A very soft spoken girl, Meghashree is of a hard will. Studying in Standard X at Sharada Vilas High School, Mysore, she is a beneficiary of The Akshaya Patra Foundation. Excelling in studies throughout school, this 15-year-old aims to grow up to be a Software Engineer. Meghashree’s mother is a single parent and works as a peon in a private school close by.

Meghashree is aware that her mother cannot afford the high fees in Engineering Institutes. Hence she is already prepping for a scholarship after completing her Pre-University College. She has two younger siblings – a brother who is now in Standard IV and a sister who is in Standard VIII. Hence, while aspiring to become an engineer, Meghashree has to keep in mind her sibling’s education and expenses too. This is why a scholarship or a merit seat is of utmost importance to this young aspirant.

According to her teachers, Meghashree is a well-behaved child, very focused on her goal of pulling her mother out of her single-handed hardships. She takes care of her siblings and makes sure they eat their meals on time. “Mother leaves for work as early as six in the morning and is busy till six the evening. She doesn’t have time to cook at home. Earlier, before we started getting the midday meal, it was difficult for mother since she would wake up at 4 a.m. every day to cook for us! Now my siblings and I have the mid-day meal at school. It is tasty and filling. It keeps us going till evening when I make something after reaching home,” says Meghashree.

Her goal of becoming a Software Engineer will be achieved only if she continues to study well and stay competitive. Akshaya Patra supports such ardent ambitions and helps children gain education.