“Ladke aur Ladki mein koi fark nahi hai.”
In the heart of bustling Amberpet, a young math tutor embarked on a journey of empowerment and transformation with Rubaroo. Keerthika, driven by a passion for education and social change, joined Rubaroo’s Youth Resource Center (YRC) in 2021, eager to make a difference in the lives of local adolescents. Little did she know that her experience would shape her perspective and ignite a fervent desire to challenge societal norms and advocate for equality. Keerthika shares her remarkable growth, resilience, and empowerment through her poignant reflections and impactful anecdotes.
A Calling for Change
Amidst the chaos on her first day at Rubaroo, where she was left bewildered, the young kids’ enthusiasm and curiosity came to her solace. Having taken tuition in a classroom environment, Keerthika was surprised and didn’t know how to work with these kids.
“At first, I was nervous and thought it was a space with a typical classroom setup for a tutor. But mai surprise hogayi ki aisa kuch nhi tha. The kids were keen to learn while creating chaos for me; it got easier with time.”
As time passed, Keerthika built a bond with these kids and spent time with them – understanding their lives, issues, and much more. It became a haven for her as she rejoiced in interacting and made good friends with Imtiaz, who helped her navigate the space.
“I’m a lazy person and mujhe patience nahi hai. But main Rubaroo ke kaam ke liye kaafi keen thi. My mom was like, yeh tu hi hain kya – jab Rubaroo ka naam aata hai toh tabhi bhagti hai.”
Challenging Gender Norms
For Keerthika, Rubaroo became more than just a tutoring center; it became a sanctuary for challenging societal norms and advocating for gender equality. Through her interactions with students and other facilitators, she began to confront her biases and champion the rights of young women to pursue their dreams.
“I’ve seen in my friend’s families that girls aren’t allowed to move around freely or do things they want. There’s a gender discrimination. On the other hand, my parents don’t tell me anything, and let me do as I wish. I’m pursuing my B.Tech, and I wish people realize ki ladke aur ladki mein koi fark nhi hai. Ek kyu nahi samajh sakte.”
Beyond this, Keerthika’s journey with Rubaroo fostered profound personal growth and development. By embracing challenges as opportunities to grow, Keerhika emerged stronger and more confident.
“Mujhe thoda patience kam tha par yaha aane ke baad patience badha mera. Maine samjha ki baccho ke saath rehkar unki tarah sochna padega, unki tarah samjhana padega. Toh mai kafi excited hoti thi aur jaati thi every Thursday. It became a ritual for me that I would spend more than an hour and talk to children about their school life, friends, and all. Na sirf yeh…I also learned Excel sheets, form filling, database, and other organisational skills.”
Empowering Youth Engagement
As she reflects on her experience, she noted the curiosity among kids from government schools and correlated that to how private school children study. It was heartwarming for her to see that level of interest and curiosity among the kids at the centre.
Lastly, Keerthika offers a compelling message to fellow young changemakers: “I would say that young people need to join Rubaroo, come here to learn something new, naye logo se mile, baat kare, aur apna knowledge badhaye.” Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and the empowerment of youth to become catalysts for positive change within their communities.
Looking ahead, Keerthika remains steadfast in her commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. “I wish to return to the space and work towards eliminating gender discrimination, kyunki abhi bhi kafi ghar mein ladkiyon ke prati discrimination hota hai,” she declares passionately.
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