Empowering Dreams: A Journey to Northern Cities with Shalini Fellowship
By Divya Mohan | April 25th, 2024
Venturing into the heartlands of Northern India, my recent visit to the cities where Shalini Fellowship thrives was nothing short of inspiring. Embarking on this journey to meet 30 young women in each of the three Northern cities—Phagwara (Punjab), Panchkula (Haryana), and Haridwar (Uttarakhand)—was a culmination of anticipation and hope since The Kiran Anjali Project’s involvement in 2023 in these 3 cities.
My odyssey commenced from Bangalore, until I reached the tranquil city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand. Nestled along the sacred banks of the Ganges, Haridwar welcomed me with open arms. However, beneath its serene exterior lay a stark reality—the glaring disparity in literacy rates between males and females. It was this imbalance that spurred the inception of Shalini Fellowship in the region. Witnessing the enthusiasm of these girls, striving to communicate in English despite their challenges, was truly heartening. Among them, we met an alumna, a beacon of inspiration, who continued to mentor despite the responsibilities of marriage and motherhood. The collaboration between Shalini Fellowship Haridwar and Howard International Institute for providing English language and personality development classes to the young women, along with the dedication of the fellows who travel from far-flung areas to attend workshops, reflects the transformative impact of the fellowship.
One heartwarming moment, apart from meeting the Shalini fellows in Haridwar, was encountering the dedicated father of Neha, a 12th-grade Shalini fellow. He is an E-rickshaw driver supporting his family single-handedly. His pride in his daughter’s independence through the scholarship was palpable.During our conversation, he shared how grateful he was for the support provided by the fellowship, which has alleviated some of the financial burdens on their family. Despite the challenges he faces as a sole breadwinner, his determination to ensure a brighter future for Neha was evident.
He said, “Neha wants to become an army officer and serve the country. I want to make her dream come true. I am happy that through the fellowship, she can achieve her dream. I have two more daughters; one is in 2nd and 8th grade. One’s fees are looked after by my paternal aunt, and somehow, I am managing to get books for my youngest daughter. I am struggling a lot financially. For Neha, I don’t have to worry about her, and somehow, I want her to at least achieve what she dreamt. Here, people are here to guide her, and I feel so proud when she speaks in English.”
In a gesture of kindness, he even offered me a ride to the fellowship office from my place of stay. Neha’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education and the importance of providing support to those in need.
My journey continued to Panchkula, a city in Haryana. The sex ratio of Panchkula city is 892 per 1000 males, and the child sex ratio of girls is 859 per 1000 boys. Despite the city’s good infrastructure, educational opportunities for girls from marginalized backgrounds seemed distant. Here, I encountered confident young women and alumnae who had achieved independence and success in various fields. The dedication of the core committee members ( include the convener along with other staff who initiated the programs in each city. This group comprises corporates, teachers, government officers, etc., who voluntarily assist in running the fellowship. They participate in monthly meetings with the staff, contribute to program implementation, and in some cities, offer their office space and facilitate employee exchange programs) who go above and beyond to support the girls, was truly commendable. Their initiatives, such as rewarding academic excellence with family trips, serve as powerful motivators for the girls.
The final leg of our expedition led us to Phagwara, a small city nestled amidst the bustling hubs of Ludhiana and Jalandhar in Punjab. The male literacy rate is 80.44%, and the female literacy rate is 70.73% in Punjab, with a population little over 100,000. Despite the constraints of a smaller city, the determination of the Shalini fellows shone bright. The coordinator mentioned that in this city, we need to put in more effort, and the Shalini fellows are more comfortable speaking their local language, Punjabi. I knew Hindi and English, and a friend from my college days taught me some Punjabi, which proved helpful here for communication. However, I was impressed by the young women’s efforts to speak in English alongside Punjabi and a bit of Hindi. Their determination to overcome challenges was truly inspiring.
Among them, I met Madhu, a beacon of hope amidst adversity. Despite facing neurological challenges, Madhu, 12th grade dreams of becoming a robotics engineer. She says, “My father, a 10th-grade graduate, has been unable to work for the past 15 years due to persistent health issues. Meanwhile, my mother, with an MA degree, was unable to pursue a professional career at the right time due to family responsibilities. She now supports the family by working as a tailor and a domestic helper, and this fellowship is a really big help for me. I don’t have to be a burden on my mother. My physical limitations, such as being unable to lift my schoolbag or walk properly, have many challenges, but that doesn’t lose my hope. I will fulfill my dream and support my family. My mother who always motivated me by saying, ‘Where there is a will, there is a way. My mentors are always there to guide and support me, which has always made me believe that my bad days will pass. Their consistency and persistence in helping me pursue my dreams are invaluable ” Her unwavering determination and zest for life are truly inspiring.
The visit has been enlightening, hearing about all the diverse aspirations and dreams of the Shalinis. To thank all the Kiran Anjali supporters, the made us handmade cards and my hope, is that we can continue to support these inspirational young women to achieve their dreams and move themselves and their families out of poverty and into the ever-expanding middle class.
Reflecting on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to witness first hand the transformative impact of Shalini Fellowship. As we listened to the aspirations and dreams of these young women, it became evident that our support is more than just financial, and in fact a catalyst for change. By partnering with organisations such Shalini Fellowship, the Kiran Anjali Project becomes a part of the building blocks paving the way for a brighter, more empowered future for all.
In conclusion, help us to continue championing the dreams of these girls by advocating for high quality education, all the way through college. Together, we are and will continue to are make a long-lasting difference—one dream at a time.