Born in 1933 in Shikarpur Sindh, a place that is now part of modern-day Pakistan, Mr. Arjun Menda's life took an unexpected turn with the advent of Partition. Forced to leave behind everything his family had built over generations, they sought refuge in Chennai. Despite facing immense challenges, his father, driven by the determination to provide his children with a good education, ensured that the Menda siblings had access to learning. This early exposure instilled in young Arjun the profound belief that education holds the key to critical thinking, problem-solving, discipline, and personal growth—a belief he continues to uphold today.
Despite his humble beginnings, Mr. Arjun Menda's resilience and unwavering commitment to education propelled him to graduate from IIT Kharagpur with a degree in Production Technology. His passion for engineering initially seemed beyond his family's means, but through scholarships and relentless perseverance, he forged his own path to secured a place at university. The tremendous support and opportunities provided by philanthropists during his educational journey fueled his desire to pay it forward. Thus, Mr. Menda's commitment to education manifested in his support for the Merit Scheme Award and the scholarship support program of the Menda Foundation. Today, the foundation grants approximately 700 scholarships annually, enabling nearly 100 students to graduate and integrate into mainstream society each year.