This Andhra Dalit Youth, First in Family to Earn Master’s, Seeks Government Help for PhD in UK

Prakasham,Andhra Pradesh – Joseph Ananda Paul Sandrapati, a Telugu Dalit student from Yerragonda Palem village, Prakasham District, has made a heartfelt appeal to the Andhra Pradesh Government, seeking financial assistance through the state’s overseas scholarship program. Sandrapati, who comes from a financially disadvantaged background, has been selected for a PhD program in History at the University of Lancaster in the UK, a prestigious institution recognized worldwide for its academic excellence.

As the first in his Dalit family to complete a master’s degree in history from the University of Hyderabad, Sandrapati is determined to pursue his higher education abroad despite significant economic challenges.

His doctoral research, titled “History of Sanitation in Colonial Andhra 1858-1947,” aims to explore the historical context of public health in colonial Andhra Pradesh, examining how pandemics and diseases were managed by both British Western medicine and indigenous medical practices.

Sandrapati’s research holds direct relevance to the welfare schemes of the Andhra Pradesh Government, as it seeks to provide insights into the public health landscape of the region during colonial times. He plans to delve into colonial Telugu documents to investigate various medical treatments used within indigenous efforts to address public health challenges.

However, the financial barriers to studying abroad remain insurmountable for Sandrapati. He cannot afford the tuition fees and maintenance costs required for his PhD program, making government support essential for his academic journey. Sandrapati has less than a month to secure an official letter from the Andhra Pradesh Government confirming sponsorship for his education, including tuition fees and maintenance costs. Without this support, his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study at the University of Lancaster may slip away.

“I urge the Education Minister Nara Lokesh Garu to expedite the overseas scholarship for underprivileged Dalit students like me,” Sandrapati said in his appeal. “This scholarship would enable me to achieve my dream of pursuing a PhD abroad, which is an impossible opportunity for a poor Telugu Dalit student like me without the government’s support.”

Sandrapati’s plea highlights the broader issue of access to higher education for economically disadvantaged students in India, particularly those from marginalized communities. As the deadline for his scholarship application looms, his hopes now rest on the empathy and swift action of the Andhra Pradesh Government.

For Sandrapati, earning a PhD is not just a personal milestone but a chance to contribute valuable knowledge to his community and support the welfare initiatives of his state. The young scholar’s appeal underscores the importance of government assistance in enabling underprivileged students to achieve their academic ambitions and break the cycle of poverty.