Suniti Scholars Program Launched to Empower Vulnerable Young Women in India Through Education
YRGMERF Headquarters, Chennai,Rongili Barta: On the 10th anniversary of Dr. Suniti Solomon’s passing, the YR Gaitonde Medical Educational and Research Foundation (YRGMERF) announces the launch of the Suniti Scholars Program—a landmark initiative to support higher education for vulnerable young women, impacted by HIV, across Northeast India. This program honors the legacy of Dr. Suniti Solomon, India’s pioneering HIV physician and founder of YRGCARE, by turning her vision of education-led empowerment into reality.
A Purposeful Vision for Equity in Education and Health: Supporting 86 Scholars in 2025
Launching in 2025-26, the pilot program will award 86 scholarships—mirroring Dr. Solomon’s age this year—to young women including transwomen aged 25 or younger from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. Each scholar will receive:
- INR 1,00,000 per year for tuition, books, and living expenses
- INR 50,000 (one-time) for digital learning tools
- Personalized mentorship and counseling for holistic growth
One new scholar will be added every year to sustain the legacy (87 in 2026, 88 in 2027, and so on).
Dr. Suniti believed that education was a powerful tool to fight both stigma and inequality. This program is a tribute to that belief,” said Dr. Sunil Suhas Solomon, Chairperson, YRGMERF. The program will uphold strict transparency and fairness. Eligibility will be confidentially verified through ART centres and trusted NGOs.
Applicants must have completed Grade XII (for undergraduate study) or a bachelor’s degree (for postgraduate study), secured admission to a recognized institution, and demonstrated financial need through a 500-word personal statement. An independent committee—completely autonomous from YRGMERF—will oversee selection, with the process publicly documented to ensure integrity.
Applications for the program will be accepted between 15 and 25 August 2025, and the final list of selected scholars will be announced on 14 October 2025, Dr. Suniti Solomon’s birth anniversary. Scholarships will be disbursed on 1 December 2025 (World AIDS Day).
An Invitation to Collaborate: YRGMERF invites government agencies, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and the media to join this mission:
- Spread awareness about the Suniti Scholars Program to reach eligible applicants.
- Lend expertise to the advisory process.
- Collaborate to scale the program in the years ahead.
This is not just a scholarship program—it’s a movement to restore hope, dignity, and opportunity to young women too often left behind,” added the YRGMERF team.
For partnerships, media inquiries, or to support outreach efforts, please contact:
info@yrgcare.org
www.yrgcare.org