Pune: “When girls are given access to quality education, they not only transform their own lives but also uplift the society around them. Providing accommodation, meals, and personality development opportunities to girls from rural areas is a commendable initiative,” said noted industrialist and philanthropist Padma Shri Leela Poonawalla recently.
She was speaking at the inauguration of a newly set-up girls’ hostel jointly by Mahila Seva Mandal and the Vidyarthi Sahayyak Samiti. The facility, located in the Mahila Seva Mandal campus at Erandwane, will accommodate 80 girls pursuing education in Pune.
Speaking at the event, Tushar Ranjankar, Executive Trustee of the Samiti, said, “Our organisation works on the principles of cleanliness, equality, and self-reliance. Our hostels are not just shelters but centres of transformation. We are working towards expanding this rural student development model beyond Pune. The collaboration between two strong institutions is producing meaningful results, and the participation of alumni in current projects reflects the lasting impact of our efforts.”
The event was also attended by Bhausaheb Jadhav, Working President of Marathwada Mitra Mandal and permanent trustee of the Samiti; Tukaram Gaikwad, Pushpa Hegde, Pratibha Ghorpade, Rakhi Shetty, Tanuja Pusalkar, Sanjay Amrute, Treasurer; and Prabhakar Patil, Project Coordinator, along with trustees and members from both institutions.
Pushpa Hegde, a key member of Mahila Seva Mandal, said, “Our organisations are committed to supporting underprivileged students by providing them a secure and nurturing environment to study. Mahila Seva Mandal has been working for years for the holistic development of girls, and with the support of the Samiti, we believe this initiative will reach new heights. Having Leela Poonawalla, who herself has worked tirelessly for girls’ education, inaugurate this hostel is truly a proud moment for us.”
