Stories from the field
The quiet power of belief, opportunity, and resilience
Years of hardship meet possibility and a new path begins!
“One day, I want to sing on a big stage. I know it will happen—I just have to keep going.” — Pratima Nayak, age 11.
Pratima Nayak, from Koinpur village in Odisha’s Gajapati district, carries a spirit that refuses to be silenced. Born differently abled (without her left hand) and growing up in a landless household on the fringes of the village, her life has never been easy.
Her elder brother works as a migrant laborer. Her parents depend on daily wage work, often facing uncertainty about the next day’s income. And yet, in the middle of all this, Pratima chose not to shrink—she chose to rise.
Last year, Pratima achieved something remarkable.
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She cracked the entrance exam for the prestigious Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (OAV) and secured a place on the first merit list. For a child from her background, this was more than an exam—it was a doorway to a different future.
OAV schools provide free, high-quality CBSE education from Classes 6 to 12, but entering them requires clearing a highly competitive exam—often out of reach for children with limited exposure and guidance.
Her family had never even heard of OAV. But Pratima had. She showed up—again and again—with quiet determination. She attended every preparatory session, took every mock test seriously, worked on every piece of feedback, and never missed a single learning group meeting.
She did everything right. And yet, she could not take admission as she could not get a hostel seat. The school was nearly 30 kilometers away, and without access to a hostel, the journey was simply not possible.
For many, that would have been the end. But not for Pratima. And not for her family. She came back. She prepared again. She believed again. And this year, she cracked the OAV entrance exam once more—again making it to the first merit list.
This time, things had to be different. Her father walked confidently with her to the OAV school. Together, they sat across from the principal, carrying not just documents—but hope, effort, and a quiet determination built over years. They spoke about her journey, her struggle, and what this opportunity meant.
And this time, the system responded. The principal assured them of a reserved hostel seat.
For her family, this is more than admission—it is a moment of belief, where years of hardship meet possibility and a new path begins.
And beyond it all, Pratima holds a quiet dream—to become a singer, a musician.
Back to school at 24
Returning to the classroom after 7 years marked by failure, migration, marriage, and motherhood!
After a 7-year break from studies—marked by failure, migration, marriage, and motherhood—Guri Badaraita has returned to the classroom, proving that no dream is ever truly lost.
For many young people in rural India, dreams are often interrupted. Poverty, migration, and family responsibilities force them to step away from education, even though their hearts never leave the classroom. They want to return, but don’t know how.
Guri Badaraita (24) from Thanagaon village, Patrapur block, Odisha, is one such girl.
Once a bright student at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, she failed her Class 10 exam in 2018. The failure broke her confidence. With no guidance and no resources, she left her studies, migrated to Hyderabad, and worked long shifts in a prawn factory.
After returning to her village, she married, became a mother of two, and worked as a daily wage laborer with her husband. On the outside, life moved forward. On the inside, her dream never changed—she wanted to become a police officer.
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For a girl, restarting education after such a long gap is even harder. Marriage, children, and household duties often leave no space for her own aspirations.
But Guri refused to let these challenges end her story. She overcame them all—with courage, persistence, and the support of her family.
Today, she is not just resuming her studies; she is becoming a role model for many other girls in her community who silently carry the same dream.
When Vikalp began working in Thanagaon, Guri heard about the possibility of resuming studies through the Open Schooling system. At first, she refused—₹2,000 for admission felt impossible.
But her in-laws stepped forward to support her, and she finally enrolled last week at Karunakara Nodal School, Patrapur, Odisha.
With tears in her eyes, Guri said, “Thank you, Sir. I feel I have moved one step closer to my dream. It took time, but I have. I will definitely try and become a police officer one day.”
Young people leading a quiet transformation
What changed at a bus stop in a remote village?
Anderghai is a small hill village in southern Odisha. Most families here are marginal farmers, belonging to the Saora community—one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of the region.
In 2023, when we first began visiting Anderghai for learning group sessions, the village felt quiet in an unexpected way. At the bus stop, there was only one young person—a boy—who would stand there, waiting to go to college.
That was the extent of visible aspiration.
But when we see it in 2026, the same bus stop tells a completely different story.
Now, every morning, a group of young boys and girls gathers there. They board the same bus together, travel to colleges and schools, and return around 3 PM—carrying books, conversations, and a shared sense of purpose.
This is not just a change in numbers. It is a shift in mindset.
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Many of these young people had once dropped out. Some had migrated for labour. Almost all are first-generation aspirers, navigating paths their families had never seen before.
Today, many have re-enrolled in education and vocational courses. Several are studying in colleges. Many have received their first scholarships.
For the first time, they are not just reacting to life—they are beginning to shape it. The change is visible not just among youth, but within families and the wider community. Parents now speak of education with hope. They ask how more children who dropped out can return to school and college. They are willing to wait, to support, to believe.
These young people carry a quiet confidence. And perhaps the most powerful image of this transformation is simple: A village bus stop that was once nearly empty…
now filled with young people on their way to build a different future.
In many villages, a young person’s world is quiet—quiet enough that dreams stay unspoken, folded away like clothes saved for a festival that never comes. It’s not a lack of ambition. It’s just that no one asks, and they don’t know whom to tell.
Sometimes change begins in a simple moment: two people standing together after school, talking softly about nothing in particular. No formal setting. No pressure. Just a calm space where a young person feels safe enough to let a thought slip out.
After a long pause, a boy finally murmurs, “I don’t know the right steps after Class 10 — I just want someone to help me see the correct pathways, not the shortcuts everyone talks about.” It’s the first time he has said it aloud. And in that small confession, something shifts.
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Our experience in rural Odisha suggests that shifting a young person’s life path doesn’t always require big interventions. But it does require being present at the right time, with the right kind of support. It takes time and patience.
Meaningful change often starts this simply: two people in an ordinary moment, one speaking softly and the other truly listening. In that moment, a young person realises—my voice matters. And suddenly, the path ahead feels possible.
Namaste. My name is Pradeep Bindhani, and I am 21 years old. I come from Laxmipur, a small village in Gajapati district in Odisha, where only about 50 families live.
But even within those 50 families, we are divided. The so-called upper sahi for OBC caste, and the tala sahi for ST caste. Why must we live divided, even when our struggles are the same?
I am the eldest son in my family. My parents work hard, and my younger brother and sister look up to me. After completing my +2 in Arts, I had to dropout for 2 years.
I became a goatherd, looking after 15 goats, trying to keep food on the table for my family. Each morning, I asked myself—Is this the life I am meant to live? Will my education end here?
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I always loved books. I always loved music. But while walking behind goats in the hills, I wondered—do boys like me have the right to dream of technology, of machines, of a better life?
In 2024, I joined a Vikalp Learning Group in my village. Our learning group is called King & Queen.
For the first time, someone asked me not just what I was doing, but what I wanted to do. During a parent interaction, my mother said that I had always shown interest in technology. My mentor listened.
He asked me questions I had never dared to ask myself—Why can’t you study again, Pradeep? Watching others in my learning group and being asked again and again for over a year, I finally gathered the courage to give voice to what I had always kept hidden inside: I want to join ITI and become a technician.
It was not easy. I was scared. What if I failed? What if I disappointed my family? Still, I applied to ITIs in my area. I was first selected in Mohona ITI, but due to some family issues, I could not join.
That day, my heart broke again. I thought, maybe this is it. Maybe life was telling me to give up.
But my Vikalp mentor did not let me sink. Together, we looked for another option. Finally, I got admission in Rayagada Government ITI, in the Fitter course.
Today, I attend classes regularly. I feel different. I feel confident. I feel like I am finally walking towards a future where I can earn with dignity and support my family.
I know my story is not unique. In my village and thousands like it, many young boys and girls are forced to drop out. They too herd goats, work in fields, or migrate with parents. They too hide their dreams deep inside because no one asks them what they want to be.
We do not need pity. We need opportunity, exposure, and guidance. Just a little support can help young people like me restart their journey.
I have restarted mine. Nothing can stop me now.
“Didi, aap Police Officer kaise bani? Main bhi banna chahti hoon. Maine gaon mein poochha, par koi theek se bata nahi paya. Aap please guide karo.”
This innocent yet powerful question reflects the aspirations of countless first-generation learners growing up in the remote villages of Odisha. Their parents—migrant laborers, marginal farmers, NTFP gatherers, daily wage earners—have given them grit and resilience, but not the roadmaps to careers they dream about.
In many villages, children grow up hearing words like Army, Police, Engineer, IAS, or Air Hostess — but rarely know the path to reach there.
In today’s competitive environment, early career awareness is critical. However, most rural youth lack clarity on which subjects to opt for, the percentage required in Class 10 or 12, the exams to prepare for, and the process to succeed beyond written tests.
This gap often leads to confusion, academic discontinuity, and missed opportunities. Their questions often go unanswered, and their dreams risk becoming smaller than their potential. That is where exposure matters.
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When a young girl meets a police officer and hears her journey… when a boy steps onto a college campus for the first time… when a group of teenagers sits at a laptop and learns how to search for courses online—something changes.
The dream stops being an image in their mind and begins to take shape as a possibility within reach.
Early career knowledge helps plan better, reduces dropout, promotes academic continuity, and gives rural youth a fair chance to build the future they dream of.
These are moments that stay forever. They spark determination, ambition, and confidence. They tell young people: “Yes, this is possible for you too.”
Enhancing Local Community's Capacity
(reducing dependency on outside agencies)
Jhilli Sabar – Champion of nurturing young dreams in her community
Vikalp program, established by Social Shapes Foundation and Gram Vikas, aims to assist underprivileged children and young adults aged 10-24 years in remote rural villages of Odisha. One of the program’s goals is to cultivate young leaders within the community who can drive positive change in their villages and communities.
The program recently achieved a significant milestone by training and developing four young community members as Learning Group Officers (Master Trainers). Two are from Lakhanpur Gram Panchayat in Jharsuguda district, and the other two are from Tumbagarh Gram Panchayat in Ganjam district.
These young individuals are trained to assist others in their local area. This involves sharing personalized information about higher education and careers, helping them create career development plans, and supporting them in pursuing their preferred life goals. These local youth can help guide others in their community to make well-informed decisions about their education, careers, and future without requiring much external help.
We are thrilled to introduce one of our community champions to you.
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Meet Jhili Sabar, a 22-year-old tribal girl from the village of Daleibila, Tumbagarh GP, Ganjam in Odisha, born into a family of eight with limited resources. The family relied solely on her father, a marginal farmer, for their sustenance. The area is cyclone prone, and unfortunately, the agricultural activities yielded minimal returns due to the unpredictable rainfall patterns, resulting in the family grappling with meager income.
Jhilli could sustain her education despite financial constraints with her uncle and aunt’s support in Patrapur, Ganjam. Her perseverance led to her completing her schooling, culminating in a graduation in Computer Applications. Her family’s economic challenges currently hinder her ambition to pursue a career in teaching.
In August 2023, Jhilli joined Vikalp as Vikalp Saathi (Community Cadre). Working with the program team, she boosted her confidence, enhanced her communication ability, and acquired valuable functional skills. After performing well as a Vikalp Saathi for 6 months, she was promoted to Trainee Learning Group Officer. Following a rigorous 6-month training program, she has advanced to the Learning Group Officer position. Her journey with Vikalp has been truly transformative.
Jhilli and their team manage Vikalp program in 12 villages in her Gram Panchayat. She believes this is just the beginning, and she looks forward to assisting low-income families in her community and making a big difference in the lives of many young people in her area.
Vikalp Program Launch in Kerandi Gram Panchayat, Gajapati
Community ringing in Vikalp with a day-long celebration!
From 29th September through 1st October, Vikalp program was officially launched in the vibrant villages of Kerandi, Oyaa, and Engarsingh of Kerandi Gram Panchayat.
To launch the program, the Village Development Committees and Vikalp team co-host a celebration in each village where the whole community came together to plan and put up a show complete with folk dance performances and local delicacies.
During these events, the local leaders and Vikalp team members discussed the details of the program with the community, explaining to them the key features of the program and its potential benefits for young people in the village.
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One of the highlights of the events was the web of dreams activity during which each member of the community – young and old – shared their aspirations with the whole group. They talked about their professional dreams and hopes for their families and community. The group then vowed to support each other in working toward these aspirations.
We’re proud to be working alongside such dedicated and vibrant communities, and we look forward to making an impactful difference together.
Puja Pandey grew up in a family of six that faced numerous challenges.
With limited resources, relying on a small piece of land and a Paan shop for their livelihood, her father was steadfast in his commitment to her education, serving as a role model and a source of support throughout her academic journey.
Inspired by her parents’ struggles, Puja is determined to conquer her fears and work diligently toward creating a better future for herself and her family.
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After completing her higher education in Belpahar, Jharsuguda, Odisha, Puja faced setbacks in her government exams but remained aware of her family’s dependence on her.
In 2022, she joined the Vikalp Program in her village, which she described as one of the best periods of her life, filled with daily learning and anticipation for each session.
Her dedication did not go unnoticed; the Vikalp Learning Group Officer encouraged her to apply for the Vikalp Saathi role, which she pursued with determination, ultimately achieving it and marking a proud moment as she began contributing to her family’s well-being.
Recognizing Vikalp’s mission to empower individuals, Puja set her sights on becoming a Trainee Learning Group Officer (TLGO). She achieved this goal through hard work and celebrated another milestone by becoming a certified LGO in October 2024. Embracing her role, she developed essential computer skills and is enthusiastic about learning more.
Today, Puja plays a vital role in her community, educating youth aged 10 to 24 years about career development, future orientation, and essential cognitive and digital skills.
Reflecting on her journey from a shy scholar to a respected community leader, Puja emphasizes how her involvement with the Village Development Committee and engagement with fellow community members have helped her build confidence and recognition.
Resilience and hardwork do pay off
Right information at the right time can help resolve uncertainty.
Sushant Sabar is a 20 y.o. young boy from Amarsing village in Gajapati district, Odisha. Sushant’s father passed away in 2014 after a cyclone struck their village. He belongs to the Saora tribe – a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). He lives with his mother and his brother, who is a casual laborer. He has two married sisters.
In 2022, Sushant failed his Class 10 math exam and dropped out because he and his family didn’t know he could take the supplementary exam. He started working with his brother instead.
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In 2023, Sushant joined Vikalp program.
In September that year, during a Vikalp meeting, he learned about the open schooling system. Unfamiliar with this concept, he was confused and nervous. With support from Vikalp team and Gram Vikas Mahendra Tanaya Ashram School Headmaster, Prakash Sir, Sushant enrolled and received assistance with his preparation.
During Vikalp meetings, he learned basic computer skills, accessed educational content from specific YouTube channels, and consulted guidebooks.
In February 2024, the exam date was announced. This time, Sushant passed the 10th board exam, but his score was low at 39%. Sushant wanted to study more and join a college.
The college admission process is online, and the Vikalp team worked with him to apply to the right colleges. It’s important to apply to the right colleges based on marks and preferences to avoid rejection.
Young people like Sushant, who lack guidance, often need support to understand suitable college options to save their academic year.
Sushant got accepted to a college in Gurandi, Gajapati, on the 2nd merit list on August 5.
However, he was told he needed a conduct certificate from his previous school dated 2024, which he didn’t have, making him lose hope. Shy and not talkative, Sushant did not verify the information with the college authorities.
Sushant told the Vikalp team about his situation. The team went with him to Gurandi College to understand the real issue. After talking to the right people, Sushant learned that he didn’t need any documents for the years he took off because he had applied through the open school. Small bits of missing information like this can cause significant problems for young people in villages.
Sushant successfully secured his college admission last Friday. He is now a +2 first-year student at Minaketan Higher Secondary School, Gurandi, Gajapati. His family is overjoyed. Sushant looks forward to becoming a senior-secondary graduate.
For Alibha, it is the pride of working hard and never giving up, it is the excitement of spreading her wings and grabbing opportunities toward a bright future. She’s not just an inspiration—she’s a shining example for many girls in her community. With unyielding courage and perseverance, she has shown that when you never stop striving, you can change your world.
This story celebrates Alibha’s journey of strength, dreams and determination.
Alibha Bhoi is from Ainlapada, a small village in the Jharsuguda district in Odisha. Her village is in Lakhanpur Gram Panchayat, surrounded by coal mines. Where the option for most people is to take up precarious work at the coal mines or power plants, Alibha dared to dream differently.
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She is 23 years old, the second eldest of four siblings, and loves Bollywood movies and songs. Her father, a farmer, had to stop working due to ongoing health problems, and her mother stays at home to take care of the family. From a young age, Alibha saw her family’s financial struggles and chose to take responsibility to help them.
Guided by her uncle, who said that the ITI Electrical course could lead to a job as an electrician and help her support her family, Alibha enrolled in the course at the Hirakud ITI College after finishing school in Bhubaneswar. Her dedication was evident from the beginning that her instructors asked her to mentor junior students.
Alibha’s hard work during her apprenticeship with Aditya Birla earned her a one-year contract job. When the contract ended, she joined the Vikalp program to improve her skills, build her confidence, and learn how to succeed in interviews.
Alibha learned about the Non-Executive Trainee – Electrical position at Odisha Hydropower Generation Corporation (OHGC) through her uncle and aunt. She focused her efforts and began preparing for the job. Her dedication paid off and she was offered the position and officially joined OHGC on January 29th, 2024. Today, she proudly works at the OHGC office in Anugul district, Odisha.
Alibha’s dreams continue to grow. She aspires to become a loco pilot, drawing inspiration from those around her, including her high school teacher and her father, who never gave up on her. She’s a role model for her younger sister, who is now pursuing a computer course in their village.
Alibha’s story is a powerful reminder that we can all achieve our dreams no matter how difficult life gets, with determination, a willingness to learn, and the confidence to seek help.
Story of grit and determination, standing against all odds
When the going gets tough, the tough get going!
In 2020, Gouri was studying in the 5th grade as a hosteler at Lingipur, Gajapati, when her mother’s health deteriorated. She had to leave her study and come home. Sadly, her mother passed away after a few months. Gouri could not go back to her school.
Her father, a migrant laborer in Andhra Pradesh, spends most of his time at his place of work. Closer to her mother than anyone else, Gouri, only 13 years old, became very lonely and avoided socializing with anyone after her mother’s passing.
In early 2023, her father married for the second time and started living in a separate house. Gauri moved to stay with her aunt.
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Gouri Karjee is from Lumudasing village in the Gajapati district of Odisha and belongs to the Saora community, which is one of the most primitive hill tribes of Odisha.
She wanted to continue her education, but her aunt’s financial situation was difficult. She didn’t know what to do or who to ask. In 2023, Vikalp program started in her village.
Gouri joined the program and expressed her desire to resume her studies in one of the learning group meetings. The program team supported Gouri by assisting her in preparing for admission-related interviews and documentation work.
With the program’s help and support from the Government high school, Raygada, in the Gajapati district, Gouri was able to secure admission in class 7 under a government of Odisha scheme for orphan girls. This scheme entitles her to free education, lodging, and boarding until class 10.
This opportunity was unknown in her village, and her aunt still finds it hard to believe. Gouri is now very happy as she is back in school. She proudly displays her school uniform and dreams of becoming a graduate one day.
Meet Chandra Munda: An Inspiring former Udaan Scholar and Anganwadi Worker
Success story of one family, inspiration of entire community!
Chandra Munda, a 23-year-old tribal girl from the remote village of Junian in Jharsuguda, Odisha, inspires many.
Despite financial constraints, her unwavering determination and the support of her parents enabled her to graduate in 2019. She is one of the few girls in her Gram Panchayat who has graduated.
However, she faced challenges in finding a suitable job.
Chandra gained essential skills and guidance upon joining Vikalp in 2021.
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Chandra successfully navigated the application process for an Anganwadi Worker position. The program helped her prepare for the interview, build her CV, and arrange the necessary documents.
Today, Chandra serves as an Anganwadi Worker, making her parents incredibly proud and serving her community.
But her journey does not stop here. Chandra remains dedicated to her dreams. “I am grateful for the support of my parents and Vikalp. I aspire to become a high school teacher and am currently planning for it,” she says.