Pune: Lila Poonawalla Foundation Awards Scholarships to 1,450 Girls Across India
Pune, 14th December 2025: “The purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows and windows into doors”, this quote by Sydney J. Harris is what Lila Poonawalla Foundation (LPF) lives by. The foundation supporting Empowerment of girls through opportunities in higher education has awarded Merit-cum-Need Based Scholarships to more than 1,450 meritorious and financially challenged girls in India in the year 2025.
Over 1,100 girls of the scholarship awardees are pursuing postgraduate degrees and undergraduate studies in Engineering, Nursing, Pure Sciences & Health Sciences. In addition, more than 350 young girls from grade 7 have joined the ever-growing LPF family. They are part of our school project which supports girls for 10 years– from grade 7 till graduation.
This year, as LPF proudly celebrates 30 years of transforming lives through education, the Foundation hosted 11 regional award functions across India. The highlight of the milestone year was the 30th Scholarship Award Function, graced by Dr. Kiran Bedi (1st Women IPS Officer of India & Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry). She returned as the Chief Guest after three decades to celebrate LPF’s enduring mission and impact. The first batch of senior girls shared their experiences with LPF; they are now serving in leadership positions worldwide.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bedi shared, “I am feeling proud to return as the Chief Guest in the 30th year of the Foundation. Three decades ago, when I came, there were just 20 girls, and now LPF is a family of close to 19,000, which reminds me of the strength that you LILA daughters have.”
The Award Functions were graced by distinguished guests from various organizations, along with senior LILA Girls who now hold leadership positions in their careers. Their inspiring words and personal journeys deeply motivated the new batch of LILA Girls as they begin their paths toward success.
The scholars were felicitated in the gracious presence of Padmashri Lila Poonawalla (Chairperson, LPF), Firoz Poonawalla (Founder Trustee), former trustees and current Board of Trustees, Corporate Partners, Donors, Senior LPF managers, Selection Committee Members, Senior LILA Girls and Well-wishers.
Reflecting on this milestone year, Lila Poonawalla, shared, “As LPF celebrates 30 incredible years, we take pride in having empowered close to 19,000 LILA Daughters. Our work goes far beyond scholarships, through a wide range of skill development programs, international certification courses, career counselling sessions, employee engagement initiatives, corporate readiness programs, thought leadership by corporates and industry exposure visits. We ensure that every LILA Daughter is equipped not only with education but also with the skills, confidence, and real-world insights needed to thrive in her chosen field. These initiatives bridge the gap between academia and employability, preparing our girls to step into the world as leaders, innovators, and changemakers of tomorrow.”
She also extended her heartfelt gratitude to the Founder Trustees, Board of Trustees, Corporate Partners, Donors, Trainers, LILA Alumni, well-wishers and staff members whose continued support makes this mission of transformation possible.
LPF operates in 6 cities of India i.e. Pune, Wardha, Amravati, Nagpur in Maharashtra region and Hyderabad in Telangana and Bangalore in Karnataka region. With close to 19,000 LILA Daughters already part of the LPF family, the Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to empower 25,000 girls by 2030 bringing about a change in their lives, the lives of their families and impacting the communities they live in.
