From 2001 to 2007, only 45 applicants from West Bengal have been awarded the fellowships. The number is 112 for Delhi and 65 for Maharashtra.

From 2001 as many as 182 applicants have been given the fellowships from the northern region and 114 from the southern region, while the number for the eastern region stands at a paltry 71.

“Though the number of Indian students is 85,000 in the US, it is sad to see that the number from Kolkata is so low,” said Moulik Berkhana of the American Center.

Delving into the reasons that might have kept students of West Bengal from applying for the fellowship, regional officer Sunrit Mullick said that it could be lack of ambition among the students.

He said that the people here seem to be satisfied with their current careers, moreover, the principals and teachers in various institutions do not guide students for similar fellowships.