The Sankalp team visited Bandholi village with Ms. Rajbir Sandhu, Round Square Support Director for South Asia and the Gulf Region and our school staff. They drew great inspiration from Ms. Lalita, who leads the Sankalp project there. They spent meaningful moments together, enquiring about her well-being and discussing the functioning of Sankalp while also noting the challenges she faces. The interaction concluded with Ms. Lalita sharing her personal journey which left a deep impact on the team, who have recreated it to inspire others, just as they themselves were inspired.
Lalita: A Journey of Courage and Determination
My name is Lalita, and this is my story.
I was born into a life filled with challenges. My family faced severe financial struggles, and things became harder when my father suffered a serious accident that led to brain damage. His condition made him aggressive and unstable. Under the weight of these pressures, I was married off at the age of 13 to a man much older than me. At that time, I had only studied up to the 7th grade and with marriage came the end of my childhood dreams—especially the dream of becoming a policewoman.
Despite the early setbacks, I consider myself fortunate. My husband and in-laws were supportive . Life moved on, and years later, I watched my son grow up and start working hard to build his future. Seeing his drive sparked something inside me. I began to wonder—why couldn’t I do something with my life too?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when everything came to a standstill, I decided to take a bold step. I opened a small tea stall. It wasn’t much, but it was mine. The money I earned gave me hope and purpose.
One day, I learned that Ms. Nishi Mishra, Principal of Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, was visiting Jarga village to raise awareness about Sankalp, a powerful initiative launched by the school to support women in need. Her dedication deeply moved me and I felt a connection to her mission. I reached out to her and with her encouragement, I decided to start Sankalp in Bandholi.
Starting wasn’t easy. The women in my village were hesitant. They lacked confidence and many were afraid to step outside their homes, let alone believe they could work. But I didn’t give up. I gathered courage and went straight to the district collector for support. Slowly, with persistence and belief, I motivated 15 women to join me.
Sankalp wasn’t just about earning money—it became a movement of empowerment, of reclaiming identity and self-worth. Together, we created a space where women could grow, support each other and dream.
Today, I stand not as the young girl who had to give up on her dreams, but as a woman who dared to dream again—and helped others do the same. My journey is far from over and I hope it inspires more women to rise, speak up
and believe in the power of second chances.
