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 6:00 in the morning and is busy till 6:00 in 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.