“Education has the power to transform our perspective and life. The vivo for Education programme has helped me throughout my journey to translate this belief into reality.” – Pravendra Kumar

For someone who comes from Mauranipur, a small village in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, managing to get through one of the most prestigious educational institutions – IIT, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) – was an achievement in itself. As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of the countless challenges that shaped me. As I grew up, I soon understood the transformative power of education and the vivo for Education programme played a crucial role in helping me overcome these obstacles.

Growing up in a farming family, my future seemed pre-determined. I was expected to follow in my father’s footsteps. But I aspired for more, driven by my father’s encouragement to explore new horizons. After grade 5, I cleared Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) entrance test, there I completed my schooling. This was a turning point. I used to visit home during winter and summer breaks and even tried to extend a helping hand at the farm but my father always reminded me to focus on my studies, fueling my motivation.

After graduating intermediate school with flying colours during the global pandemic, I took a gap year to prepare for the JEE entrance exam. The mentorship and guidance from JNV helped me crack the exam and secure a spot at IIT (BHU) in 2021. That’s when I knew I had found my calling, and for me, it was the ticket to my dreams.

However, the financial strain of the COVID-19 era hit my family hard. My father struggled to fund my college education while supporting my four siblings. Quitting college was never an option. That’s when the ‘vivo for Education’ programme came to my rescue. I learned about the initiative through my college WhatsApp groups and saw batchmates benefiting from the scholarship. Determined, I applied, but initially, I was not selected. Despite the setback, I didn’t give up. On my second attempt, I succeeded, and I knew that it was all uphill from then on.

The vivo for Education scholarship not only covered my college fees but also lifted a significant burden from my parents. It allowed me to focus on my studies and dream freely. Now, standing on the cusp of graduating with a degree in Chemical Engineering, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to give back to my community. I mentor students from my village, encouraging them to pursue their education and dream big.

My goal is to become a software developer. As a scholarship recipient, I believe initiatives like vivo for Education can transform lives. I even guide my juniors, help them understand the benefits of the programme and encourage them to enroll in it.

My journey so far has been a rollercoaster, shaping me in indescribable ways. Mauranipur may just be another village on the map, but it’s where my educational journey began. Whenever I visit home, I share my knowledge and wisdom with my siblings and other children in the village, stressing the importance of education. I spend my time tutoring them, making an impact, however small it might be. Education remains a cornerstone of my life, and with my family’s unending support, I have realized my potential. From Mauranipur to IIT BHU, and now on the path to becoming a software developer, I have learned that sometimes all you need is a companion – someone who motivates you to do the best you can, and for me, vivo for Education was that companion!