Shital’s Strength — Rising from Dust, Reaching for Dreams

 

Shital’s Strength — Rising from Dust, Reaching for Dreams 

Born in a Village, Raised by Determination

“When I open my books, I remember the dust of the fields, my mother’s sweat, and my father’s paint-stained hands — the hands that carried me this far.”

This is how Shital Bharti, a young woman from Paramdapur village, Varanasi, describes her journey — a story of resilience that shines brightly amidst poverty and hardship.

Shital belongs to a small Dalit community (Chamar basti), where opportunities are scarce, and dreams are often buried beneath survival. She is the only daughter among six brothers — the lone girl in a house where education was considered a luxury, not a right.

Her father, Ajit Bharti, paints walls and shop signboards for a living, while her mother, Nagina Devi, works tirelessly in the fields — harvesting rice and wheat, weeding and tilling from sunrise to sunset.

Despite their struggles, Shital’s dreams were never small.
Even as a child helping her mother in the fields, she whispered to herself, “One day, I’ll study and change our life.”

A Mother’s Sacrifice, A Daughter’s Promise

When Shital reached Class 9, her family’s financial crisis peaked. Her father, already burdened by debts, said helplessly:

“We can’t afford more schooling. You’ll have to stop now.”

For a young girl with big dreams, it was devastating. But her mother stayed silent — and then did something extraordinary.

Without telling anyone, she borrowed money from a villager at interest, just to pay Shital’s school fees.

“That day I understood what a mother’s love truly means,” Shital recalls. “It was her quiet courage that kept my dream alive.”

A Turning Point: The Power of One Helping Hand

By Class 10, things grew worse. There was no money left — not even enough to buy books. Shital broke down in tears, convinced her education was over.

Then, hope came through friendship. A classmate took her to meet Somaru Sir, a local education volunteer associated with the Janmitra Nyas and the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR).

When Somaru Sir spoke with her parents, he asked gently,

“Why stop her education? Don’t you see? Through her learning, your life will also change.”

His words reached their hearts. From that day on, no one stopped Shital from studying again.

Soon after, she was connected to the PVCHR scholarship program, which ensured she could continue her education without financial stress.

Books Over Barriers

With scholarship support, Shital’s schooling became consistent. Her confidence grew with every passing year, and so did her family’s pride.

Today, she is a third-year Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) student, studying with passion and purpose.

The same people who once said, “Let’s save money for her marriage instead of her studies,” now proudly tell others,

“Our daughter will study — she’ll stand on her own feet.”

“Earlier, my parents talked about my marriage,” Shital says with a smile. “Now they say, ‘Keep studying, daughter.’ That change means everything to me.” 

The Victory of Grit and Gratitude

Every page Shital reads carries the weight of her parents’ sacrifices. Her father’s hands, marked by paint and labor, and her mother’s cracked palms from fieldwork, have built the foundation for her success.

“My story may seem ordinary,” she says, “but for me, it is the greatest victory of my life — a victory over poverty, helplessness, and the situations that tried to break me.”

Now, no one in her family speaks of early marriage. Everyone knows that Shital will continue her education, build her own career, and one day make her parents proud. 

💖 Changing Lives, One Scholarship at a Time

Behind Shital’s success stands a chain of compassion — the support of Ms. Parul Sharma and the donors from Sweden, whose kindness continues to empower young women through the PVCHR scholarship program.

Their faith gave Shital what every child deserves — the right to dream and the means to achieve it.

“Without this help,” she says softly, “I might have stopped after Class 10. But now, I’m studying for my degree. I can see a future that once felt impossible.” 

🌍 A Dream Shared, A Future Shaped

Shital’s journey reminds us that true transformation doesn’t come from wealth — it comes from opportunity, belief, and resilience.

Her story is a celebration of every girl who dared to hope, every parent who sacrificed in silence, and every donor who believed in the power of education to break generations of poverty.

Because when one girl learns,
🌸 a family rises,
🌸 a community changes,
🌸 and the world becomes brighter.

🌼 Our Deepest Gratitude

We extend heartfelt thanks to Ms. Parul Sharma and our friends and donors from Sweden for their unwavering commitment to empowering young women like Shital.

Your support continues to be the bridge between dreams and reality — helping girls like her rise from the fields of struggle to the classrooms of hope.

“Now, when people in my village talk about me,” Shital says proudly, “they say — she’s the girl who didn’t give up.”