LPF awards scholarships to 590 new girls

2/12/2019

PUNE: In the recently concluded 24th award function in Pune, Lila Poonawalla Foundation (LPF) awarded grant scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.These scholarships are given to meritorious and financially challenged girls in Pune district.

Two grand celebrations were held in a single day where 590 girls were felicitated with the scholarship awards in various streams like Bachelor's in Engineering, Engineering after Diploma, Nursing, Pharmacy, Science and Post-Graduation. Both the functions had distinguished personalities as chief guests and two Lila fellow alumni as guest of honour.

Since its inception 24 years ago, LPF has supported and empowered over 9300 girls. 

On this occasion, Padma Shri Lila Poonawalla, Chairperson of LPF, began her inaugural message by conveying to the audience about the importance of educating their daughters. She emphasized the purpose of education is to convert mirrors into the windows and windows into the doors. This would allow the girls to not only look internally but also would make them look outside horizons, go out and conquer the world.

She thanked the corporate partners and donors for their continuous support over the years and for believing in the mission of LPF.  Chief Guest for morning session, Piroja Mehta, Advisory Board Member – IIMPACT, Financial Analyst & Consultant praised the parents of the girls who have encouraged and supported their children despite the hardships at home. She further spoke about the ripple effect, a working girl can create within her family, the society she lives in and the country at large.

Chief Guest for the afternoon session Giovanni Valent, VP – Holding & MD, Atlas Copco (India) Ltd., a long-standing partner of LPF, spoke about the importance of taking relevant steps to ensure that Corporate Partners Should not just limit themselves to providing financial assistance, but also they should organize training workshops and mentor these girls, that play a crucial role in their development and enhance their employability skills.

Guests of Honor for the occasion Dr. Rajani Panchang, Recipient LPF PG Scholarship in - 2000, DST SERB Scientist & Assistant Professor at SPPU and Aparna Dharma, Recipient LPF PG scholarship in - 1999, Entrepreneur, spoke in unison about the importance of education for all, and the role that LPF played, in their academic growth. They also spoke to the girls about their life, pre and post LPF and how the Training Programs helped them.