Born into adversity, Makawana Vidhan Komalben was raised solely by her mother, who battled severe health issues while striving to give her daughter a better future. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries, including one for a tumor, she remained committed to Vidhan’s education, even when her deteriorating health forced her to leave her job as a school teacher in 2023.

Vidhan, determined to ease her mother’s burden, worked hard and secured admission to Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya, Anand, to pursue a B.Tech. in Computer Engineering. But the INR 76,320 college and hostel fees were overwhelming. Just when hope seemed distant, she discovered the Alstom India Scholarship 2023-24. The INR 75,000 grant lifted a significant financial weight off her shoulders, allowing her to focus on her education without worry.

Now in her first year, Vidhan is determined to become a Software Engineer, not just to fulfill her dreams but to give her mother the comfortable life she deserves—a heartfelt tribute to her mother’s sacrifices and unwavering support.

Losing his father at the age of nine, Ankur Bhowmick’s life was filled with uncertainties. His grandfather, a contractor in the West Bengal Irrigation Department, struggled to keep the family afloat. Just when things seemed stable, tragedy struck again—his grandfather fell critically ill and became paralyzed, leaving his mother, a teacher, as the sole provider.

Despite these hardships, Ankur persevered and secured admission to Presidency University, Kolkata, to pursue a B.Sc. in Ecology. But with a family income of just INR 84,000 per year, affording tuition and academic expenses was nearly impossible.

That’s when HDFC Ltd’s Badhte Kadam Scholarship 2021-22 provided a lifeline. The INR 30,000 scholarship enabled him to purchase essential books and fund a crucial academic excursion to Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha. Today, he is determined to specialize in Ecology and contribute to environmental conservation.

Sundaraneedi Baskaram always dreamed of becoming an architect, but with her father working as a daily wage laborer, the high cost of a B.Arch. program seemed out of reach. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, making their financial struggles even worse.

Determined not to let her dreams slip away, she applied for the L'Oréal India For Young Women in Science Scholarship (2018). The scholarship changed everything, helping her cover the cost of her B.Arch. degree and ensuring she could continue her education without the burden of financial distress.

Now in the final year of her B.Arch. program, Sundaraneedi is closer than ever to achieving her goal of designing spaces that impact communities. With relentless dedication and scholarship support, she is ready to push boundaries in the field of architecture.

In 2020, Proteek Sikdar’s life changed forever when his father died by suicide, overwhelmed by debt and family disputes. His mother, left to support him and his younger sister, took over his father's pharmacy helper job, earning just INR 20,000 per month.

Determined to rewrite his family’s future, Proteek set his sights on becoming a doctor. He secured admission at Allen Career Institute, Kota, for NEET preparation, but the coaching fees of INR 1,30,000, along with additional living expenses, made it impossible for his family to afford.

That’s when the HDFC Badhte Kadam Scholarship 2022-23 provided a crucial INR 72,000, easing his financial burden and allowing him to continue preparing for NEET. With renewed hope and determination, Proteek is now on his way to achieving his dream of becoming a doctor and giving back to society.