{
  "id": 16329340,
  "title": "Uyarvu Madani grants draw over 8,000 applications, far exceeding target",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/uyarvu-madani-grants-draw-over-8-000-applications-far-exceeding-target",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-24T13:38:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1562701/uyarvu-madani-grants-draw-over-8000-applications-far-exceeding-target"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Uyarvu Madani programme, run by the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra), has received over 8,000 applications for business grants, far exceeding the initial target of 700 recipients. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan stated that the strong response demonstrated demand among Indian entrepreneurs, particularly those from the B40 and M40 income groups. The programme, which offers grants of between RM20,000 and RM50,000, had an initial allocation of RM25 million. Ramanan attributed the surge in applications to the extended application period, as the original window was deemed too short. The minister expressed the need for greater support for Indian entrepreneurs and emphasized that the response would guide future program improvements based on community feedback. Mitra also provides various other assistance programs for the Indian community, including education, medical aid, and welfare support for senior citizens.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}