Mahesh Samdani, a New York-based managing director at JPMorgan Chase, has transformed a personal tribute into a long-term educational initiative at his alma mater, BITS Pilani. Along with his wife, Purva Ladha, Samdani has committed $1 million to establish a permanent scholarship endowment aimed at supporting female students who demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need.
The fund, named the Kaushaliya Devi Samdani Scholarship Endowment, honors the memory of Samdani’s mother. Designed as a merit-cum-need program, the initiative seeks to ensure that capable young women are not denied access to quality higher education due to economic limitations. The scholarships will be awarded annually under BITS Pilani’s existing financial aid framework, beginning with students enrolling in the 2026–27 academic year.
According to the institute, the endowment places a strong emphasis on inclusion and equal opportunity. Eligible recipients will be selected through a structured and transparent evaluation process, with priority given to students who combine strong academic performance with genuine financial challenges. By targeting women from diverse backgrounds, the program aligns closely with BITS Pilani’s broader mission to promote excellence while expanding access to education.
Samdani’s relationship with BITS Pilani spans several decades. A graduate of the 1986 batch, he has remained closely involved with the institution long after completing his studies. Over the years, he has contributed to student placement efforts, supported the Practice School program, and engaged with students through talks and mentorship sessions focused on management education. The newly created scholarship formalizes this long-standing commitment into a sustainable support mechanism for future generations.
BITS Pilani leadership has welcomed the contribution as a meaningful example of alumni giving with lasting impact. Vice Chancellor Professor V Ramgopal Rao noted that the scholarship will help open pathways for numerous deserving students to pursue a world-class education. He added that the endowment reflects the enduring connection between the institute and its alumni, as well as a shared belief in education as a catalyst for social mobility.
For Samdani, the initiative is driven by a simple yet powerful conviction. He believes that investing in the education of one student can positively influence an entire family. Through this endowment, he hopes to ease financial pressures and help young women build opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach.
