“When my father realised that he had another girl child, he was sad. His disappointment wasn’t suprising because that’s how everybody in the village was. There was a stigma attached to girls, especially their education. I was put in a boarding school, away from my family. I never received any love or care from home. I was terrible at academics, but my head mistress started to supervise my study sessions. For the first time, I felt worthy and wanted. That changed everything in my life. I became motivated to study and score well. I started to top and continued that throughout my education. I remember, when I joined a university, everybody around me treated me as an inferior. They said it was their favour that I got a seat through the ‘backward class’ quota. By then, I had faced enough rejection and it only made me stronger. I worked hard and topped, proving myself once again!

Meanwhile, I met an upper class man in grade 11 and married him in the court when I turned 18. Although my parents opposed and warned me, I didn’t listen. We moved to Mumbai, but things didn’t go as planned. He was an alcoholic and I had to put him in the rehabilitation center 8 times. It started to affect our daughter. So, after 22 years of being together, I decided to get a divorce. I moved out and started working with an organisation that works for children, Save The Children. All my life, I knew I wanted to do something for kids to help them have a better life, unlike mine. It was a challenge. I gradually learnt things, improved my communication skills and went up the ladder. I represented India in five countries for the same organisation. I have dedicated my life to serving children – not just my own but every other kid I come across. I don’t want to see myself in them. I want to do my bit to make sure they don’t face the discrimination that I did. Each child is a blessing and all they need is love, attention and guidance to do wonders.”

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