A remarkable story from Pune has captured the nation's attention, showcasing how cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's philanthropic efforts dramatically altered the educational trajectory of a young software engineer. Kshitij Vaze's emotional account of receiving financial support from the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation has resonated deeply across social media platforms.
The Life-Changing Scholarship Revelation
Kshitij Vaze recently shared his inspiring journey through a widely circulated post on X (formerly Twitter), where he disclosed that almost half of his college engineering fees were covered by Sachin Tendulkar's charitable foundation. The young professional explained that the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation (STF) serves as an NGO dedicated to supporting academically exceptional students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
"IDK if I have told y'all this before. But almost half my college fees were supported by Sachin Tendulkar's charitable foundation, the STF. It is an NGO that supports meritorious applicants from weaker economic backgrounds," Vaze wrote in his heartfelt social media post that quickly went viral.
Academic Excellence Meets Financial Need
The scholarship opportunity emerged from Vaze's impressive performance in the Common Entrance Test (CET), combined with his family's modest financial circumstances. His strong CET score made him eligible for the financial assistance program, but maintaining the scholarship required consistent academic excellence throughout his engineering program.
"I was eligible because of my CET score, and because, well, financially, I was not in a position to start my engineering degree," Vaze revealed. He further explained the academic requirements: "To maintain my scholarship, I had to get a CGPA of 8+ throughout my degree, and well, I graduated with 8.12, meaning I was partially supported all the way till the end."
The turning point in Vaze's financial journey came during his sixth semester when he secured an internship that allowed him to cover his daily expenses independently. Despite this achievement, the software engineer remains convinced that his academic aspirations would have remained unfulfilled "without God himself helping me out" through Tendulkar's foundation.
Recognition and Emotional Celebration
The story reached its emotional peak when Vaze received an invitation to be honored at a ceremony celebrating students who completed their degrees with distinction. His excitement and gratitude were palpable in his social media announcement.
"Today, I am invited to be felicitated for graduating First class with distinction and to meet the other scholars of the foundation. I'm pretty sure that I am going to cry today lads," he shared, capturing the significance of this milestone in his educational journey.
Adding historical context to his achievement, Vaze displayed an old 2025 letter from the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation - a document that initially promised him support and now stands as a testament to his remarkable journey from financial constraint to academic success.
Social Media Embraces the Inspirational Story
The online community responded with overwhelming support and admiration for both Vaze's perseverance and Tendulkar's philanthropic vision. One social media user expressed, "Congo my man and wish u the best future," while another commented, "Congratulations man. You did it and kudos to Sachin Tendulkar for supporting meritorious students to achieve their dreams."
A third observer noted, "Congratulations, so proud of your achievement. It really feels so special looking at people achieving such feats after coming from a humble background." The celebration continued with additional comments praising the determination and hard work demonstrated throughout Vaze's journey.
Further reactions included motivational messages such as "excuses don't exist in our blood. kudos bhai" and "truly inspirational." A final supportive comment captured the general sentiment: "Congratulations man. Well deserved for all the hard work you put in."
This heartwarming account serves as a powerful reminder of how targeted educational support can transform lives and enable talented individuals to overcome financial barriers, ultimately contributing to India's growing technology sector and inspiring future generations of students from similar backgrounds.
