Monday, August 15 2005 17:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Recognising the supreme sacrifice made by the armed forces in maintaining internal peace in some troubled states, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Aug 15, 2005) announced scholarships, in college education, for 5,000 children of killed soldiers.

"Wherever conditions deteriorate, we take the assistance of our Armed Forces. Wherever we have taken their assistance, they have shown patience and perseverance. Many of them have lost their lives", he said addressing the nation on the occasion of 59th Independence Day today.

In order to ensure that the children of soldiers who have laid their lives in the service of the nation get good education, "we are starting a Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme", he said.

Each year 5,000 children would be provided scholarship for college education, Singh announced.