From Uncertainty to Opportunity: A Vahani Scholar’s Story

What was it like when you were in 12th?

I have a very vivid picture of being in 12th or in fact my entire school life. If I had to describe my school experience in two lines I would put it as – “It would be a movie with an unusual but interesting storyline about a teenager struggling to find her identity in an alien environment, trying to face all sorts of odds face-to-face to enjoy moments of great personal achievements.”

To make more sense let me elaborate on my journey of moving from Prerna girls school to Study Hall school. My parents got me admitted into Prerna Girls School – a Hindi medium school which provides subsidised good quality education to girls from underprivileged sections of society. Ever since I joined my school I was a brilliant topper student. My teacher recognised my potential and extended me the opportunity to continue my further education on a scholarship from Study Hall school, one of the city’s best schools. Study Hall was an English medium school where student from privileged socio-economic background studied. Due to our socio-economic and educationally marginalised background, it was the greatest opportunity of my life with which came the great challenge of my life too.

The challenge of adjustment; trying to fit myself into an entirely new set-up, new classmates (from a completely different background) and above all an entirely new language – English. Challenge wasn’t restricted to this but was enlarged by extenuating circumstances at home without proper study area, electricity, resources, guidance and so on.

However, this all didn’t deter me from topping in my 12th board examinations and earning the prestigious Vahani scholarship in 2019.

Nidhi at her home in Lucknow.

Nidhi with her mother.

What problem(s) were you trying to solve?

Most of the time I was occupied by concerns regarding my higher education – Would I be able to pursue it or not? From where will I get finances? Will I get a chance to pursue my desired course from a good university of my choice? And above all who’ll assist and guide me making my informed future career choices.

Where did you start your search?

I was in need of opportunities, organisations and initiatives that could support my further education. Hence, I used to search for them both on internet and by talking to my school teachers. I was informed about Vahani scholarship from my school.

Nidhi with Reeva Misra (Founder & Chairperson Vahani Scholarship Trust) at the 2019 Annual Summer Conference

What made Vahani stand out from other options?

There were many reasons that made Vahani stand out from other options. It was the only scholarship I could find that focussed beyond just financial assistance to the overall growth of the student. In my 12th I was looking for both finances and guidance and Vahani was giving me both as I read on the Vahani website about their mentorship program running at two levels – pre- university admission guidance and during and post-university guidance. Moreover the idea of Vahani workshops for personality development and network building really attracted me towards this opportunity.

Group Photo - Vahani Annual Summer Conference 2023

What made you happiest when you got the scholarship?

It is indeed a difficult question as there are so many happy moments at Vahani. I feel that earning Vahani scholarship has been one of my best blessings and I am forever grateful to it. The kind of continuous love, support, comfort and guidance I got from my Mariya ma’am (my 1st mentor) throughout my board exam preparation and college applications period made me feel so happy and at ease. However the happiest moment was when my student mentor shared some screenshots of chats from Vahani Whatsapp group named ‘Vahani Family’. I was elated to read each message of how Vahani family members were celebrating my board result success even before I was added to the group. I genuinely felt like a valuable part of the beautiful Vahani family.

Nidhi with Vahani Team (Ritu, Mariya, Zubin and Preeti - CEO)

What have you been able to achieve since you came on board?

Ever since I came on board with Vahani I have seen immense personal and professional growth in myself. It is solely because of Vahani, I am able to pursue my higher education from India's top college. With Vahani team’s assistance I have built a great CV and cover letter for me which helped me gain internship experience. I find myself to be a much more confident, critical, capable and happy person after every workshop, program, event and session I participate in and moderate at Vahani. I am up-skilling myself by taking benefits from Vahani initiatives like English language program, creative thinking workshop, IT Excel workshop and so on. Moreover, I have got a brilliant opportunity to connect and build my network circle with many experts from their fields under the mentorship program.

What are your aspirations for your future and how will you add to being a Vahani Ambassador?

I call myself an aspiring youth Leader and Change-maker from an under-privileged background. I strongly advocate for social justice through the power of transformed education as a tool to transform lives and societies for better. To fulfil this sense of purpose on a larger scale, the most apt future career I aspire for is to become an Indian civil servant (bureaucrat).

Being a Vahani ambassador is a badge of honour. I would add to Vahani by spreading the word about it and assist deserving candidates in the application process. Contribute to Vahani’s success through my continuous efforts and active participation into all the programs Vahani team curates for us. Whenever given any opportunity or platform, I’ll be really happy and proud to represent Vahani’s good work. Furthermore, I would love to help and assist my Vahani juniors, batch mates, seniors or team whenever they need me. 

Nidhi in Germany.

Vahani Alumni Nidhi Kannaujia - Masters' Student at University of Goettingen, Germany.