In a world where access often defines ambition, there are those who rise not because the path is clear, but because their purpose is. Poornima is one such force, unshakable, visionary, and deeply committed to rewriting the story of girls in technology. She is not just a name in the global arena of education and innovation. She is a movement, a promise that brilliance knows no gender and that opportunity, when given, can transform not just individuals but entire communities. As a UNESCO laureate, her voice resonates far beyond conference halls and classrooms, echoing in the lives of young girls who now dare to dream in the language of algorithms and artificial intelligence.
Born in a small town in South India, Poornima grew up surrounded by the quiet rhythms of rural life. Her early years were shaped by both the warmth of tradition and the constraints of limited resources. Yet, even as a child, she stood out, not by seeking attention, but by seeking answers. Curious, tenacious, and quietly bold, she found fascination in mathematics, machines, and the mysteries of science. Her first encounter with a computer was not in a sleek lab but in a modest school setting, yet it sparked a lifelong journey. That spark became a flame that would guide her through academic excellence and later into a career rooted in purpose.
Her major turning point came with the creation of the NextGen AI programme, a bold initiative that uses artificial intelligence and digital tools to equip young girls with skills in STEM. The programme didn’t just introduce technology; it democratized it. Through workshops, mentorship, and hands-on learning, Poornima has brought digital literacy and advanced tech education to marginalized girls across India and beyond. For many of them, a laptop was once a distant dream. Today, thanks to her, it is a gateway to global opportunity. The impact has been measurable in numbers, but far more powerful in stories, of girls who now build apps, design solutions, and speak the language of innovation with confidence.
The road, however, has not been easy. As a woman working at the intersection of gender, education, and technology, Poornima has faced systemic resistance, skepticism, and underestimation. She has worked through bureaucratic hurdles, societal doubt, and cultural stereotypes. Yet, each obstacle only deepened her resolve. She has often said that she doesn’t want to be the exception, she wants to make exceptions unnecessary. Her work continues to challenge norms and dismantle barriers, not by force, but by proving what is possible when belief meets action.
Poornima’s legacy is not just the awards on her shelf or the programmes she has launched. It is the quiet revolution she has seeded in classrooms, homes, and hearts. She has shown that the future is not something to be awaited, but something to be built, and that girls, given the tools and trust, will not only participate in that future, they will lead it.