District Administration Rallies Behind Daily Wager's Daughter Headed to IIT Guwahati

Ludhiana, June 15, 2026: In a heartwarming story that has captured the spirit of an entire district, 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 community has ensured that nothing stands in her way.
Harpreet has been selected for the B.Sc (Hons) in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at IIT Guwahati, one of the country's most sought-after programmes in emerging technology. Her academic record speaks for itself — she scored 94 per cent in Class X (2023) and over 90 per cent in Class XII (2025) from a Government Senior Secondary Residential Meritorious School. She further demonstrated her capability by successfully clearing all stages of the TechBee selection process — a written examination, group discussions, and interviews — to earn her place at the IIT.
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 ₹10,000. The admission fee of ₹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 Ludhiana, 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 of ₹1,00,000 (Rupees One Lakh) — a gesture that not only secured her admission but also sent a powerful message about the district administration's commitment to ensuring that talent is never held back by poverty.
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 B.Sc (Hons) programme, promising sustained support through her academic journey at IIT Guwahati.
Together, this collective response transformed what could have been a heartbreaking setback into a story of triumph for an entire community.
Harpreet, speaking about her journey, had earlier shared: "This admission can change my future and help me support my family. I appeal to kind-hearted people to help me so that I do not lose this opportunity." The response she received has more than answered that appeal.