1. The Lila Poonawalla Foundation was started in 1996 to provide scholarships for higher education to financially challenged girls in India. 2. Since its inception, the Foundation has supported over 1,300 girls with scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, and vocational programs. 3. The Foundation aims to empower Indian women through education and has expanded its scholarship programs over the years to support girls in various fields of study.

1. Lila Poonawalla Foundation
Leading Indian Ladies Ahead

2. 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.

3. 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 India’s 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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 well-
off 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."

7. Lila Poonawalla: Pioneer of the Foundation
The first woman CEO in India’s
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.

8. 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.

9. Advisory Board of Foundation
Mrs. Maya Thadhani Mrs. Freny Tarapore
•Educationist with •Ex-President of Family
specialization in planning Association of
Microbiology and India
Public Health •Ex-President of Indian
Association for Preschool
education
•Ex- Principal of S.N.D.T
College of Home Science
Mrs. Shernaz Edibam Mrs. Vasantha
•Ex – Principal of Bai Ramaswamy
Najamai Noshirwan •Joint Director with the
Dastur Primary school DRDO of the Government
•Recipient of the Best of India
•Winner of Agni Award
Teacher Award from the
for Excellence in Self
Pune Muncipal
Reliance 1999
Corporation

10. Main Board of Foundation
Mr. Firoz Poonawalla Dr Gulshan Gidwani
•Principle of St Mira’s
•Founder Trustee Education Institution
•An Industrialist •Honored by Best Citizen
•Contributor to the cause of India Award in 2003
of Quality Circle •Best Teacher Award by
movement Lion Club, Pune
Dr. Nirmala Pandit Ms Anagha Mitra
•Master in Economics
•An Educationist
from GIEP
•PHD in Human Rights
•Freelance Economist by
•Has been the Executive Chairperson
Profession
Director of National
•Guest faculty at Pune
Center for Advocacy
Mrs. Lila Poonawalla University
Studies
•First Class Executive, •Lila Fellow of 1996 batch
Presidential Gold
Medalist Mrs. Prerna Khole
Ms. Roda Mehta •Conferred with the
•Lila fellow of 1996 Batch
•16 years on the Board of Padmashree •Awarded for High
Ogilvy & Mather, India - a •Also awarded “Polar
Quality Deliverable by
multinational marketing Star” from the King of
Patni Computers.
communication company Sweden •Worked on a GE Aircraft
•Winner of Lifetime
project with Patni
Achievement Award

11. Selection Process
After that an award function is held
Application forms and supplementary documents are
Application forms and supplementary documents are where a prominent individual is
invited from interested candidates
invited from interested candidates invited as the chief guest.
Once the girl receives the
AAspecial software used for entering data and
special software used for entering data and scholarship, she becomes a part of
computing points to each candidates based on her
computing points to each candidates based on her the Lila FAMILY for lifetime.
academic performance and family income
academic performance and family income
She is called Lila FELLOW, and
receives support and mentoring right
Data evaluation by trustees and selection of
Data evaluation by trustees and selection of through her career and also personal
candidates for final interview
candidates for final interview life problems, including through her
sickness.
Thorough personal interview and
Thorough personal interview and
Special financial/family conditions taken into account
Special financial/family conditions taken into account
at this stage
at this stage
Final selection of candidates through trustee meeting
Final selection of candidates through trustee meeting

12. School Program

13. Committee Members Panel – School Program
Malati Kalmadi Ms. Lolita
Kewalramani
•A Social Worker
•Joint secretary of •Multi–faceted woman
Kanadda Sangh •Legal Advisor for Bajaj
•Board member of Auto since 2003
Indian association •Trained in civil matters
of preschool at Pune District Court
Education
Mrs. Lila Poonawalla
•First Class Executive,
Mrs. Samina Mrs. Vaishali
Presidential Gold Medalist
Deokar •Conferred with the Halbe
Padmashree
•Lila fellow of 1998 •Also awarded “Polar •Lila Fellow from
batch Star” from the King of 1996 batch
•Master in Industrial Sweden •Worked as a senior
Psychology project engineer for
•11 years of Automotive Research
experience in Human Association of India
Resource •Worked with Philips
India

14. Eligibility Criteria – School
Students from following Schools Eligibility Criteria
have been selected
• Age Limit: Maximum 13 years
• Family total annual income not to exceed Rs.
1.Anjuman I. Islam Peer Mohammed 1,25,000/- per annum
High School • Minimum 50 % marks in standard 4th, 5th & 6th
2.Anjuman I. Islam Ahmed Peer standard or B grade in latest comprehensive
Mohammed English Medium High assessment in standard 6th
School • Scholarship is subject to Continuation if the
3.Dr. Shamrao Kalmadi Kannada candidates pass in all subjects & secure
Medium High School minimum 50% marks or B grade in
comprehensive assessment in standards 7th to
4.Camp Education Society’s Marathi
10th, 60% marks in standard 11th & 12th, and
Medium Girls High School qualify for 3 years graduation scholarship in
5.Zilla Parishad School, Gawadewadi their chosen field.
6.St. Clare’s Convent School • Continuation of scholarship will also depend
7.C.E.S.’s Utkarsha English Medium on participation of the candidates in various
School development activities organized by the
foundation

15. Contribution of LPF under School Program
School program is being
launched in 2011.
In total, 340 School Scholarship
given since 2011.
The program focuses on
Primary Education support for
deserving candidates.

16. LPF – Relationship Beyond Measurement
Thanks givingTraining Program by
Raising Event PitaraLila- Juniors
Party for
Dad’s Check up Education -2012
Teachers Award Function
Annual FundScholarshipup for theirFunction Lila Juniors
Scholarship:Performance
Birthday Celebration
Counselor having groupAward mothers Junior
Scholarship Award session with -Lila
Art Program Junior
HealthExtra Coaching Classes Visit
Environmental Function- Science
Check
Teachers Training for Lila 2011
Health Mathematics
Teachers Training Program
1. Award Function
2. Art & Culture
3. Health Awareness
4. Train the Trainer
Programs
5. Fun Activities

17. Eminent Personalities from different works have participated in scholarship award
function and shared their words of wisdom to encourage the girls further …
Mr. Per Heggenes Mrs Vandana Chavan
Chief Executive Officer of IKEA Honorable Member of Parliament
Foundation.
Ms Maria Grosskopf Mr. Gangadhar Mhamane
Prof. Of law, Lund University, Director of Education, Maharashtra
Sweden Government

18. Transforming the new face of Education in India
21st Century Belongs to Them: Meet Some of Our Lila Juniors
Samreen Girgaonkar
•Daughter of Mason (Bigaree)
•Mother is housemaid
•Wants to become a Computer Engineer
Kahakasha Heppigeri
•Daughter of Fabricator
•She wants to become a Doctor
•Also have desire to help poor people
Ayesha Shaikh
•Her mother is a maid with one family and she is the only
source of income for complete family
•Wants to become a Doctor and do research on Diseases

19. Transforming the new face of Education in India
21st Century Belongs to Them: Meet Some of Our Lila Juniors
Sakshi Yadav
•Daughter of a construction worker
•Mother runs a small beauty parlor at home.
•Wants to become a Doctor
Laxmi Walkar
•Daughter of Water Tanker Driver
•Mother is a housemaid
•Consistent performer in academics
•Wants to become an engineer.
Sapna Sakhare
•Daughter of contract laborer
•Mother is a housemaid
•Very disciplined girl
•Wants to become a Doctor

20. Transforming the new face of Education in India
21st Century Belongs to Them: Meet Some of Our Lila Juniors
Mariyam Khan
•Daughter of a Tailor
•Very good in making drawing and handicraft
•She wants to become a Doctor
•Also wants to help Poor people
Tanushree
•Her father is a plumber
•Hobbies are Dancing & Basket Ball
•She is a good swimmer
•Wants to be an IPS officer or an Lawyer
Sharmili Shejwal
•Daughter of Farm Laborer
•Loves to read story books
•She Likes Drawing
•Wants to be an Engineer

21. Transforming the new face of Education in India
21st Century Belongs to Them: Meet Some of Our Lila Juniors
Renuka Rohidas Gade
• Her father is no more & Mother works in a
• She has learned karate
• Her hobby is Dancing
• She wants to become a Doctor
Mumtaz Atique Khan
•Her Parents are separated
•Mother works in Phoenix mall
•Her hobby is learning computer
•She wants to become a Doctor
Shweta Sundar Moolya
•Her father is no more
•Her elder brother works in Pan Shop
•Her elder brother is only a source of income for her family
•Wants to be an Engineer

22. Transforming the new face of Education in India
21st Century Belongs to Them: Meet Some of Our Lila Juniors
Renuka Ravindra Dabade
•Daughter of a Driver
•Her mother is a housewife
•Wants to become a Chartered Accountant
Sayali Gangaram Gawade
•Her father is a Farm Labor
•Her mother is no more
•Wants to become a Doctor.
Gayatri Subhash Pednekar
•Her father is no more
•Her mother works in a store
•Wants to become an Engineer

23. 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

24. 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…”

25. Know more about us
Contact Person: Ms. Sucheta Sontakke
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: sucheta@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.