Kavita Sharma: From Desert Village to Delhi’s Premier College

🎓 Student Profile

Name: Kavita Sharma State: Rajasthan Village: Mohanpura, Barmer District School: Government Senior Secondary School, Mohanpura CUET Score: 758/800 AIR Rank: 412 Target College: Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University (Political Science Honors) Subjects: Political Science, History, Geography, English

📝 Interview Transcript

SATHEE Team: Kavita, your story is truly inspiring! Coming from a remote desert village in Rajasthan and making it to LSR is extraordinary. Tell us about your journey.

Kavita Sharma: Thank you! My journey begins in Mohanpura, a small village in the Thar Desert where education for girls is still not a priority. I am one of the first girls from my village to complete 12th grade, let alone think about college education in Delhi.

SATHEE Team: What were the biggest challenges you faced as a girl from a rural Rajasthan village?

Kavita Sharma: The challenges were numerous and deeply rooted in our social structure:

Social Barriers:

1. Gender Bias: Many villagers believed girls shouldn’t study beyond 8th grade
2. Early Marriage Pressure: I faced pressure to get married instead of pursuing education
3. Mobility Restrictions: Girls weren’t allowed to travel alone, even for education
4. Community Opposition: Some elders opposed modern education for girls

Educational Challenges:

1. Infrastructure: Our school had no electricity, no computers, and no proper classrooms
2. Teacher Shortage: We had only 3 teachers for all subjects in higher classes
3. Language Barrier: Teaching was primarily in Rajasthani dialect, but CUET requires English
4. Resource Scarcity: No libraries, no study materials, no internet connectivity

Personal Struggles:

1. Family Responsibilities: Had to help with household chores and farming
2. Financial Constraints: Family couldn’t afford study materials or coaching
3. Health Issues: Water scarcity and extreme temperatures affected health
4. Isolation: No peers with similar educational aspirations

🌟 Breaking Barriers

1. Convincing the Family: “I had to fight for my right to education. When I expressed interest in higher studies, my grandmother said, ‘Girls should learn to cook, not books.’ I spent months convincing my parents by showing them success stories of educated women and explaining how education would benefit our entire family.”

2. Community Support Building: “I started a small study group for village girls. When 15-20 girls started studying together, the community began to see education differently. The village sarpanch eventually supported us and arranged for solar lamps for evening study.”

3. Self-Learning Journey: “With limited teacher support, I developed self-learning techniques:

• Used radio programs for English learning
• Created study materials from newspapers and magazines
• Formed peer groups for collaborative learning
• Used SATHEE’s offline app when internet was available”

📚 Innovative Study Strategies

Desert Learning Environment: “Studying in a desert village had unique challenges and opportunities:

Extreme Weather Adaptation:

• Summer (45°C+): Studied from 4 AM to 7 AM and 7 PM to 10 PM
• Winter: Studied during daytime when it was warmer
• Monsoon: Protected books from humidity and rain

Resource Maximization:

• Solar Lamp Study: Used community solar lamps for evening study
• Mobile Learning: Downloaded study materials when network was available
• Community Library: Started a small book exchange system in our village”

Subject-wise Approach:

Political Science (190/200): “Political Science was my strength because:

• Connected to local governance - studied panchayat systems firsthand
• Followed current affairs through radio and newspaper
• Discussed politics with village elders and youth
• Related to rural development policies affecting our village”

History (188/200): “History became interesting through:

• Local heritage sites - visited historical places in our district
• Oral traditions - learned history from village elders
• Connected to Rajasthan’s rich history and culture
• Used storytelling methods for better retention”

Geography (192/200): “Geography was practical:

• Studied desert ecosystem and environmental challenges
• Mapped our village and surrounding areas
• Understood climate patterns through personal experience
• Connected to agriculture and water resources”

English (188/200): “English was challenging but conquered:

• Radio learning: BBC Hindi service for English news
• Newspaper reading: Shared English newspapers in village
• Self-study: Used basic grammar books
• Practice writing: Wrote about village life in English”

🎯 Key Turning Points

1. The SATHEE Discovery: “In January 2024, a relative from the city told me about SATHEE’s free CUET preparation. Their mobile app worked offline, which was perfect for our village’s limited connectivity. The mock tests helped me understand where I stood.”

2. Teacher’s Intervention: “Our school headmaster, Mr. Singh, noticed my dedication and started mentoring me. He allowed me to use his computer for downloading study materials and guided me on important topics.”

3. Village Support: “When villagers saw my dedication, they started supporting me. The village women contributed money for my study materials, and the men arranged transportation for me to travel to the exam center.”

💡 Messages for Rural Girls

Kavita’s Rural Girl Success Formula:

1. Believe in Yourself: Your dreams are valid regardless of where you come from
2. Educate Your Family: Help them understand the value of education
3. Use Limited Resources Wisely: Even basic resources can lead to success
4. Build Support Systems: Find allies in your community
5. Never Give Up: Every obstacle makes you stronger

Specific Advice for Rural Girls:

1. Start Early: Begin thinking about higher education from class 9
2. Find Role Models: Look for successful women from similar backgrounds
3. Use Free Resources: SATHEE, government schemes, and community support
4. Develop English Skills: Focus on language improvement from early stages
5. Form Study Groups: Learn together with peers who share your dreams
6. Stay Healthy: Take care of physical and mental health

🎯 Future Goals

“I want to become an IAS officer and work for rural development, especially girls’ education in Rajasthan. My dream is to return to my village and establish a residential school for girls from remote desert areas.”

📞 Powerful Message to Rural Girls

“To all girls in rural India - your background doesn’t determine your future. I studied under a kerosene lamp in a desert village where girls’ education was discouraged. Today I’m studying in one of India’s most prestigious colleges.

My message:

1. Your education is your right - fight for it
2. Your dreams are valid - pursue them passionately
3. Your struggle is your strength - it will make you unstoppable
4. Your success will inspire others - become a role model
5. Your village needs you - return and serve your community

Remember: Every great journey begins with a single step. Take that step today, and keep walking no matter how difficult the path becomes.”

💯 Community Impact

• First girl from village to get admission in Delhi University
• Inspired 25+ girls to continue education beyond 8th grade
• Started village library with 200+ books
• Conducted awareness campaigns about girls’ education
• Received state award for outstanding achievement in rural education

Connect with Kavita for Rural Education Guidance: Find a Mentor

More Rural Success Stories: Rural Champions

Girls Education Success Stories: Empowered Girls

Kavita Sharma is currently pursuing Political Science Honors at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, and continues to work on initiatives for girls’ education in rural Rajasthan.