In a heart-warming story that has captured the spirit of the entire state, Harpreet Kaur, daughter of a daily wage labourer from Sahnewal, Ludhiana, has earned admission to the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, and the people have ensured that nothing stands in her way.
Harpreet has been selected for BSc (Hons) in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at IIT, Guwahati, one of the country’s most sought-after programmes in emerging technology.
Yet, behind this remarkable achievement lay a difficult reality. Harpreet’s father works as a farm labourer and her mother is a homemaker. The family of six, her parents and three younger siblings, all bright students themselves, survives on a monthly income of approximately Rs 10,000. The admission fee of Rs 50,000, due by June 16, had seemed an insurmountable barrier.
When Harpreet’s story came to light, it moved hearts across Ludhiana and beyond.
Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain responded with exemplary swiftness and sensitivity. Recognising Harpreet’s extraordinary merit and the family’s genuine need, the Deputy Commissioner personally extended support by granting her a cheque for Rs 1 lakh.
The outpouring of support did not stop there. Prominent industrialist Rakesh Bharti Mittal went a step further. His Nehru Sidhant Kendra Trust adopted Harpreet’s education for the entire duration of her BSc (Hons) programme, promising sustained support through her academic journey at the IIT.
Harpreet, speaking about her journey, had earlier shared: “The admission can change my future and help me to support my family. I appeal to kind-hearted people to help me so that I do not lose the opportunity.” She received an encouraging response to her appeal.
