Occasionally, we come across many people struggling on their paths, who along with their positivity manage to somehow inspire us. They describe perseverance and dedication to be the two main keys to unlock the doors of success.
Aisha Khatoon, a 13-year old Girl Icon is one such motivating person. Digging new tracks on rough grounds was never an easy task and Aisha stringently did that at an age when children are into light engagements. She has crossed many community barriers solely to break ample number of set rules and bondages. The spark to fight was ignited when Aisha learnt about Kasturbha Gandhi Vidyalya (Residential government schools for girls from the disadvantaged communities) at the age of 10. Post the encounter; she was the first girl in the village Chandauli to reach out for education. The undertaken objective to whoosh the stereotypical air was opposed by a lot of negative say of the community members initially.
“My father was sternly against women moving out of the house because of all the societal circumstances. He refused me to join any sort of knowledge forum even if it was free.”
Aisha did not stop at any refusal and without being disrespectful, tried out for better alternatives. When the main reason of denial given by her father was of going alone, Aisha decided to induce five girls to enroll in for schooling.
“By pursuing families of five girls daily, I managed to convince the girls for education after 20 days of struggle. We were all excited for our new lives but at the time of our departure, three girls were forced to drop out. The sudden change in scenario nearly called off my dream, because certain community members defamed the agenda by naming it as a human trafficking scam”
“I later on got in touch with a mobilizer from NGO Mahila Samkhya and we decided to hold interactive sessions about schooling with my father” “Bohot mushkil tha lekin hogaya (It was tough but things fell in place)” said the brave young fighter with a smile on her face.
Her father finally agreed after learning about the whereabouts of the goal and Aisha started her journey with a great relief. Despite being very new to the school and hostel culture, Aisha, being all alone from her village performed stunningly well in her academics. She participated in the dramatics society as well and grew out to become the President of the school’s Child Cabinet.
Her growth inspired many to follow the same path. 20 more girls succeeded in enrolling themselves in the schooling circle. She has now upgraded herself from KGBV Vidhyalaya to B.P. Higher Secondary School for class 9th with other girls are in their 8th standard of KGBV Vidhyala.
She at the age of mere 13 is well aware of the parda system in the Muslim community as well and lashes the religious bars put down for women. She wishes to hold events and raise maximum awareness to boost women with better objectives and eradicate such pulling forces.
The responsibility undertaken to do so much on such delicate shoulders is heroism literally more stunning than anything. Who knew a young girl suppressed in the caged laws of a community could move out with zeal and take along many on the path of growth? Isn’t that amazing?