When Sakshi secured her scholarship and opened the way for others.

For years, Sakshi waited for a scholarship that never came. 

As a 16 year old girl living in Keshavpur village, Jhansi, Sakshi dreamed of pursuing higher education. For her, a scholarship was not just financial support - it was also a pathway to turning that dream into reality. 

Beginning in Class 10, she kept applying for scholarship throughout her high school, hoping each application would finally be approved. But no response came. Sometimes there were problems with documents; at other times, there was no explanation at all. Three years passed in uncertainty. 

In 2025, when she enrolled in a B.A. programme, Sakshi decided she would no longer accept silence as an answer. At eighteen, she began visiting the SDO office herself, tracking documents and seeking information directly. 

“Jin madam ko hum application diye the, unhone hamari application submit hi nahi kari” she recalls, “to fir humne khud apni application bhari and submit kiya”. [The teacher I had submitted my application to had never actually processed it,. so I filled out the application myself and submitted it.] 

After nearly three months of visits, paperwork, and follow-ups, her scholarship was finally approved. 

But Sakshi's confidence did not emerge overnight. 

At home, she had watched her mother work as a Jalsaheli - a member of a women-led collective addressing water scarcity issues. Despite limited formal education, her mother actively participated in village meetings and engaged with public institutions. Watching her ask questions and seek solutions left a lasting impression on Sakshi. 

Inspired by her mother's involvement, Sakshi began attending meetings and joining discussions with adolescent girls in her village. In 2024, while studying in Class 11, she participated in a capacity-building training organised through We, the People Abhiyan with Parmarth—a grassroots organisation working on water security and community development in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. 

The sessions covered constitutional rights, including the right to education, protection against exploitation, and grievance redressal. Discussions around education rights and scholarships particularly resonated with Sakshi. 

"I hadn't really understood these things before," she recalls. "But when they explained about education and scholarships, I realised this was relevant to me. I was a student myself, so I paid special attention." 

Looking back, Sakshi says the training helped her see the scholarship not as a favour, but as a right. The lessons stayed with her and helped her navigate the system with confidence when she decided to act. Later, when other girls faced difficulties accessing their scholarships, Sakshi shared what she had learned and helped them through the process. Several were eventually able to receive their scholarships as well. 

Today, Sakshi leads discussions with adolescent girls on education, health, and hygiene. She is also active in farmer groups, helping connect farmers to helplines related to agricultural information. 

For Sakshi, active citizenship is simple: "Everyone should work together and support one another."

What began as a struggle to secure her own scholarship has grown into a commitment to helping others access opportunities, information, and support that can improve their lives.

The above story has been written and published with the explicit consent of the individual involved. All facts presented are based on WTPA's direct interaction with the individual, ensuring accuracy and integrity in our reporting.