I am still amazed by how far I’ve come. My journey from a small village in Uttar Pradesh to a research student at India’s most prestigious institute has been anything but easy. Born into a farming family, I am a first-generation college student, and this achievement fills me with immense pride. 

My parents, despite never attending college themselves, ensured that my brother and I never missed an opportunity to chase our dreams. My mother often tells me how she prayed for a daughter after my brother was born, and her wish came true when I arrived. In a society where girls are often seen as a burden, I feel incredibly fortunate to have parents who gave me the same opportunities as my brother. 

As a child, I was known for my love of school. It’s funny, isn’t it? I loved studying because I understood that knowledge was the one thing no one could ever take away from me. That belief has brought me to where I am today. I was always the top student in my class. One of the proudest moments of my life was scoring 98.6% in my 10th board exams and becoming the district topper. Seeing my face on hoardings across the district was surreal. It made me realise that dreams do come true and that one should never hesitate to dream big. The tears of joy in my parents’ eyes were my greatest reward. That day, I vowed to make them proud every single day. 

However, life threw me a curveball when I couldn’t crack the JEE in my 12th standard. As someone who had always been praised for her efforts and results, this failure made me feel unworthy. I cried myself to sleep for weeks. But looking back, I laugh at how foolish I was to think that an exam could determine my future. I had wings; I just needed to learn how to use them. 

It was then I realised my passion for chemistry, a subject I could never tire of. I enrolled at the University of Delhi for an honors course in chemistry, but the challenges were far from over. The COVID-19 pandemic hit, and life became a struggle. Finding a means of livelihood was difficult. 

During this tough time, a senior told me about the Sashakt scholarship by Dr. Reddy’s Foundation. I am forever grateful to her. The financial support from Sashakt made my stay in Delhi possible, and the moral support and guidance from the foundation shaped my future in ways I cannot describe. 

I then went on to pursue my master’s at IISc Bangalore, focusing on organic electronics and graduated with distinction. I am currently pursuing my PhD at the University of Groningen, Netherlands and working to make better organic batteries. 

My long-term goal is to set up my lab and conduct independent research, contributing to renewable energy resources to make the world, especially India, a brighter place with affordable, environmentally friendly energy. 

When I achieve my goals, I want to give back to society with kindness. One of my dreams is to open an orphanage combined with an old age home, where children can learn values from the elders, and the elders receive the love they deserve. My life motto has always been that everything happens for good. This belief helps me let go of things beyond my control and focus on what I can change. 

Times have been tough and will continue to be, but my message to everyone, especially girls, is to be strong, be brave, and never lose your confidence. I hope Sashakt continues to give wings to those who need them, and we will see an increased number of women in research.