Rakhi Kumari: A Journey from Adversity to Aspiration

Introduction
Rakhi Kumari, a 24-year-old from Gurhet Village in Hazaribagh, belongs to the Scheduled Caste community. Despite limited resources and the financial challenges of her family, she has recently passed the Primary Teacher Training Selection Examination and is on her way to becoming a certified primary teacher. This accomplishment reflects her resilience and determination and the instrumental role played by the career counselling cum competitive examination classes run by Naya Sawera Vikas Kendra at Bahoranpur.

Family and Financial Struggles
Rakhi’s family depends on subsistence farming, with her father, Mahadev Ram, owning a small piece of agricultural land that barely sustains the household. Her mother, Kiran Devi, is a homemaker. Rakhi’s elder brothers, Pradeep and Sandeep, work as migrant laborers to support the family. Despite their collective efforts, financial struggles were a constant companion, exacerbated by her brother’s severe accident in 2022, which left him in a coma for four months and burdened the family with heavy medical expenses.

Rakhi’s journey was further strained by the high cost of education. Pursuing her BA in Psychology Honors from St. Columbus College under Vinoba Bhave University required daily travel expenses of Rs. 100/-, which became a significant financial strain. She also faced challenges accessing quality educational resources.

Role of Career Counselling Classes
The career counselling cum competitive examination classes at Bahoranpur, organized by Naya Sawera Vikas Kendra, became a turning point in Rakhi’s life. These classes provided her with focused training tailored to the requirements of competitive exams.

The program emphasized essential subjects such as mathematics, reasoning, and current affairs, which were vital in helping Rakhi navigate the competitive examination. The availability of a library and audiovisual learning tools offered her access to high-quality educational materials, enabling her to overcome the limitations of studying from basic “guides.”

Rakhi credits the classes for building her confidence and equipping her with life skills, including better communication and analytical thinking. “The regular current affairs classes and Jharkhand-specific topics were immensely helpful during the examination process,” she shares.

The Impact of Success
Rakhi’s success in the Primary Teacher Training Selection Examination is not just a personal victory but a milestone for her family. She is now set to earn between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 20,000 per month, providing much-needed financial stability. Her achievement has brought hope and inspiration to her younger siblings and others in her community, proving that perseverance and the right guidance can overcome even the most daunting challenges.

Challenges for Scheduled Caste Girls in Jharkhand
Rakhi’s journey underscores the harsh realities faced by girls from Scheduled Caste communities in Jharkhand. According to the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) report and Census 2011 data, the literacy rate among Scheduled Caste women in Jharkhand is just 47.2%, significantly lower than the national average. Employment opportunities are often limited due to systemic inequities, poor educational infrastructure, and social discrimination.

Competitive exams pose additional challenges for marginalized students, with limited access to resources such as study materials, professional guidance, and financial support. Programs like the career counselling classes by Naya Sawera Vikas Kendra bridge this gap, offering critical support to help these students achieve their potential.

Conclusion
Rakhi Kumari’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of community-driven support. Her success in becoming a primary teacher demonstrates the transformative impact of initiatives like career counselling classes, which provide students with the tools and confidence to achieve their dreams.

As Rakhi embarks on her journey as a teacher, she not only uplifts her family but also serves as a role model for girls in her community, proving that with the right guidance, education can truly empower individuals and transform lives.