Gender Equality Lights the Way for Nikita to Pursue Civil Engineering

“Didi, I want to study further, and I don’t want to get married,” Nikita wrote in her letter to the Magic Bus programme facilitator.

This single message spurred the facilitator to intervene with Nikita’s parents, enlightening them on gender disparities and stressing the significance of education for all adolescents, regardless of gender. However, convincing Nikita’s parents was challenging as societal norms and parental pressures frequently hinder girls from completing their education.

Nikita hails from Babhulgaon and lives with her father, Shivaji Kisanrao Dalve, her mother, Mangala, and her siblings, Avinash and Sangeeta. Both parents are farmers. Nikita's birth brought disappointment to her parents who had wished for a son, leading her to often feel sidelined compared to her brother.

The water scarcity problem in the village exacerbates the daily struggles of its residents. Particularly affected are women and girls, who spend considerable time queuing for water from the tanker. This consequently delays their attendance at school.

In 2017, Magic Bus India Foundation (MBIF) started Project Disha in Babhulgaon, bringing hope and positive change. Through the Adolescent Programme, MBIF implemented one of their initiatives called 'Community Engagement,' where they collaborate with families, communities, schools, and government stakeholders to create a supportive environment for adolescents. This includes enhancing their capacities, empowering them, and engaging key community stakeholders like parents, community leaders, and government officials to establish a supportive ecosystem for adolescents to thrive and complete their education successfully.

Project Disha aimed to impart life skills to adolescents alongside education on sexual reproductive health, and financial literacy. As part of the programme, scholastic and co-scholastic lessons were integrated into the curriculum at Zilla Parishad School, Babhulgaon. Students were overjoyed to witness MBIF’s playful approach to learning. A strong bond flourished between the students and Magic Bus programme facilitator, fostering an environment where students felt comfortable confiding in them about their challenges and concerns. Home visits became more frequent as part of MBIF’s community engagement initiative.

Nikita enthusiastically embraced the life skills sessions conducted by Magic Bus, finding them engaging and enjoyable. She particularly revelled in the innovative learning approach employed, especially the interactive play-through sessions. She held a special fondness for the Sit-Breathe-Think (SBT) segment, relishing the opportunity it provided to freely articulate her thoughts and feelings.

Additionally, MBIF organised sessions addressing gender discrimination, which heightened Nikita's awareness of the biases she faced at home.

"I felt sad about how differently my family treated me compared to my elder brother," Nikita shared. "Instead of encouraging me to study, they often gave me household chores.”

One day, a distressed eighth-grader Nikita rushed to the programme facilitator on duty and handed over a letter. In it, she expressed her anguish, revealing that her parents were arranging her marriage, and she didn't want to be married. The facilitator quickly visited Nikita's home to discuss the issue with her parents. Despite explaining the legal consequences of early marriage and its negative impacts, Nikita's parents remained firm. The facilitator returned two days later, but their efforts proved futile.

Not long after, Nikita learned about a girl under 18 getting married in their village. She then confided in the facilitator. Despite their swift intervention, the marriage had already occurred. This left Nikita fearing she might be next. With the help of a facilitator, she appealed to her parents. The facilitator emphasised her academic potential. Moved by their words, Nikita's mother was brought to tears, realising the importance of granting Nikita a chance. With her mother's support, Nikita's father and brother also agreed that she deserved the opportunity to follow her dreams.

Nikita's love for Science and Mathematics motivated her to choose a semi-english medium for her advanced education. Science held a significant place in her heart. After finishing 8th grade, Nikita enrolled at Santai Junior High School in Mandla Khairi for 9th grade, which meant she had to travel 4 km daily from Babhulgaon for her classes. Her remarkable achievement of 91% in her class 10 examinations brought immense joy to both her parents.

Throughout her academic journey and whenever she faced any challenges Nikita relied on Magic Bus educator’s support and guidance. Despite numerous hurdles, Nikita persevered and completed her education up to the 12th standard.

Contemplating her future after completing high school, Nikita once again turned to the guidance of the Magic Bus programme facilitator. She sought advice on career paths, examinations to prepare for, government provisions for scholarships or through reservation, and insights into Nagpur's urban landscape, a stark contrast to her remote upbringing.

Currently, she is studying Civil Engineering at Government Polytechnic College, Nagpur, a city nearly 750 km away from her hometown. Her journey reflects a remarkable feat, deferring the traditional age of marriage to pursue her dreams independently in a metropolitan setting. Nikita is the first young woman to venture this far in pursuit of her aspirations.

The Magical Ripple Effect :
Nikita said, "I owe all my success to the Disha project by Magic Bus. It's been my guiding light throughout. The constant support and mentorship from the facilitator have truly shaped my educational journey. Seeing a female facilitator making such a difference inspired me to aim for similar heights. Their encouragement has fuelled my determination every step of the way."

Nikita’s success exemplifies how Magic Bus initiatives are crafted to nurture self-agency in young girls and women, enabling them to achieve economic independence and make informed life choices. This empowerment not only strengthens their decision-making abilities within their families but also contributes to building a more equitable and resilient society.

Nikita now embodies resilience and self-efficacy, adeptly managing her studies while honing leadership skills. She is an inspiration for other girls, driven by her goal to earn an engineering degree. Dedicated to motivating fellow village girls to pursue education, she envisions a brighter future for all.