From this year, the Lila Poonawala Foundation will give scholarships to girls pursuing the four-year engineering degree. It is learnt that 27 students from poor families across the state have been chosen for the scholarship, though a formal letter is yet to be sent to them.

"We will give Rs 2 lakh to each student pursuing technical courses for the entire four years," said Poonawala.u00a0
This is the first time undergraduates have been chosen for the scholarship. The foundation has so far given up to Rs 1 lakh to post-graduate students. Poonawala said students with average marks are judged from interviews.

"I have got students who are not bright because of family problems but that doesn't mean they do not want to excel," said Poonawala. "When the trustees and I sit for the personal interview, we look for a spark. Once that's visible, we are confident a girl will shine."