When Neelu lost her father because her family could not afford timely medical treatment, the loss changed the course of her life—and gave her a clear sense of purpose.

“My father died because we couldn’t afford proper medical treatment. That loss changed my life forever,” she says. “I decided that I wanted to become a doctor so that no family has to lose a loved one simply because they are poor.”

Today, that dream is closer than ever.

Neelu has passed India’s highly competitive National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) and is preparing to apply to medical colleges, with the goal of becoming a cardiologist. She is also one of only 50 students selected from thousands of applicants across India to receive the prestigious Vahani Scholarship, which will cover her tuition and related educational expenses.

Her journey began in kindergarten at Prerna Girls School, a highly subsidized school established by Mona’s longtime partner, Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF), for girls from marginalized communities in Lucknow.

Neelu soon distinguished herself as a bright and determined student. Her academic performance later earned her a scholarship to Study Hall School, where she continued her education in Classes 11 and 12 while preparing for NEET.

Earlier this year, she graduated with a score of 94% on India’s CBSE Class 12 Board examinations—an exceptional accomplishment alongside the rigorous preparation required for one of the country’s most competitive entrance examinations.

"Every difficulty became another reason to study harder,” Neelu says.“I realized there was only one way to change my family’s future—education.”

Neelu lives in Digdiga village in Lucknow with her mother and younger sister. Her mother, the family’s sole wage earner, works as both a hospital attendant and domestic worker. When relatives and community members urged her to end her daughters’ education and arrange their marriages, she remained steadfast in supporting Neelu’s aspirations.

That commitment, together with the education and encouragement Neelu received through Prerna and Study Hall, gave her the opportunity to develop her abilities and pursue a future of her own choosing.

“Prerna Girls School made me believe that education can transform our lives, no matter where we come from,” Neelu says. “My success is the greatest gift I can give back to my school. I hope my journey inspires more girls in my community to dream bigger and become changemakers.”

Meenakshi Bahadur, principal of Study Hall School, saw Neelu meet each opportunity with focus and discipline.

“Neelu has always been an exceptionally sincere, hardworking, and focused student,” she says. “Balancing outstanding academic performance with the rigorous preparation required for NEET is no small achievement.”

For Dr. Urvashi Sahni, founder and CEO of SHEF, Neelu’s journey illustrates a conviction at the heart of Mona's partnership with SHEF:

“Talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not."

"When girls are given access to quality education, encouragement, and the freedom to dream, they transform not only their own lives but also the future of their families and communities.”

Neelu entered Prerna as a kindergartener with talent and potential. Years of education, encouragement, and opportunity helped her turn that potential into a path forward. Now, as she prepares for medical school, she hopes to use that opportunity to make timely medical care possible for others.



SHEF'S Prerna Girls School in Lucknow educates 1,200 girls from low-income families through grade 12, using a social justice-based pedagogy that teaches each student to see herself as an equal and autonomous person and to build the skills she needs to challenge the conditions shaping her life. In 2026, Mona Foundation's support provided for 250 scholarships.

(Story and quotations from SHEF's July 2026 partner report.)