Archive · 30 Aug 2026
IIT Hyderabad Student Turns Self-Doubt Into Inspiration for Thousands
Sai Poorna is a student from Hyderabad who studies at IIT Hyderabad.
Before the JEE, she studied at home with her brother every night.
She wanted to attend an IIT so she could build a respected and dignified life.
She chose Electrical Engineering even though she had preferred Computer Science or Artificial Intelligence.
Living away from home was difficult at first, but her mother encouraged her to make friends and take initiative.
Sai then joined clubs and projects that help students in rural areas.
She now teaches underprivileged schoolchildren online across Telangana.
Her time at IIT helped her overcome self-doubt and believe that difficult goals can be possible.
Sai Poorna, 21, is completing her final year in Electrical Engineering at IIT Hyderabad.
She prepared for the JEE at home without coaching, studying with her brother for seven to eight months.
Although she wanted Computer Science or Artificial Intelligence, she chose Electrical Engineering to attend IIT Hyderabad.
At the institute, she joined rural-development initiatives and now leads Aksharamaala’s online teaching efforts across Telangana.
She hopes to work in marketing, management, or central government roles while contributing to people and public systems.
- Who
- Sai Poorna, a 21-year-old final-year Electrical Engineering student at IIT Hyderabad.
- What
- She described her journey from preparing for the JEE at home to leading rural education and outreach initiatives at IIT Hyderabad.
- When
- She joined IIT Hyderabad in 2023 and is now in her final year.
- Where
- She is originally from Hyderabad and is studying at IIT Hyderabad; her teaching work covers Telangana.
- Why
- She pursued education to achieve dignity and respect, and now wants to use her opportunities to contribute to others.
- Student
- Sai Poorna
- Age
- 21
- Institute
- Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
- Degree
- Final-year Electrical Engineering student
- JEE preparation
- Studied at home without coaching for about seven to eight months
- Key support
- Her brother studied with her and helped maintain her motivation
- Community work
- Leads Aksharamaala’s online teaching efforts for underprivileged government-school students across Telangana