Abhay Shankar and Anupama A Saharan with associate dean, BIT-Mesra, Manju Bhagat in Ranchi. Telegraph picture

Ranchi, Aug. 3: Two students of a capital cradle will no longer have to worry about their educational expenses. A US-based company will fulfil their dreams.

Anupama A. Sharan and Abhay Shankar, both third-year students of BIT-Mesra, have bagged the Cargill Global Scholarship in the inaugural year of the programme. Anupama of biotechnological department and Abhay of electrical and electronics are now part of the Cargill Global Scholars network and will receive $2,500 each every year for the next three academic sessions.

Cargill, working with the Institute of International Education, launched this scholarship programme in five countries — Brazil, China, India, Russia and the US — to help build future potential leaders.

Sources in BIT-Mesra said Anupama and Abhay outdid over 500 candidates from across the country to make it to the final 10 Cargill global scholars cohort from India.

Jamshedpur boy Abhay hails from a humble background. His academic career, however, has been excellent. His resume also boasts co-curricular activities.

“It was a tedious journey starting from February when we filed online applications. Then we were called for personal interview. Finally, in the last week of July, the shortlisted candidates attended a three-day leadership seminar in Gurgaon,” said Abhay, whose father is a foreman at Tata Steel and mother homemaker.

Anupama’s parents, on the other hand, are based in Nagpur, though their roots are in Bihar. Already into public speaking, Anupama has got the opportunity to develop her leadership qualities further.

“The aim of a Cargill scholar is to develop future leaders. This aspect appeals to me the most,” Anupama told The Telegraph.

The duo have been assigned a mentor each from Cargill, who will help them identify short and long-term academic and professional goals and achieved the same.

Both Anupama and Abhay are now looking forward to be among the chosen five from India, who will attend a week-long seminar at one of Cargill’s global locations.

Final-year student Nitin Gupta, who is also the president of the news and publication society, said it was a pride moment for the institute.