Impact Stories

Once upon a time, there lived a girl named Shalaka. She was bright, cheerful, intelligent and smart. She had dreams to be successful and the desire to succeed. Shalaka loved to study and had big dreams. Shalaka’s dream to pursue a Master’s degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering hit a financial roadblock.

Her father worked in a bank and her mother is a home-maker.

Refusing to be a victim of limited finances, she applied for the LPF Scholarship and got selected. She was accepted into the University of Michigan, USA for their Master's Program.

A far cry from her humble beginnings, Shalaka now works with Google, as a Lead for their Category Management in USA.

Shalaka is also an investor in LPF Family Cares – A Giving Circle Program and contributes monetarily to support girls’ education.

Neelu grew up in an era, where the role of a woman, was limited to cooking and cleaning. Women in the workforce was a new phenomenon. Neelu was determined to break the stereotype by pursuing a career in Microbiology.

>While Neelu worked hard towards achieving her goals, the lack of finances was an issue. Neelu’s parents are no more and she stays with her brother.

Not the one to give up on her academic pursuits, a determined Neelu applied for the LPF Scholarship and got selected.

A post-doctorate in Microbiology and working with Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics), as a Professor. Neelu has been an active contributor to LPF, as she believes in giving back and help someone else like her to follow their academic pursuits.

Intelligent and strong-willed, Priti wanted to passionately pursue her dream of having a Master's Degree in Personnel Management and work in a respectable position. A daughter of a retired Army Man, Priti remained resilient and determined to pursue a career in HR. Priti’s choice of subject for a Master’s Degree was indeed an unconventional, as girls her age were more driven towards a career in the scientific field.

Coming from a middle-class background with limited finances spelled hard times for her dreams. Priti, however, was unhinged and remained focused. She applied for the LPF Scholarship and got selected. As the years went by, Priti had achieved her dream of becoming successful, she heads the HR Department at DUA Associates.

Standing true to her commitment to LPF, Priti has been an investor at LPF Family Cares – A Giving Circle Program and contributes monetarily to support girls’ education.

Chirpy yet shy, Supriya was a far cry from the successful woman she is today. Studious and intelligent, she wanted to pursue a degree in Medical Sciences. Supriya had everything, the desire to work hard, study long hours and pursue a career that was laced with making life-changing decisions in a split second.

What she didn’t have was the financial backing. Her father was self-employed but his income wasn’t enough to let Supriya pursue her dreams. Resilient, Supriya applied for the LPF Scholarship and got selected. Having successfully fulfilled her wish of pursuing a degree in Medical Sciences, she works as a Specialist in Breast Imaging at Princess Margaret Cancer Hospital in Toronto, Canada

Supriya has always believed in helping those, who need it the most. She has actively contributed to the LPF Family Cares- A Giving Circle Program monetarily, so she too can be there for someone who needs it the most.

Coming from a middle-class south Indian family based in Pune, Chandrika always had the best of both worlds. A gifted student, her parents always encouraged her to study hard. Everything in her life was going just fine, until that one fateful day.

Chandrika’s father lost his job and the financial responsibility of Chandrika and her family was taken on by her mother. Life was not easy but Chandrika was determined.

While in 8^th grade, Chandrika started taking tuitions of students from her school. Not wanting to be a burden on her parents, this was her way of contributing to the household expenses.

Strong headed and dedicated, Chandrika wanted to work hard and give her parents the happiness they deserved. Knowing that her family couldn’t support her educational pursuits any further, she applied for the LPF Scholarship and got selected.

A far cry from the 8^th grader, Chandrika successfully pursued a Master’s degree in Computer Science. She is working with TCS, USA as a Client Director.

A do-gooder, Chandrika has been a regular investor to the LPF Family Cares- A Giving Circle Program and supporting girls’ education.

Vijaya had the desire to become an Engineer, coming from a family with limited income from her father’s job in the private sector, her dream seemed distant.

She applied for the LPF scholarship and got selected. Today, Vijaya is working as an Apprentice in SKODA AUTO Volkswagen India. Vijaya has always been a sincere and hardworking professional.

Her efforts have won her recognition from the Managing Director of SKODA AUTO Volkswagen India, Mr. Gurpratap Boparai.

A bright and intelligent girl, Ankita knew from the beginning that if she ever had to pursue her graduation, it would have to be on her merit.

Growing up in a large family, meant sacrifices, both financially as well as personally. Ankita’s father works in a private firm but his income was not sufficient to support Ankita’s academic pursuits. Ankita’s parents were aware of their daughter’s potential and so they pushed Ankita to pursue an Engineering Degree.

Not letting the limited finances get in the way of her academic pursuits, she applied for the LPF Scholarship

Today, Ankita has not only completed her graduation but also working in a reputed company like Accenture.

These are the words that have led Kritika on a path of working hard and staying focused. Sometimes having only, the inclination to study and be successful is not enough. One must have the support and financial backing to do so.

Her father’s meagre salary from a private job wasn’t enough. With many mouths to feed, he could not support Kritika's education. Given the circumstances, she could see the sadness in her father's eyes. It hurt her and almost made her give up her dream.

She applied for the LPF Scholarship and got selected. She got to learn and use so many important skills. This led her to work with Amdocs in the capacity of a Software Tester.

Ever since Praniti was a little girl, she was immensely hardworking and sincere. With the world in her eyes, Praniti had the dreams to make it big as an Engineer.

Studious and intelligent, Praniti began writing her path to success. Everything was going well for Praniti, she had good grades and she passed her 12^th grade from a reputed college in the city. What Praniti didn’t have however was the financial backing, her father works as a Site Supervisor and her mother is a home-maker.

With limited family income, Praniti had a tough road ahead of her. Knowing something had to be done, she applied for the LPF Scholarship, she got selected and there has been no looking back since then.

Today Praniti is employed with Michelin India Pvt. Ltd. as an Exterior Geometrical Design Engineer.

Life was not fair to Mayuri, from the beginning itself. Intelligent but shy and timid, Mayuri had dreams but no voice of her own. Growing up with a single parent, kept Mayuri away from a life of comfort and opportunities.

Determined not to let the adversities in her life affect her, she applied for the LPF Scholarship to support her dreams of becoming an Engineer and giving herself and her mother, the respectful life that they deserve.

Mayuri was selected for the LPF Scholarship. Today Mayuri is pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers, from AISSMS College of Engineering, Pune

Growing up in a farming family, Pallavi’s dreams were far-far away from what had so far been the norm in her village. Girls here were only meant to help their mothers in the farms and the kitchen.

Having their dreams and aspirations came secondary to these little girls. That is when Pallavi’s parents were convinced by the school principal and LPF Team to let her appear for the LPF Scholarship Interview.

Then in 7^th grade, Pallavi along with her parents was interviewed and she was selected as a LILA Junior in the 1^st ever batch. Becoming an Engineer was her dream, hence in 11^th grade, Pallavi took on Science as her major.

Today she is pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

These were the words of a determined mother, who wanted to give her daughter the happiness, confidence and education, she rightfully deserved.

The interaction with the school authorities led Pritika and her mother to LPF Scholarship; and she got selected. Pritika’s parents have been separated and it is her mother, who has raised her single-handedly.

With her mother’s and LPF’s support, Pritika is pursuing a Certification Course in Radiology and is looking forward to leading a respectable and productive life.

Mariyum’s parents remember these words even today. A bright and focused student, Mariyam was aware of the cultural and societal stereotypes that followed her.

Not shying away from the stereotypes and coming from financially challenged background as her father is a Tailor and her mother is a home-maker, her parents encouraged and supported their daughter to go to school and follow her dreams. A chance encounter with the LPF Team brought Mariyam and her parents to the Lila Poonawalla Foundation.

They applied for the scholarship in 7^th grade and Mariyam got selected. Mariyam’s dream of studying further was turning into a reality. A reality which her parents very much wanted.

Mariyam has not only completed her junior college, she is now pursuing BHMS and wants to work as a Doctor of Homeopathy.

Chirpy and smart, Zarifa, comes from a large loving family which as her father, who is an auto rickshaw driver and her mother who is a home-maker along with her siblings.

An intelligent girl, Zarifa had everything, a loving family, a good support system and a good school. What she didn’t have was the financial backing.

The lack of finances led her to apply for the LPF Scholarship in 7^th grade, for which she was selected. Zarifa’s life was no longer the same. The scholarship gave her the opportunities, she otherwise couldn’t have.

Now in the 12^th grade, Zarifa aims to study hard and become a doctor.

Little Kesar, a beautiful girl with big dreams. Growing up in a large family, with a small income from her parents’ saree shop, meant Kesar’s dream of becoming successful had to take a backseat.

Coming from a community where a woman’s role is secondary to that of a man, Kesar and her family had a lot of challenges to fight. Positive and focused, Kesar came out strongly.

Having heard about the LPF School Scholarship, her parents applied when Kesar was in 7^th grade. They along with Kesar were interviewed.

With getting selected for the LPF Scholarship, Kesar now has plenty of opportunities to prove her metal.

After completing her schooling and junior college, Kesar wants to be a doctor and serve her community.