Pooja's Rise from a Small Village to becoming a Police Officer

“I want to become a police officer,” said Pooja Ratan Mane during a life skills session in Borgaon village. Her confident reply left a lasting impression, prompting a visit to Pooja's home by the Magic Bus educator conducting the session.

The 'UDDAN' project by Magic Bus India Foundation, launched in 2015, covered 65 villages in Bhandara district, including Borgaon Khurd. This initiative focused on providing life skills, establishing study corners, facilitating study groups, and offering scholarships to girls to support their higher education aspirations.

Pooja resides with her mother, a homemaker; her father, who sustains the family through agricultural work; her elder sister; and her brothers.

Borgaon Khurd, located 18 km from Bhandara district, has a population of 2000, relying mainly on agriculture. The village has a primary school up to the 4th grade; residents must travel 8 km to the neighbouring town of Pahela for higher education.

Limited educational options lead families to seek schooling elsewhere, often resulting in fewer adolescents pursuing higher education, which then leads to high unemployment rates.

Flying High with Udaan

In 2015, when the 'UDDAN' project launched in Borgaon, Pooja, then in 6th grade, actively participated in community life skills sessions, experiencing a positive transformation. Motivated by this, she established a study group and a study corner at home, aspiring to become a police officer. Pooja's confidence flourished with daily commitment to her studies an attendance at sessions. Despite encountering challenges, her determination persisted, enhancing her problem-solving skills. Through these sessions, Pooja cultivated essential qualities such as determination, perseverance, self-confidence, and decision-making abilities.

"Come what may, I’ll reach my goal," says Pooja.
With determination to achieve her goal, she completed her secondary education and moved to Bhandara, the district headquarters, for further studies. While continuing her education, she also prepared for the police recruitment exams. Balancing both commitments, Pooja carefully managed her time, creating a structured study and training schedule that greatly benefited her.

In a twist of fate, Pooja's journey with Magic Bus took a new turn. In 2020, she transitioned from being a programme participant to becoming a 'Community Coordinator' for the SCALE project. At the same time, she was juggling college studies and police recruitment preparations.

It was truly inspiring to witness Pooja, originating from a small village, now thriving as a community coordinator in Bhandara district. She actively participated in programme organization, training sessions, and teacher meetings while ensuring student engagement in mobile education initiatives.

"I'm truly grateful for Magic Bus's support. Additionally, when I served as a community coordinator, I relied on the stipend provided by Magic Bus, which helped me financially to purchase books and cover the training fees for police recruitment," explained Pooja.

Against All Odds

When vacancies for police recruitment were announced, Pooja applied for positions in Nagpur, Gondia, Akola, and the Mumbai Railways. However, financial constraints arose as a significant obstacle. Despite her parents' efforts to seek financial assistance from relatives, they were unsuccessful. Consequently, Pooja's parents, recognizing the limitations of their circumstances, decided to prevent her from travelling to Mumbai.

Pooja refused to give up; she sought help from her schoolteacher, promising to repay them from her future earnings. With only enough money for travel, she embarked on a journey from Nagpur to Mumbai, seeking guidance from railway station police due to her unfamiliarity with the route. Pooja remained determined despite facing financial constraints and enduring hunger during a sleepless night at Ghatkopar railway station. The next day, she completed the physical examination for police recruitment.

After completing all the physical tests, Pooja met the requirements for Nagpur, Gondia, and Akola districts. She excelled in the Mumbai Railway Exam, achieving the highest 48 out of 50 score. Subsequently, on April 2nd, 2023, she appeared for the written exam in Mumbai. When the results were announced, Pooja marked a significant milestone. She officially joined the police department on May 30, 2023.

From June 5, 2023, to February 13, 2024, Pooja underwent initial police training in Nagpur and is now stationed as a 'Female Police Officer' at the Karjat Railway Police Station in Raigad district, Maharashtra.

Pooja credits her success to Magic Bus, which provided her with essential skills like decision-making, resilience, time management, and negotiation. She now takes satisfaction in her career and serves as a mentor to other girls from her communities, guiding them on employment opportunities.