The Extraordinary Journey of Pratiksha Jadhav to the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Fellowship (2025–26)

From a rural village in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar to one of Maharashtra’s most prestigious fellowships, Pratiksha Jadhav’s journey is a story of grit, courage, and transformation.
Born into poverty, surrounded by gender discrimination and social challenges, she turned adversity into strength—and emerged as a leader shaping the future of education and equity in India.

Early Life: Strength Rooted in Struggle

Pratiksha was born in Bahegaon, a small farming village where opportunities for girls were limited and social barriers were widespread.
Growing up in a household marked by financial hardship, domestic violence, and gender biases, she learned resilience early—drawing inspiration from her mother’s quiet courage and compassion.

Despite these challenges, Pratiksha shone both academically and athletically, representing Maharashtra in:

• Wrestling
• Football
• Rugby

For a first-generation learner from a Marathi-medium background, these achievements were groundbreaking.

A Mindset Shift: Discovering Eklavya India Foundation

A pivotal moment came during the COVID-19 lockdown when her chemistry teacher, Atul Sir, introduced her to the Eklavya India Foundation.

Under the mentorship of Gajanan Ghule, Pratiksha:

• Rebuilt her confidence
• Discovered opportunities beyond the conventional
• Cleared competitive entrance exams

This was a rare feat for a rural student with no English-medium privilege—and a turning point in her academic trajectory.

A Journey Marked by Loss and Resilience

While working with Samajbandh—a grassroots organisation in Gadchiroli promoting menstrual hygiene—Pratiksha faced resistance from her own family due to social taboos.

During this emotionally challenging period, she suffered the heartbreaking loss of her father, a moment that could have ended her journey altogether.

Yet, she chose courage.
She delayed joining her fellowship by only ten days, refusing to step away from the future she had fought so hard to build.

Breaking Barriers: Becoming a Trailblazer

Pratiksha emerged as:

• The first Teach For India Fellow from a non-English medium background to come from Eklavya
• A candidate selected for ISDM’s PGDM program (Noida)
• Shortlisted for TISS Mumbai’s Master’s program
• Offered the Gandhi Fellowship

In a bold and deeply personal choice, she selected Teach For India to contribute directly to educational transformation at the grassroots.

Impact as a Teach For India Fellow

As a teacher, Pratiksha implemented innovative approaches that created meaningful academic and emotional growth:

Academic Achievements

• Introduced experiential and activity-based learning
• Enabled 55% of her 62 sixth-grade students to meet academic growth targets
• Helped 27% exceed grade-level expectations
• Mentored 21 students for the 5th Standard Scholarship Exam
• Achieved a 50% success rate

Student-Led Initiatives

She launched:

• Manzar Naya – focusing on writing, creativity, and expression
• The Rainbow of Our Lives – nurturing public speaking, gender equality, and social-emotional learning

Her students even presented their learning at the Teach For India City Conference—a proud moment for an entire community.

Leadership Beyond the Classroom

Pratiksha delivered her Teach For India graduation speech on “The Legacy of Savitribai Phule”, embodying the values of courage, equity, and educational justice.

Her own home transformed too:

• Her younger sisters now pursue higher education with confidence
• One sister secured admission at Azim Premji University, Bangalore
• Her mother, once hesitant due to societal pressures, now stands proudly beside her daughter

Selected for the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Fellowship (2025–26)

In recognition of her:

• Leadership
• Commitment to equity
• Lived experience expertise
• Impact with underserved communities

Pratiksha has been selected for the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Fellowship (2025–26)—a competitive program placing young leaders inside government systems to strengthen governance and policy.

As a CM Fellow, she will work on:

• Educational reforms
• Gender equity
• Rural development
• Systemic transformation for marginalized communities

Looking Forward: A Vision for Rural India

Pratiksha aspires to pursue a Master’s degree abroad in Gender and Education, with a mission to return and bring global insights to India’s rural landscapes.

Though the loss of her father remains a quiet ache in her journey, her path forward is illuminated by purpose, compassion, and an unwavering belief in change.

Conclusion: When One Girl Rises, a Community Rises

Pratiksha Jadhav’s story is more than personal triumph.
It is a powerful reminder that:

Education transforms.
Opportunity uplifts.
And one girl’s courage can shift the future of an entire community.

Her journey inspires countless first-generation rural learners to dream, persist, and rise above the barriers around them.