For any vulnerable section, education is the best tool for upward mobility
In this week’s Survivor Series, we introduce to you the story of Ajay R Raj from Kerala, who describes his life’s journey as an attempt to challenge the choice one is given to replace with what one can have.
My name is Ajay R Raj. I grew up in the Western Ghats in a small town located between Kozhikode and Wayanad districts of Kerala. I had loads of fun and lived every bit of my early childhood.
In my fifth grade, I got to see a small library that was set up in my town by the politicians. Coming from the countryside and due to my partial visual impairment, the library and the books were my sole window to the outside world. I read voraciously on different works of literature and it started shaping my life. Since fifth grade, it was my dream to be able to study at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi.
The curiosity to learn more inspired me to move to the city after tenth grade. I was utterly shattered when I learnt that the new school was wary about admitting a Malayalam medium school educated boy into the CBSE stream. They tried to dissuade me from joining, but that didn’t deter me.
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Initially, I faced difficulties being away from home, adjusting to the new hostel life, pressures of city life, and most of all having to prove myself to the school academically. Right after school, I used to run back to the hostel and immerse myself in studies. From being one among the top 10, I gradually moved up to becoming the topper. Fast forward to the 12th board, much to everyone’s surprise, I topped the Humanities stream by setting a new record for the school. I also secured first rank in the PWD category and eighth in the general category at the national level.
Taking my journey further, life at St.Stephen’s College, Delhi, was a new experience of learning and nourishing one’s personality. Training under the best faculty of the country and the experience with talented classmates helped to expand my horizon. These twin opportunities enabled me to intern with the Harvard University and qualify for the first round of the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford.
Although I was passionate about literature, I had to encounter N number of difficulties in comprehending the texts, internalising the logic of literature. With the help of my friends, I surmounted such hurdles and became the university rank holder in the PWD category.
My interest in public service--both as a beneficiary and as an agent of change--inspired me to pursue civil service. It was also guided by the strong commitment of contributing back to the society that shaped both my character and actions. I have given my UPSC CSE main exam recently after clearing the preliminary examination and I hope I can realise my dream soon.
During this journey of obstacles and struggles, one organisation that kindled the strong will in me was Sarojini Damodaran Foundation’s Vidyadhan Scholarship Program. My association with the organisation began at the crucial juncture of my Class 12th education. Ever since the entire Vidhyadhan community provided moral support at times of crisis. The ever-welcoming community of Vidhyadhan always remained the first place to return in such challenging moments and they endowed me with the thrust to take the flight over the cloudy sky.
For any vulnerable section, education is the best tool for upward mobility. I know my journey is not over yet. Destinations are still remaining with the support of the organisation.
Edited by Megha Reddy
