The Inspiring Journey of Ekta Rathod from a Banjara Hamlet to the Gandhi Fellowship

In the remote village of Umari in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district, where girls’ education is often overshadowed by tradition and financial hardship, Ekta Rathod’s story emerges as a powerful reminder of resilience, hope, and determination. Selected for the prestigious Gandhi Fellowship at the Piramal School of Leadership, Rajasthan, Ekta represents the dreams of countless first-generation learners across rural India.

Early Life & Background

Born in a small Banjara hamlet, Ekta grew up in a nomadic tribe community historically engaged in sugarcane cutting and farm labour.
Despite limited financial means, her parents—a tailor father with a 12th-grade education and a hardworking farm-labourer mother—believed deeply in the power of education.

In a community where girls’ schooling is rarely prioritised, Ekta’s journey began with courage and strong parental support.

Education: A Path Filled with Challenges

Ekta completed her early schooling at Vasantrao Naik Vidyalaya in Umari.
With no higher secondary school in her village, she travelled to Washim to continue her education—breaking barriers many girls in her community never cross.

Relatives opposed the idea of a girl studying beyond Grade 10, but her father stood firm.

After Grade 12, severe financial challenges almost forced Ekta to step back. Her elder sister stepped in, taking up a small job at a computer class to support Ekta’s college fees. This support allowed her to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Shree Ramrav Sarnaik College of Social Work, Washim.

🔗 A Turning Point: Discovering Eklavya India Foundation

Ekta’s life changed dramatically in her second year of BSW when her professor, Mangesh Bhutade, introduced her to the Eklavya India Foundation.

Through Eklavya:

• She attended an awareness workshop in Beed.
• She discovered higher education opportunities, fellowships, and career pathways for first-generation learners.
• She completed a three-month residential course preparing for master’s entrances at TISS, APU, Central Universities, and IITs.

Though she couldn’t clear those entrances, she refused to stop.

The Road to the Gandhi Fellowship

Encouraged by Eklavya, Ekta explored multiple development-sector fellowships—Gender Lab, JSW Foundation, and Gandhi Fellowship.
Her persistence paid off when she was selected for the Gandhi Fellowship, a two-year experiential program in Transformational Leadership.

Relocating to Rajasthan was initially difficult for her family. But with Eklavya’s counselling and the support of her village, the decision turned into a moment of pride.
Her selection was published in local newspapers, and Ekta became the first girl from Umari to achieve such recognition.

She says:

“After graduation, I almost got married. Relatives wanted me to stop studying. I begged my father for one chance. When I got selected for the fellowship, everything changed.”

Purpose & Vision: Empowering Rural Girls

During college holidays, Ekta tutored young girls in her neighbourhood. She observed their curiosity—but also how early marriage ended their dreams.

These experiences shaped her vision:

• To empower rural girls
• To create learning spaces in underserved communities
• To challenge the belief that marriage is their only future

🌟 Today: A Gandhi Fellow Making Real Impact

As a Gandhi Fellow, Ekta works closely with:

• Schools
• Administrators
• Rural communities

She is helping strengthen public education systems while building her path as a development professional.

Ekta hopes to eventually collaborate with Eklavya once again—this time to build exclusive learning spaces for girls in rural India.

Conclusion: A Message of Hope

Ekta’s journey—from a Banjara tanda with limited opportunities to a nationally recognised Gandhi Fellow—is more than a personal achievement.

It is a powerful message to every young girl in her community:

Your dreams are valid.
Your education matters.
Your life can be bigger than the expectations placed on you.