout the countries and has students from multiple National Law Universities of India. The Foundation strives at assisting both students and graduates who while are meritorious but, are held back on account of their financial constraints. Consequently, the Foundation has a swelling list of initiatives which range from providing monthly scholarships to conducting quality level Online Sessions by renowned luminaries from the Legal fraternity.
Different projects undertaken by CAN have directly or indirectly influenced the lives of many students. Of those initiatives undertaken by CAN, Project Eklavya and Project Dhananjay are two key projects, which have empowered numerous students to pursue their education and build a strong foundation for their careers in the field of Litigation. Project Dhanajay, ambitious in its nature, seeks to provide financial aid to graduates from NLUs which allows them to weave a career in the field of Litigation. Earlier this year, 4 financially handicapped graduates from some of the NLUs of the country were accorded a monthly scholarship stipend for the academic year 2020-21 under Project Dhananjay. The students were selected after undergoing a rigorous and thorough scrutiny process conducted by a High Powered Panel of Judges and Senior Advocates of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
Project Eklavya, on the other hand, seeks to lift and impact deserving, but underprivileged, students by providing them an annual scholarship that facilitates them in attaining education at premier NLUs of the nation. In the academic session 2019-2020, under the 1st edition of the Project, 12 students were given a scholarship of Rs. 14,00,000 /- per annum. With the same drive this year as well, CAN Foundation is all set to go ahead with the 2nd edition of Project Eklavya for the academic year 2020-21.
The Selection Procedure for Project Eklavya has meticulously and diligently designed keeping in mind the authenticity as well as the significance of the Project. There will be a 2-tier process, wherein the applications shall undergo a strict scrutiny by both the Committees, that would comprise eminent legal professionals. The students will further be shortlisted by a carefully nominated Tier -1 Scrutiny Committee of Experts, post which the applications would be carefully verified and examined by a 3 member High Powered Panel.
Tier 1 Scrutiny Committee shall comprise of eminent young faces of the legal fraternity having a minimum standing of 10 years at the Bar. It consists of Ms. Pragati Neekhra (AOR, SCI), Mr. AmalpushpShroti (AOR, SCI & Advocate, MPHC), Mr. Rishad Ahmed Chouwdhury (AOR, SCI & Advocate, Delhi HC), Mr. Divyakant Lahoti (AOR, SCI & Advocate, Delhi High Court), Mr. Mrigank Prabhakar (AOR, SCI & Advocate, Delhi High Court) &Ms. Suhasini Sen (AOR, SCI & Delhi High Court).
The 3-Membered High Powered Selection Committee, this year will be headed by Mr. Justice Kurian Joseph (Former Judge, Supreme Court of India), with Mr. Dayan Krishnan, Senior Advocate & Mrs. Madhavi Goradia Divan, Senior Advocate.
Primarily, the Minimum Eligibility criterion for attaining the scholarship benefit under Project Eklavya requires the student to be of an NLU undergrad with a minimum of 65% aggregate/average marks in the last three semesters. The Annual Cumulative Family Income (of Father, Mother, unmarried brother or sister) shall not exceed Rs. 8,00,000 per year including the current financial year. The detailed Application Form with the instructions for Project Eklavya 2020 is available and can be accessed at the official website of CAN FOUNDATION ( HERE).
For funding its Eklavya scholarship programme, 2020 the Foundation shall be acquiring donations from Eminent Senior Advocates, members of Legal fraternity and Alumni Base of the respective Universities from where the nominated Eklavya Scholars shall be pursuing their law degrees from.
The members of the CAN Foundation repose their utmost faith in noble virtues of charity and loyalty. Under the aegis of an inspiring and distinguished Board of Advisors and Patrons, the Foundation has made remarkable strides since its inception.
