58 A.P. girls off total 123 girls from India from the lowermost economic strata dare to dream with sheer guts, grit and glory

Hyderabad|India|December'2008: Over the past five years, Fair & Lovely Foundation Scholarships have empowered innumerable aspiring women in both rural & urban India to realise their dreams by pursuing graduation, post-graduation or doctorate studies. Ideal candidates have been chosen on the basis of their academic excellence, economic background and the drive to achieve.

This year too, 123 determined girls moved closer to their dreams as they became winners of the Fair & Lovely Foundation Scholarships. Off this 123 girls 58 are from the state of Andhra Pradesh. The beauty of their victory was the fact that lack of financial power further encouraged them to believe that the power to change their destiny lay in their own hands. Most of the winners were also the first graduates in their respective families.

Of special mention are the SHAKTI AMMA candidates whose mothers despite being illiterate and ignorant strive each day to pave way for a better future for their children. Fair & Lovely Scholarships support these mothers in their struggle to fulfil their children’s dreams.

Some of the girls who got scholarship from the state of Andhra Pradesh include Alekhya Desu daughter of small soft drink shop owner. This scholarship is bestowed to the hardworking Alekhya to complete her Bacheleor’s Degree in Engineering.

Asma Jabeen lost her father in a road accident when she was six and derives inspiration from her elder brothers, who are all hardworking and studious. She is currently pursuing B.Com, which she intends to complete successfully in order to pursue a CA, because she aims to contributer towards the healthy economic development of India.

Ausha Palepu travels 50 kms to reach her college to pursue B.Tech. The scholarship is awarded to help her complete here engineering degree. Bandi Noorbanu’s father is a welder and earns just Rs 1000/- p.m. She has been awarded the scholarship to pursue B.Tech. Deepa Boddapalli’s father is a daily worker and she wants to pursue IAS. She is awarded a scholarship to complete her Master’s in Computer Application which she is pursuing along with a teacher’s training course. Gowthami Addanki’s father is a daily wage labourer supporting five members of the family. The scholarship is given to her to complete B.Sc after which she intends to pursue a MCA. All the above girls are from Andhra Pradesh.

This year, all the candidates were invited for a personal interview with eminent personalities like Padma Shri Lila Poonawalla; Shaina NC; Dr. Ramathal (Chairperson - State Women’s Commission, Tamil Nadu), Mr. Venkat Reddy (MV Foundation), Reny Jacob (Member - Delhi State Women’s Commission), Kavita Krishnamurthy, Rakshanda Khan and the like.

While presenting the scholarships to the winners, renowned danseuse Smt. Mrinalini Sarabhai said, "I am very happy to be a part of such an honourable cause. It is a pleasure to meet these young enthusiastic women from such far away places in India, who are so focused and determined to succeed in their life. I am sure they will prove that they are worthy of this scholarship and I wish them all the luck in their future."

On the occasion, Govind Rajan, Category Head - Skin Care, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) said, "We believe in supporting any good initiative that works towards girl child and women empowerment. To us education could be the first biggest step towards making this empowerment possible. Fair & Lovely Foundation has reached out to women from the smallest part of India and is a platform to carry this empowerment across to the women of India."