Lila Poonawalla Foundation Leading Indian Ladies Ahead

About Us

Lila Poonawalla Foundation (LPF) is an Educational Trust in India with a vision to contribute to the empowerment of Indian women by supporting academically outstanding and financially challenged girls, through Scholarship to pursue higher education.

State of Education of Girls in India

India has one of the lowest female literacy rate in the world with over 200 million illiterate women. Only 4.5% of Indias population has access to college education and only 1% of which are women. Percentage of women getting higher education from rural areas is much lower than urban areas. Most working women employed in agricultural and informal sectors and very few in highly skilled professions.

Barriers in Education of Girls

Socio-cultural barriers in Indian society Patriarchial Society focuses on male heir and considers women to be dead investment as she is supposed to be married off. Perception - Drain on family resources due to dowry Engagements of girl children in domestic work & farm work. Norms of early marriage restrict girls from pursuing college education. Pursuing post graduation studies and chalking out a successful career remains a distant dream for many

Education leads to Empowerment The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.
Education is an undisputed tool of empowerment
Education plays an important role in shaping and flourishing the capacities of girls at an individual level. It enables her to gain more knowledge about the world and helps to reclaim her space in social life. It gives her a voice, a tool to get status, self esteem and inner strength to face challenges in life. With education, a girl gains increased level of articulation, economic independence, knowledge and awareness about health, nutrition, reproductive rights, law and literacy.

Lila Poonawalla : Pioneer of the foundation

Coming from a difficult background, she rose to great heights in her career due to sheer determination and hard work.

"I learnt to stand up for myself and for my rights. I learnt how to be a fighter and not to quit even in a male-dominated household We were not very welloff then. And although my brothers had to take up a job to support the family, my mother impressed upon me, never to compromise on my education.

"I want to motivate women to step into the world with confidence and encourage them to meet the challenges."

Lila Poonawalla: Pioneer of the Foundation

The first woman CEO in Indias business history The first female, mechanical engineering student at the Government College of Engineering, Pune Padmashree Lila Poonawalla is the pioneer as well as the driving force behind the Foundation. She continues to work as a board member with different companies. Mrs. Poonawalla recognized the need of providing financial assistance to young, deserving girls for their higher education. With the generous support of the Rausing Family, owners of the Tetra Laval Group Worldwide, she laid the groundwork of Lila Poonawalla Foundation in 1994, and started scholarships from 1996.

Lila Poonawalla Foundation

Leading Indian Ladies Ahead 1. The Lila Poonawalla Foundation (LPF) was started in 1996. 2. Since its inception, Foundation has supported 1331 deserving girls for their education in India & Abroad. 1. Foundation has introduced scholarship for engineering students for their 4 year program. 2. 178 deserving girls have been gifted this scholarship 1. Foundation launched another scholarship program for Graduation in Pure Sciences. 144 scholarships have been awarded to deserving girls. 2. School Program called 2morrow 2gether was started with the objective of supporting financially challenged girls, from 7th Std. until their graduation. 230 deserving girls are already part of this program. 1. Foundation launched additional scholarship programs for Diploma in Education & Engineering, as well as Graduation in Physiotherapy & Nursing. 2. 109 Scholarships have been given in these new areas of education.

Advisory Board of Foundation

Mrs. Maya Thadhani
Educationist with specialization in Microbiology and Public Health

Mrs. Freny Tarapore

Ex-President of Family planning Association of India Ex-President of Indian Association for Preschool education Ex- Principal of S.N.D.T College of Home Science

Mrs. Shernaz Edibam

Ex Principal of Bai Najamai Noshirwan Dastur Primary school Recipient of the Best Teacher Award from the Pune Muncipal Corporation

Mrs. Vasantha Ramaswamy

Joint Director with the DRDO of the Government of India Winner of Agni Award for Excellence in Self Reliance 1999

Main Board of Foundation

Mr. Firoz Poonawalla
Founder Trustee An Industrialist Contributor to the cause of Quality Circle movement

Dr Gulshan Gidwani
Principle of St Miras Education Institution Honored by Best Citizen of India Award in 2003 Best Teacher Award by Lion Club, Pune

Dr. Nirmala Pandit

An Educationist PHD in Human Rights Has been the Executive Director of National Center for Advocacy Studies

Ms Anagha Mitra

Chairperson
Mrs. Lila Poonawalla
First class Executive, Presidential Gold Medalist Conferred with the Padmashree Also awarded Polar Star from the king of Sweden

Master in Economics from GIEP Freelance Economist by Profession Guest faculty at Pune University Lila Fellow of 1996 batch

Ms. Roda Mehta

16 years on the Board of Ogilvy & Mather, India - a multinational marketing communication company Winner of Lifetime Achievement Award

Mrs. Prerna Khole

Lila fellow of 1996 Batch Awarded for High Quality Deliverable by Patni Computers. Worked on a GE Aircraft project with Patni

Selection Process
Application forms and supplementary documents are invited from interested candidates A special software used for entering data and computing points to each candidates based on her academic performance and family income

After that an award function is held where a prominent individual is invited as the chief guest. Once the girl receives the scholarship, she becomes a part of the Lila FAMILY for lifetime. She is called Lila FELLOW, and receives support and mentoring right through her career and also personal life problems, including through her sickness.

Data evaluation by trustees and selection of candidates for final interview

Thorough personal interview and Special financial/family conditions taken into account at this stage

Final selection of candidates through trustee meeting

Post Graduation Program

Trustee Panel Post Graduation

Mr. Firoz Poonawalla
Founder Trustee An Industrialist Contributor to the cause of Quality Circle movement

Mrs. Anagha Mitra

Master in Economics from GIEP Freelance Economist by Profession Lila Fellow from 1996 batch

Dr. Nirmala Pandit An Educationist PHD in Human Rights Has been the Executive Director of National Center for Advocacy Studies
Ms. Roda Mehta 16 years on the Board of Ogilvy & Mather, India - a multinational marketing communication company Winner of Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr Gulshan Gidwani
Principle of St Miras Education Institution Honored by Best Citizen of India Award in 2003 Best Teacher Award by Lion Club, Pune

Mrs. Lila Poonawalla

First class Executive, Presidential Gold Medalist Conferred with the Padmashree Also awarded Polar Star from the king of Sweden

Mrs. Prerna Khole

Lila fellow of 1996 Batch Awarded for High Quality Deliverable by Patni Computers. Worked on a GE Aircraft project with Patni

Eligibility Criteria Post Graduation

For Overseas Universities Family income should not be more than 7,00,000/-INR A Category 60% and above in 10th , 12th & Graduation
For Indian Universities Family income should range in between 2,00,000/-INR to 3,50,000/-INR B Category 60% and above in 10th, 12th & Graduation For Indian Universities Family income should be less than 2,00,000/-INR C Category 50% and above in 10th, 12th & Graduation

Assuring the future Post Graduate Program

Year Vs Number of Scholarship Given
2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
55 54 53 39 37 43
0 20 40 60 80 100 120

124
119 86 78 60

1. Since its inception LPF has given a total of 967 Scholarships under Post Graduate Program. 2. Of these, 137 are Overseas Scholarship & 830 Local Scholarship. 3. Contribution from the corporate has resulted in positive contribution growth in this program since the last few Years 4. 162 Special category girls are in local Scholarship under this program.
140

2006
2005 2004 2003 2002

LPF Relationship Beyond Measurement

Annual cultural fundraising event
1. Health & Technical Activities More than 15 Activities are organized. 2. Grooming Session for Lila Fellow More than 60 Activities are organized by LPF every year 3. Art & Cultural Activities More than 40 Activities are organized 4. Fun Activities More than 15 Activities are organized 5. Inspira Newsletter Released every Quarter for Lila Fellow & Friends Dental Care Program Physiotherapy Program Cancer Awareness Program

Eminent Personalities from different professions have participated in our Scholarship Award Functions, and shared their words of wisdom to encourage the girls further

Dr. Kiran Bedi

Social Activist & Retired IPS Officer, Also part of Team JLB

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Former President of India & Senior Scientist

Ms. Shabana Azmi

Film Actress and 5 times National Award Winner for Best Actress

Padmashree Dr. Vijay Bhatkar Renowned Scientist & Winner of Life Time Achievement Award

Padmashree Kiran Majumdar

Chairperson & MD, Biocon India Ltd

Ms. Shobha De
Indian Journalist, Columnist & Novelist

Eminent Personalities from different professions have participated in our Scholarship Award Functions, and shared their words of wisdom to encourage the girls further

Dr. Reena Ramachandaran

Chairperson & MD, Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd

Dr. Mallika Sarabhai

Director, Darpana Academy for Performing Arts

Dr. Amrita Patel

Chairperson, National Dairy Development Board

Naina Lal Kidwai

Vice Chairperson & MD, HSBC Securities & Capital Markets

Dr. Indira Parikh

Dean, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad

Ms. Geetanjali Kirloskar

Chairperson, India Japan Initiative

Eminent Personalities from different professions have participated in our Scholarship Award Functions, and shared their words of wisdom to encourage the girls further

Ms. Vinita Bali

Managing Director, Britannia Industries Ltd.

Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar

Former CSIR Director

Dr. Usha Thorat

Deputy Governor & Director, Reserve Bank of India Dr. Asa Andreasson

Professor Gran Grosskopf

Chairman, IKEA International

Ms Maria Grosskopf
Prof. Of law, Lund University, Sweden

Dr. sa Andreasson
General Physician, Sweden

Eminent Personalities from different professions have participated in our Scholarship Award Functions, and shared their words of wisdom to encourage the girls further

Mr. Per Heggenes

Chief Executive Officer, IKEA Foundation

Dr. S B Majumdar
Founding Director, Symbiosis International University

Impact of our work 1925 Scholarships in Total have been given Affecting the lives of 1332 Girls 137 Overseas Scholarships 830 Scholarships given for post graduation program in India 365 Scholarships given for Engineering Program

340 Scholarships given for School Program

253 Scholarships given for Undergraduate Program

Lila Fellows are working in different professional areas

Investment Bankers Journalists Social Workers Lawyers Academicians Radiologists Performers Statisticians

Computer Engineers
Geologists Architects Psychologists Hotel Management Financial Analysts Animation Technologists Actors

Doctors

Spectrum of fields

Physiotherapists Fashion Designers Mathematicians

Healthcare Specialists Microbiologists MBA holders Social Scientists

Linguists Industrial Engineers

Transforming the new face of Education in India

21st Century Belongs to Them: Meet Some of Our Fellows
Chandrika Shrinivasan
Lila Fellow of 1996 Batch Started working to support family at age of 13 M.Sc. Program with Distinction Client Partner for 2 Important TCS Accounts

Jyoti Dalvi
Lila Fellow of 1998 Batch Daughter of Rickshaw Driver Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from University of Hull Senior Research Associate at Brewer Science

Kirti Shirke
Lila Fellow of 1997 Batch Daughter of a Clerk Sold Crackers & Halwa to support family At present a Deputy Collector at Pune

Transforming the new face of Education in India

21st Century Belongs to Them: Meet Some of Our Fellows
Koyel Goshal
Lila Fellow of 2000 Batch Daughter of Part -time Civil Man Master in Pharmacology & Toxicology, USA Perusing Ph.D. in Bio Medical Engineering

Sunetra Chaphalkar
Lila Fellow of 2001 Batch Mother Supported Family through Tailoring MBA in Human Resource, Pune University Manager HR at Pramata Knowledge Solution

Tejashree Giramkar
Lila Fellow of 2008 Batch Daughter of a Vegetable Seller Post Graduate in Commerce, Pune University Senior Associate at WNS (Finance & Accounts)

Transforming the new face of Education in India

21st Century Belongs to Them: Meet Some of Our Fellows
Siddhida Deo
Lila Fellow of 2008 Batch Handicapped, Has Hearing Deficiency MSC in Organic Chemistry, Pune University Project assistant in Patent Technology

Prayaga Hoge
Lila Fellow of 2008 Batch Father Works as a Watchman MA in Journalism Working as a Reporter, Marathi Daily, Pudhari

Ashwini Bhujbal
Lila Fellow of 2010 Batch Daughter of Farmer Mtech in Mathematics, University of Pune Lecturer in PVG College

The Road Ahead

Lila Poonawalla Foundation wants to grow and reach out to many more aspiring girls in India. Our vision is that no deserving girl should be denied the right to get good health & good education.

We Want to :
Support women for better health & good education Reach out to many more girls from rural areas and from disadvantaged families by scaling up the activities of Foundation Support specialized vocational courses in order to enhance the employment potential of girls

Be a Change maker!!!

Your financial contribution can change the destiny of a young girl!

Be a catalyst for enabling girls to traverse the socio-cultural barriers in realizing their dreams and building a better & healthy future for all

Know more about us

Contact Person: Ms. Jyoti Otageri Flat No. E1203, Mont Vert Tropez, S. No. 239, Wakad, Pune 411 027 Telephone - +91-20-27509431 / 32 / 34 Fax No. - +91-20-27509433 Email: jo@lilapoonawallafoundation.com Website: www.lilapoonawallafoundation.com

All donations made to the Foundation are exempt from Income Tax under rules of 80G. Donors from USA and UK can also avail of Tax Exemption on all contributions.