Transforming Lives: Madhur’s Journey of Self-Discovery with Room to Read India

As remarked by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, “If four things are followed - having a great aim, acquiring knowledge, hard work, and perseverance - then anything can be achieved.”, it stands true with the story of a 19-year-old girl Madhur from Dehradun whose dreams and determination helped her to achieve success in life. She is a powerful example of how education and life skills can shape a young girl’s journey towards independence and empowerment.

Madhur was born into a humble family of five, with her father running a food stand and her mother managing the household. Despite their limited financial resources and low educational backgrounds, her parents prioritized education for their three daughters, breaking traditional beliefs that frequently underestimate girls' ability. However, their extended family and community often ignored the importance of educating daughters, promoting the belief that a son was necessary for the family's future. These statements depressed Madhur and made her question her own worth.

Madhur's life took a new turn in 2016 when she transferred to a government school and learned about Room to Read’s Girls' Education Program. Initially hesitant and shy, Madhur avoided participating in school activities. However, the life skills sessions offered by the program, particularly the "Who Am I" session, became a transformative experience for her. These workshops helped Madhur discover her identity and recognize the power of her voice. Delivering a speech on Gandhi Jayanti marked a significant milestone in her journey of self-confidence and growth. Though nervous in execution, the experience boosted confidence in her, prompting her to compete in a variety of school, block, and district-level competitions.

When Madhur reached Grade 9, her life entered a pivotal phase that shaped her journey ahead. Her father's worsening health affected the family's finances, affecting her education. Madhur decided to help her family and started teaching kids to pay for her studies while handling family obligations. Her determination paid off when she passed her Grade 10 board examinations with an amazing 83%, giving her new hopes in life.

Madhur's leadership abilities and confidence continued to improve. She was appointed as a School President, motivating fellow students and setting an example for others. Her achievements reached new heights when she had the honour of meeting the President of India, Smt. Draupadi Murmu, during the President's visit to Dehradun. This meet represented the progress she had made in these years not only academically, but as a confident, powerful girl who was breaking down barriers at each step.

Madhur's journey reached another milestone when she was selected to represent Uttarakhand in the National Netball Competition in West Bengal. Despite never having played the sport before, her determination and self-confidence pushed her to prepare by watching matches online. After completing 15 days of training, she joined the Uttarakhand Netball team and achieved one of her extraordinary dreams. Although her parents were initially concerned about her safety, Madhur used her life skills training to negotiate and reassure them, ultimately participating in the national competition. Her journey speaks of determination and the importance of supporting girls' education for a more gender inclusive world. Life skills educations are merely the tools that adolescents, especially girls deserve to take key life decisions and Room to Read India’s dedication shines through the remarkable transformation of Madhur. Today, she is pursuing a career in journalism, sharing life skills lessons with younger students through a local NGO.

Passionate about poetry, Madhur draws inspiration from her life experiences, as reflected in her own words:

I want to fly, I want to fall (उड़ना चाहती हूं, गिरना चाहती हूं)

But I refuse to stop at all (पर रुकना मुझे मंजूर नहीं)

A life without struggles to face (जिस जीवन में संघर्ष न हो)

Can never become a tale of grace (वो बनते नहीं मिसाल कभी)

By fostering an ecosystem of self-empowerment, organizations like Room to Read India support girls like Madhur to unlock their potential to achieve remarkable success. Today, Madhur looks forward to a future in which she can improve not only her family but also her neighbourhood, serving as a light of hope for other young girls facing similar challenges. Her story is a strong reminder of girls' unrealized potential across the country. It focuses on the importance of continued investment in education and life skills programs in raising a generation of confident, self-sufficient, and self-empowered girls.