“I was born and raised in Surat, northern India by a typical Hindu family; traditional and strict. My childhood was horrible. My father died when I was 15 years old. With him gone my family could no longer afford to feed me so I was sent to live with my grandparents.
At age twenty I went back to live with my mom and brother. My mom spent the toughest years of her life trying to earn enough money to buy bread for the two of us. I can’t find the words to express the struggles she went through, but I can still feel them when I look at her face. She suffered so much.
A typical Indian family doesn’t allow girls to study. They invest in the boys because they know their girls will leave home eventually. This was the same for me. I faced many, many challenges to get an education after secondary school. But my mom fought for me. She fought so hard. She fought against any and all who tried to deny me an education. And so, thanks to her and my brother Mayank, I eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). You may not believe it, but I am the very first person in my entire family who graduated from college.
One day, when I thought my situation couldn’t get any worse, a miracle happened. I got a call from my friend Vishal who told me there was a job opening at Insight Timer. It was the biggest turning point of my life. All my problems disappeared. Suddenly I met people who believe in a woman’s independence, a girl’s education, empowerment of women, and gender equality. I felt confident and fearless for the first time. I’m honored to be working at Insight Timer.
I believe we should try and change ourselves, not others. So I am happy that some people have started to change their thinking here in India. Some are even investing in their girls too. My goal is to do something for girls in India who can’t get an education. I know and accept that I am not financially capable to support them, but I hope I can encourage them with my story and my words.
Thank you to the team at Insight Timer for accepting me just the way I am; a woman, confident and fearless.”
#WomensEqualityDay
