FAIR & LOVELY FOUNDATION CONFERRED SCHOLARSHIPS

The 11^th edition of Fair & Lovely Foundation conferred scholarships to over 
200 deserving women

Fair & Lovely Foundation Scholarship 2014 continues its endeavour of empowering women through higher education, 
vocational training and seed capital

Mumbai, 25th March, 2015: Fair & Lovely Foundation for the last one decade provided scholarships to over 1000 young girls from challenging economic backgrounds, and helped them to pursue higher education. From this edition, the foundation has also extended scholarships in the areas of vocational training and start up business capital to inspire an attitude of self-reliance and independence amongst young women.

Over a grand convocation ceremony held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Mumbai, Fair & Lovely Foundation awarded scholarship to girls showcasing outstanding academic records, and awe-inspiring desire to be self-reliant.

The Fair & Lovely Foundation felicitation ceremony was supported by renowned personalities from distinguished backgrounds, ones who have achieved great recognition in their given field. The ceremony saw presence of Actress Lara Dutta, Padmashree Mrs. Lila Poonawalla and Singer Shibani Kashyap. Each of these renowned women shared their perspectives on girl’s education and importance of being self-sufficient, and narrated inspiring anecdotes from their lives.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Srinandan Sundaram Vice President, Skincare, Hindustan Unilever Ltd. said, “Fair & Lovely as a brand has always believed in empowering women to become economically self reliant. For more than 10 years, Fair & Lovely Foundation has tried to reach out to deserving candidates, and enable them with the power of education and make them truly liberated. This year we have taken our commitment to a higher level, and tried to reach out and give financial aids to young women to take vocational courses or start their own enterprises.” Adding more about the initiative, he stated, “I am extremely delighted to present Fair & Lovely scholarships 2014 to bright young women who have shown undeterred attitude to achieve and work toward accomplishing their dreams.  We hope that we get to continue with our initiative, as we firmly believe that investing in a woman’s future is investing towards a country’s overall development.”

Chief guest Lara Dutta, who gave away the scholarships to the selected candidates, said, “Being a woman myself, I know and understand the importance of a girl’s self-independence, and self-sufficiency. I support Fair & Lovely Foundation’s ideology and initiative towards empowering young women. I’m delighted to be part of this beautifully envisaged initiative that not only focuses on providing monetary support to deserving girls, but also believes in inspiring hundreds of girls to make them take that one step towards self-reliance.”

The Fair & Lovely Foundation Scholarship helps meritorious girls from the challenged socio-economic background to fulfil their dreams by providing scholarship up to Rs. 1 lakh. Final deserving candidates were selected through a screening and interview process. Noted professionals from various fields formed the selection panel and interviewed the girls across five centres: Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Lucknow, and ultimately helped the foundation choose the finalists for scholarship.

About Fair & Lovely Foundation:

Fair & Lovely Foundation is an HUL initiative that aims to empower the women of India through education and career development & start-up capital. The foundation identifies talented women from financially challenged backgrounds and offers scholarships up to Rs. 1, 00,000 per candidate. To maintain integrity and fairness the selection is done by a panel of eminent personalities from diverse fields. As the foundation enters its 11th year of inception Fair & Lovely intends to take forward the spirit of this endeavour.

About Hindustan Unilever Limited:

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is India's largest Fast Moving Consumer Goods Company touching the lives of two out of three Indians. HUL works to create a better future every day. We help people feel good, look good and get more out of life with brands and services that are good for them and goo for others.