Nothing can separate them from their dream

LUCKNOW: At 14, Mahima Yadav is not one to be daunted by prejudice. The determined medical aspirant, one of the 50 students handpicked under the government-backed ‘My School, My Voice’ programme, addressed a gathering at chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s official bungalow and said nothing will come between her and her dream to be a doctor at AIIMS.
A student of class IX at Rajkiya Balika Inter College in Lucknow, Mahima talked about how, despite being a meritorious student, she faced discrimination while getting admission into school.“My father is a labourer. We have faced many financial hardships. Despite that, I worked hard and got 90% marks in class VIII.” The shocker came when Mahima approached her current school for admission to Class IX. “The peon uncle there couldn’t believe that I, as the daughter of a labourer, could secure 90% marks. He thought I had obtained a fake mark sheet. He really hurt me, but I challenged him to ask me anything he wanted,” she said. Between tears, Mahima recited mathematical tables of 17 and 19 to the peon, and later, also managed to secure an admission.
One year on, her brilliant streak at school continues. She’s secured a first division in school, with 80% marks. “I went back to the peon uncle and showed him my marks. Then, I asked him whether he thought this certificate was fake too,” Mahima said.
Thanking the state government and the chief minister for creating a platform where students like her could articulate their concerns, Mahima was also joined by Bushra, a class XI student of the same school. Bushra, who wants to grow up to be an IPS officer, congratulated Akhilesh on starting the 1090 women powerline. She said, “There should be a provision where girls in schools are allowed to carry mobile phones so they can contact their parents as and when needed. This will make us feel safer.” Amid much clapping and laughter, both students also announced they were fans of the chief minister, and asked for his autograph.
On Monday, stories of struggle and perseverance were also told by Sufia Ansari and Sunita Yadav, both of who received vocational training under the state government’s Skill Development Mission, and have subsequently found employment. Working as a cashier at Big Bazaar, Sunita Yadav said, “I come from a lower income background where seeing Rs 5,000 in cash was a big deal. But today, because of this training, I handle more than a lakh rupees in cash daily. I feel more confident and I am able to contribute to my family while carrying on with my studies. I also want to train to be a judge one day.”
Praising the state’s Mission programme and the Bharat Abhudaya Foundation for acting as a bridge between the state government and students, and for helping boost their self-confidence, Akhilesh said if the youth of the state were imparted training, made skilled and given job opportunities, UP can not only become a front ranking state in the world but can also leave behind many countries on the index of progress.