“Strength does not come from physical capacity; it comes from an indomitable will” -Mahatma Gandhi
The above quote of Gandhiji blends with Simran Rai’s life. Our Shakti, Simran Rai, a 12th-grade student from a small village Sikadenpur Ghosi in Harayana, does the unexpected. Head Girl at the prestigious Pine Crest School, a confident performer with over 80 stage appearances, and a rising star in the world of yoga and dance – her achievements paint a vibrant rainbow against a backdrop of battles. But how did a marginalized girl from a humble background, a household filled with the constant rhythm of chores, reach such heights?
Challenges and Dreams
Simran Rai lives in a small house with a room, kitchen, and bathroom wrapped closely together. Her father, a tireless street vendor, who sells chole kulche, and her mother, a devoted homemaker, work long hours, their dreams knotted with their children's. Simran's own dreams grow amidst this storm, and her strong determination keeps those dreams alive.
Before dawn breaks, Simran is awake, her day revolves around school, Sarvam training, and library visits, and she returns home at 9 pm. She helps her mother prepare food for her father's stall and helps with household chores, snatches precious hours for homework amidst the hustle and bustle of home life, and sleeps only when the house finally falls silent.
Simran’s strength within
Simran finds strength in her challenges and her family's struggles shape her compassion and determination. Her parents, the biggest motivators in her life, beacons of optimism and support, recognized her boundless potential and sought every opportunity to nurture her dreams. When someone feels down, she motivates them and boosts their confidence. This extends even to the children at Sarvam, whom she motivates and encourages to learn.
She believes in equality and treats everyone with equal respect. The storms in her life never sadden her. Instead, she attributes her dignified qualities to those hardships and considers the life she has, a gift. Now, as her family's greatest hope, Simran carries their belief in her, shouldering the load with a smile and a heart that never stops giving.
The Guidance and Growth in Her Journey
The clouds continue to float In Simran’s life but with the sun behind it. Her school, teachers, and Sarvam recognize Simran's remarkable potential, encouraging her every step of the
way. The school and the teachers encourage her talent for English and provide the nourishment she needs to keep going. At Sarvam, she thrives in yoga and dance and is showing remarkable progress, fetching a place in Sarvam’s dance group. She feels that
Sarvam is the decisive moment in her life and Ms. Hemangi Bhatnagar, Bina Di, and Vijay Bhaiya serve as her pillar of support. Bina Di taught her the importance of language and tone, and Vijay Bhaiya always motivates her to be better. The healthy meals and juice provided by Sarvam keep her strong and help her pursue her dreams.
Deeply grateful, Simran is determined to give back to Sarvam and Ms. Hemangi. With her parents' encouragement, who deeply value Sarvam's impact, she helps in countless ways. She stays up late helping in event preparation, assists with office work as she has an interest in management, and even contributes her creativity to Sarvam's media content.
From Rain to Rainbow: Simran’s Rise
‘A rainbow is a promise of both sun and the rain’
The clouds that brought the rainstorm and the sun together produced a seven-colored arc in Simran’s life. Thanks to the firm belief of a teacher at her previous school, The Happy School, Simran secured a 100% scholarship to The Pine Crest School, one of Gurugram's finest educational institutions. This marked a turning point. Since joining Sarvam in 2019, she's performed over 80 times at prestigious venues and her first performance was a yoga performance at Silver Oaks. Her initial fear of the stage has blossomed into leadership; she now guides and inspires many Shaktis. Simran's rise to Head Girl at her school shows her amazing growth and is a victory, given her background. She also won First Place in the School Annual Day Program this year 2024.
Currently, she’s preparing for her higher studies and going to join as a teacher intern at The Heritage School for the academic year 2024-25 along with 4 other Shaktis. Such achievements have given her a boost of confidence and a new dimension to her life. More rainbows await! With a pure heart, clear intentions, and the courage to take on challenges, she will continue making her parents and everyone proud. Her willingness to work hard for 12 hours, even alongside household duties, shows her dedication to any cause that aligns with her passion.
She Inspires a Generation
Simran is a hard worker who never complains, despite her challenges. Her only concern? Time – 24 hours simply isn't enough for this ambitious girl. Her parents, while not financially strong, are rich in love and continuously support her dreams. Their belief in her and their positive outlook has shaped her into the remarkable young woman she is. Simran's ambition to be a good human being is, perhaps, her most profound achievement. Her home life, and constant struggles, bring strength to her character. Day by day, she fights to become a
respected independent woman, and her dedication inspires other girls facing similar hardships, proving that dreams can bloom even in the most difficult situations. We wish every household had parents like Simran's, so every child's dreams could be nurtured with the same love and belief.
Written by: Shagunthala Ravi
Proofread and edited by: Kritika Saraf
Superb work done
Great work done
Superb work done