The Inspiring Journey of Kiran Kurmawar from Gadchiroli to the Transforming India Fellowship

Selected for the Transforming India Fellowship at Access Livelihoods, Pune

Kiran Kurmawar was born in Regunta, a small village in the tribal district of Gadchiroli,
Maharashtra. Her parents worked tirelessly to run their household, and though they had
limited formal education, they deeply believed in the power of learning to change their
children’s future. Growing up as the youngest of five, Kiran was surrounded by a family that
supported her aspirations even in the face of economic hardship and social barriers.
Kiran completed her schooling across government and aided institutions—studying at ZP
Prathamik School in Regunta, Bhagwanthrao High School in Narsimhapally, and later at
Alphores Junior College in Telangana. She went on to pursue her Bachelor’s and Master’s
degrees in Economics from Osmania University College for Women, Hyderabad. Her
academic journey laid a strong foundation, but her life outside the classroom shaped her
even more.
During her college years, Kiran’s father met with a serious accident, leaving the family’s
small travel business without anyone to run it. With exceptional courage, she stepped in.
She learned to drive a passenger jeep and began travelling nearly 70 km every day between
Regunta and Siroch, becoming the only woman passenger jeep driver in a
Maoist-affected region. Her determination caught national attention—BBC Delhi profiled
her in 2020, and she later earned recognition in the India Book of Records for breaking
gender barriers in one of India’s most challenging regions.
Despite these responsibilities, Kiran dreamt of studying further—ideally abroad. She
completed a one-year aviation course in Delhi and even attempted IELTS, but COVID-19
disrupted her opportunities. Still, she remained determined to build a career that would allow
her to support both herself and her community.
A turning point came when she met the Eklavya India Foundation at a workshop in Beed.
The three-day residential program opened up new possibilities, networks, and exposure that
Kiran had never had access to before. Through Eklavya’s mentorship, she discovered the
Transforming India Fellowship at Access Livelihoods in Pune—an impact-oriented program
aimed at nurturing young professionals to address issues like gender inequality, vanishing
livelihoods, and low human development across India.
Kiran applied and was selected, marking a new chapter in her journey as a first-generation
learner. The fellowship became a stepping stone that not only strengthened her academic
and leadership skills but also helped her envision a future where she could give back
meaningfully.
Alongside her fellowship, Kiran continues to remain passionate about working for the elderly,
building educational support systems for rural students, and creating awareness about
higher education among tribal communities. Her vision is rooted in her lived
experiences—having seen many girls in her community pushed into early marriage, she

hopes to become a role model who shows young women that independence, career, and
global opportunities are within reach.
As one of the few women from her region to pursue a national fellowship and break multiple
social barriers, Kiran’s journey represents courage, responsibility, and transformation. She
hopes her story will encourage other first-generation tribal learners to dream boldly,
challenge norms, and carve their own path toward growth and change.