Coming from a rural background, Vishal has faced challenges related to language, limited exposure, and a lack of guidance. Yet he has always believed in working hard and seeking help when needed. At university, he has not only engaged seriously with economics but has also explored his interests in music and sports by joining clubs such as Kabaddi and Economics, and he now plans to join the Music club as well.

Through this Fellowship, Vishal hopes to deepen his understanding of social issues, develop strong leadership skills, and find ways to support students like him who come from small towns and villages. He aspires to become a mentor for others, just as Yogesh Sir was for him. In the future, he aims to work in the field of economics and public policy, contributing toward creating equal opportunities for rural youth.

Hisan is a Sociology student who has recently completed three years of the Integrated Master of Arts programme at Hyderabad Central University. Hailing from Alappuzha, Kerala, she brings a thoughtful academic curiosity and a strong commitment to understanding how social structures shape the everyday lives of young people.

Her journey in the social sciences has nurtured a long-standing aspiration to build a career in academia. At the same time, she remains deeply rooted in the belief that scholarship must contribute meaningfully to society, especially through grounded, practical forms of social work. It is this dual commitment—to intellectual inquiry and to tangible social impact—that draws her to the Pehli Peedhi Fellowship.

Through the fellowship, Hisan hopes to engage closely with the experiences of first-generation learners, listening to their stories with care and documenting their journeys with integrity. She sees this opportunity as a way to bridge research with practice—using her sociological training to highlight the systemic barriers students face while also celebrating their resilience. For her, this work is not only about storytelling; it is about amplifying voices that matter and contributing to a more just and inclusive understanding of education.

Allen David Simon is a postgraduate student, pursuing M.A. (Political Science) at St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata (University of Calcutta). An aspiring research scholar, he graduated as valedictorian with B.A. Honors (Political Science) from St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata in 2024, and has been a researcher with the Student Research Committees under the International Association of Political Science Students (Department of Political Science, Concordia University, Montréal) since. He is a commentator on post-colonial Asian political culture, with his works being featured in Ramjas Political Review, Fair Observer, Eurasia Review, Mainstream Weekly, South Asia Monitor, etc.

Deepa is a student of Political Science and Sociology with a strong interest in storytelling that brings underrepresented voices to the forefront. Her academic work and field experiences have deepened her understanding of how structural inequalities—particularly in education—shape the lives of young people in complex ways.

Through the Pehli Peedi Fellowship, she seeks to further engage with the lived experiences of first-generation learners. The fellowship offers a unique opportunity to listen closely, document honestly, and narrate powerfully the journeys of students who are reshaping their families’ histories through education. She hopes to use her research and writing skills to amplify these voices, challenge stereotypes, and highlight both the systemic barriers they face and the resilience they embody. For her, this work is not just about storytelling—it is about building understanding and solidarity through responsible and ethical media practice.

Prachi Chauhan hails from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. She completed her Bachelor's degree at the Government Degree College (Centre of Excellence), Sanjauli, Shimla, and went on to earn a Master’s in English and Cultural Studies from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Now back in her hometown, she is engaged in independent research while also pursuing a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.

As a Pehli Peedhi Fellow, Prachi sees this opportunity as a transformative one—especially for someone rooted in a smaller city. Deeply inspired by Eduardo Galeano’s words, “Many small people, in small places, doing small things, can change the world,” she is committed to documenting the lives and journeys of first-generation learners in Shimla. Her work seeks to honour their stories and bring the voices of her community into wider public discourse.

Sumaiya Shahid is a 23-year-old postgraduate student in the Department of Political Science at Presidency University, Kolkata. As a first-generation learner and a Muslim woman, Sumaiya is deeply committed to exploring the lived experiences of marginalised communities, with a particular focus on Muslim women. She aspires to pursue a PhD to further this line of research and contribute to more inclusive academic and public discourses. Sumaiya sees the Pehli Peedi Fellowship, as an opportunity to take a meaningful step towards amplifying the voices of first-generation students and deepening her understanding of their social contexts, while also developing as a scholar and researcher.

Riya is a second-year Political Science student at the University of Delhi with a growing interest in law, global governance, and international arbitration. As a Pehli Peedi Fellow, she is driven by a deep belief in the power of storytelling to challenge dominant narratives and illuminate the lived realities of first-generation college students. Drawing from her background in debate, community engagement, and personal advocacy—including a TEDx talk on body image and self-acceptance—Riya brings both empathy and insight to her work. She views this Fellowship as an opportunity to build nuanced, human-centered narratives that go beyond struggle to capture the complexity, ambition, and strength of those too often left unheard. Through careful listening and thoughtful storytelling, she hopes to contribute to a more just and inclusive conversation around education and equity.

Mir Kouser Gulzar lives in Kashmir and is a PhD research scholar at the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Kashmir. Her research interest lies in gender and digital media. She has been the National Gender Fellow 2024 by IT for Change, with a focus on the utilization of social media by women of Kashmir. For this fellowship, she aims to narrate the unexplored experiences and narratives of the Pehli Peedi Fellows into a space where they are equally heard and understood. 

Radha Pokhariya is a second-year undergraduate student at Ashoka University, pursuing a major in Economics and Finance. As a Pehli Peedi Fellow, she is committed to documenting and amplifying the stories of first-generation college students—narratives that are often overlooked in mainstream discourse. She sees this platform as a powerful opportunity to highlight the resilience, challenges, and accomplishments of those navigating higher education without traditional support systems. Radha looks forward to learning from fellow storytellers and engaging deeply with the role of narrative in shaping public understanding. Through her work, she hopes to contribute to a more inclusive, compassionate, and equitable academic environment by centering voices that are critical to discussions on education and social mobility.

The Pehli Peedi Fellowship is our effort to centre their experiences and bring visibility to the structural barriers they confront. As we bring you the next story, we are also excited to introduce the fellow behind it—Rashika.

Rashika is currently pursuing a dual degree in English and Education. With a deep interest in stories, education, and social equity, she views the Pehli Peedi Fellowship as a meaningful opportunity to amplify the lived experiences of first-generation learners. Through the fellowship, she aims to document powerful, real stories that reflect resilience while also interrogating the structures that shape access, identity, and belonging in higher education. Rashika aspires to grow into her own as a storyteller and, in the long run, to use storytelling as a tool for raising awareness and driving social change.

Sabnam Khanam holds a postgraduate degree in Political Science from Presidency University, Kolkata. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of caste, gender, and minority studies, while her creative pursuits include polaroid painting and hand embroidery. As a first-generation learner herself and a Pehli Pedhi Media Fellow, she seeks to shed light on the often-overlooked challenges faced by these students. Through her work, she hopes to encourage a dialogue around privilege in academic spaces and contribute to building environments where first-generation learners feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Yatika is a student of Sociology, Economics, and International Relations who is driven by understanding people against their contexts. She believes that visualising people as data points in statistics is incomplete without also imagining them as human beings with complicated histories, opinions, and dreams. Yatika hopes to bring awareness to the complexities of negotiating life as a first-generation learner - without some of the support systems other students take forgranted - in her time as a Pehli Peedi Media Fellow

Sapna hails from a small village in Bihar and has a deep passion for community empowerment and public policy. Her unique strength lies in her ability to connect with communities, build trust, and effectively drive initiatives at the grassroots level.

“I'm Bhumeshwari, a 21-year-old pursuing my master's in development at Azim Premji University. I graduated from Fergusson College in Pune. Originally from the small village of Mahalgaon in Maharashtra, I've experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating higher education from a disadvantaged background.

As a first-generation learner myself, I intimately understand the challenges and struggles that come with pursuing higher education from a disadvantaged background. My own journey, from scratch to eventually attending university, has given me a unique perspective on the importance of perseverance and resilience.

I'm passionate about collecting stories from fellow first-generation learners, as I believe their experiences and struggles are worthy of recognition and reflection. By sharing our stories, I believe we can create a powerful narrative of hope and empowerment, encouraging others to pursue their educational aspirations without feeling held back by their circumstances.”

“I’m Aditya Shukla, a 5th year law student with a growing interest in public policy and its intersections with law, climate, education, healthcare, and urban governance. I’m particularly drawn to understanding how systems impact people’s lives. Through the Peheli Peedhi Fellowship, I want to learn from and document the stories of first-generation learners across diverse backgrounds. I hope to create space for their narratives to be heard with empathy and depth, and to reflect critically on how policy, and social attitudes shape their journeys.”

Learn about Nivedita in her own words-

“My name is Nivedita Rakshit, and I am a student of English Literature with a strong passion for journalism. My interest in this field arises from a deep urge to challenge societal injustices and give voice to the unheard. I believe that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public awareness and driving positive change, which inspires me to pursue it with dedication.”

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Shahab is a passionate journalist and writer from the historic city of Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Having recently completed an MA in Journalism and Mass Communication, he is deeply dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. His articles have been featured in prestigious magazines, including Guftgu. Beyond journalism, Shahab is also committed to social welfare and community development. He is the founder of the Badruddin Memorial Foundation in Gorasara, Ghazipur.

Currently, he resides in Lucknow with his family while continuing his journey in journalism, literature, and social activism.

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Learn about Nehal in her own words-

“I am a 20-year-old journalism student at Delhi University with a deep passion for storytelling and photography. I believe that every person has a story worth telling, and I want to be the one to bring those stories to light. That’s why I joined this fellowship—to explore unique, hidden narratives that often go unnoticed.

For me, journalism is more than just reporting facts; it’s about connecting with people, understanding their lives, and giving them a voice. This fellowship gives me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, talk to people from different backgrounds, and improve my social skills—all while doing something meaningful for society. I want to be part of the change, and I believe that by sharing real-life struggles and triumphs, I can contribute to making a difference in the world.”

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Learn about Jyotsna in her own words-

“I’m an economics graduate, writer, and theatre-maker, and storytelling has always been my way of making sense of the world. Since 2018, theatre has helped me explore society and the people around me through the power of stories. With this fellowship, I hope to dive deeper—understanding what today’s youth think about the world we live in, their perspectives on the future, and the direction India is headed. More than anything, it’s an opportunity to embrace different opinions, engage in meaningful conversations, and see the world with greater empathy and awareness.”

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“I am currently in my last semester pursuing journalism from Christ Deemed to be University, Delhi NCR. I am a chota packet with big dreams who believes that she can change the world with her words and magic. It all started in eight standard when my teacher asked “What do you wanna be when you grow up?”

“A Journalist,” I answered with hesitation. This little girl is now so proud of getting a chance to intern at organizations like PTI, NDTV, Times Network, Danik Bhaskar and many more. And now I am extremely happy and grateful to be a part of such a good initiative. Looking forward to being a valuable asset to bring out the voices of those who are always left behind.

Always been inspired by many, now on the path to be the inspiration. With a mission to change the world.”

For her first profile, Paridhi brings you the story of Rishek Sinha, a 22-year old from Bihar who works as an accountant in Ghaziabad.

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