A schoolteacher handed over scholarships to students in memory of her late brother, who was also a teacher.

The scholarship had started with one student in 2019. In 2024, it was given to 23 students. “My brother was a teacher and I wanted to continue his legacy of education. I want to help students who are meritorious but struggling to continue with their education because of financial challenges,” said Joeeta Basu, economics teacher at St Xavier’s Collegiate School.

Her brother, Joydeep Roy, would have turned 36 on April 11, when she handed out the scholarships.

Joydeep was an MTech in computer science and a teacher in Chamba in Uttarakhand. He died in 2018.

“But over the years, I have seen people come forward to help out with scholarships. Every year, the number of people who want to help students is going up, which shows that people care. I call them ambassadors of education,” said Joeeta.

In 2024, among the beneficiaries are six visually challenged students, who completed their graduation and are now preparing for college.

Another beneficiary is Nabanita Bairagi, a Class X student and one of the top performers in her school. Her father is a tailor.

Two girls, Barsa Hazra and Rimpa Hazra, have been given scholarships not only for academics but for football.

“I was initially in two minds because they are not academically brilliant but they are playing football and excelling in it,” said Basu.