Pune: Lila Poonawalla Foundation (LPF) gave over 300 schoolgirls scholarships at the eighth School Scholarship Award Function, which was held at MFH Hall in Cummins, Balewadi, on July 7.

The event was held in two sessions. In the morning function, Lila Fellow Dr Sarika Deore (recipient of LPF PG scholarship in 2001 and PA 2009) was present as the chief guest and Shivani Naik Shah (Mrs. India Queen of Substance 2018) was the Guest of Honour. 

In the afternoon function, Lila Fellow Dr Ruta Limaye (recipient of LPF PG scholarship 1999) was present at the event. They spoke about the importance of education to all students present at the event.

Poonawalla, in her welcome speech on both the occasions, conveyed to the parents that instead of saving money for dowry of their daughters, they should spend on her education and enable her to earn her living for a lifetime. 

These are no ordinary scholarships. These scholarships also include school bags, cycles, shoes and books. Special counselling will be not only given for awardees but mentoring will be done to their parents so that conflicts are resolved and girls will sail through their education. The scholarship is for a period of 10 years from Std VII to graduation.