“Why is educational donation considered the greatest donation in all religions? If you donate water to someone it will stay up to 5-6hrs, if you donate food to someone, it stays for 2-3 days, if you donate clothes it stays up to 2-3 years, but when you donate for education then you can change the lives of their upcoming seven generations.” — Nishita Rajput (Social Activist).
Education is a basic human right of any individual, but everyone is not born with the privilege to access it. Especially, girls in India are deprived of going to schools and are forced into domestic work. Either parent feels it’s not necessary for them to study or are impoverished to bear the cost of education. In such situations, it is the responsibility of the privileged class to come forward and do their bit for the society.
Here is an inspiring story of a 28 year old lady from Vadodara, who dedicates her life to make education access to as many girls as possible through her campaign.
HER CHILDHOOD WAS DIFFERENT
She is a 28 year old educated girl who has been raised in a family that believes in doing their bit for the society. As it is rightly said, “Great parental habits have a very positive impact on children’s lives”. And that’s the reason why her childhood was quite different from others. Her parents encouraged her to spend birthdays and vacations at orphanages or old age homes. And since nine years she is associated with ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Abhiyan’. She spends her vacations collecting donations for girl’s education. She holds a degree in social work as well as a diploma in Labor studies (law), both from The M.S. University of Baroda. Apart from studies she was also active in sports by being a basketball player on the university team for 3 years.
EMPOWERING THE UNDERPRIVILEGED
“Today women around the world are setting an example for all, why should any other girl be left behind just because of poverty,” says Nishita. This is the 10th year of her campaign, until now she has lent a helping hand for the education of more than 30,000 girls. But how did she do that? As it is rightly said, charity begins at home. She started by funding the education of 300 girls who were forced into labor practices or domestic work in her periphery with the help of her father. She does counseling of girls and their parents, emphasizing the importance of education. She doesn’t have a team or organization that helps her. All alone she started to approach people to donate for the cause. In the beginning it was difficult to convince people, but her pure, selfless efforts and transparency in work encouraged people to come forward.
Today not only from Vadodara but from different corners of India as well as people from abroad donates money that is directly paid in schools. Apart from this, she also helps senior citizens who live alone and doesn’t have any source of income. She has helped 190 such people so far.
HER DREAMS ARE FOR OTHERS
There are very few people in this world who invest their whole life in helping others. When asked about her dreams she said, “I simply want a little place in this big city where I can begin a school for my children, with all facilities and free of cost education with all co- curricular programs”.
When asked about any particular story that touched her she said that, 2 years back the girl that she helped to become a CA is preparing herself to become an IAS officer in future. She feels accomplished when she gives girls the opportunity to empower themselves, stand on their own feet and see them achieving heights.
For the people who want to start something like her she said that transparency is the key. People are never going to believe your words at once. Keep doing good work and automatically people will trust you, appreciate your work and will come forward and join you in your cause.”
A MESSAGE TO ALL
Nishita says,” As a human being it is our duty to assist others. Human is a man of wisdom, God has given us the life to do many things for ourselves but when you do something for others the happiness shapes bigger.”
Our Prinkit.in’s team conducting a virtual interview with Nishita Rajput.
