The Pehli Peedi Fellowship presents the first in a series of stories highlighting the experiences of first-generation students across India.
Growing up in a remote village near Shimla, Rishika’s journey into higher education has been shaped by resilience, loss, and quiet determination. A first-generation university student, she has navigated social discrimination, financial constraints, and institutional gaps with optimism and resolve. Today, as a postgraduate student of Political Science at Himachal Pradesh University, she envisions a future where education becomes a tool for dignity, independence, and change.
“Being kind is akin to being a lamp post.”
Read her full story below. Profile by Prachi.
Prachi: Hi Rishika, thank you for your time. Can you tell me about yourself?
Rishika: I’m Rishika, and I am 22 years old. I live beyond the vibrant fields of Dharkarewdi village near Chail Koti in Shimla, about 35 kilometres from the main city. My parents, like many families in my village, are engaged in agriculture. My elder brother is preparing for admission into a B.Ed. course, and my younger brother is currently in Class 11. All three of us studied in government schools throughout our schooling. At present, I am pursuing my Master’s degree in Political Science from Himachal Pradesh University.
Prachi: Rishika, could you tell me about your school experience and the college you attended?
Rishika: Since I come from a small village, I had to switch schools. Until Class 10, I studied at Government High School, Dharkarewdi. For Classes 11 and 12, I attended Government Senior Secondary School, Koti, which was farther from my village, though it did not create major difficulties. Both my brothers studied in the same schools. After that, I enrolled at Government Degree College, Chail Koti, which opened in 2014. This was a huge relief because I could not afford to move to the city for college, and doing so would have placed additional financial pressure on my parents.
Prachi: Can you tell me about your parents and their educational background?
Rishika: My father is a farmer and has studied till the 10th standard. I lost my biological mother when I was around three or four years old. My father remarried so that my elder brother and I could be cared for better. My mother has also studied till the 10th standard and is a homemaker.
Prachi: Has your family situation impacted your life in any way?
Rishika: No, it felt very normal for my elder brother and me, and it did not affect my studies. In fact, my mother has always supported me in continuing my education.
Prachi: As a first-generation learner in your family, who motivated you to study further?
Rishika: My father has been my biggest motivation. He believes that educating a girl is extremely important because after marriage, she moves to a different family, and education gives her the power to have a voice in her in-laws’ household. Additionally, Govind Sir, my Mathematics teacher in Class 10, motivated me to pursue college because I was good in my studies.
Prachi: Have you faced discrimination based on caste?
Rishika: Yes, I have faced caste-based discrimination, especially in my village. Certain practices still exist, such as being made to sit separately during marriages. I don’t want to go into specific details. I want to change this reality by educating myself. Every time I speak about it, I find it difficult to control my tears—it is nerve-racking and deeply painful.
Prachi: Were there any hurdles in accessing college? How many students from your class continued higher education?
Rishika: I had no idea about CUET or other entrance examinations. I learned about CUET only when my friend Muskan mentioned it toward the end of my first semester in college, as she had appeared for it. Although I scored well in Class 12, I settled for less and joined Government College, Chail, because it was feasible—it was only five kilometres from my home—and affordable. Out of 40 students in my Class 12 batch, 35 continued their higher education. The remaining five were girls who were married off early.
Prachi: How was your university experience compared to college? Did it meet your expectations?
Rishika: Yes, it was very different. My college library was small, and academic discussions were rare. When the college opened in 2014, only one boy from my village had gone to Himachal Pradesh University to pursue an MA in Hindi. Now, I am the one from my village studying here. After joining the university, I had to make many adjustments. Although I scored well in the entrance exam, I did not get a hostel, which was essential for someone like me. However, having access to a larger library and more books has been a blessing. At the university, you meet people from diverse places, unlike college where most classmates were from the same village.
Prachi: What challenges do students from your background commonly face?
Rishika: First-generation learners have limited access to information and resources. Not getting a hostel affected my studies in the first two semesters. I also felt very isolated at the university and did not push the authorities much. Entrance exams like CUET entered my life too late. Another major challenge is the lack of a local support system—my parents cannot leave their work to assist me, so peers and friends become extremely important.
Prachi: How do you manage academic pressure, and do you have concerns about the future?
Rishika: I am very optimistic. I truly believe I will create something meaningful out of my life, so uncertainties about the future do not trouble me much. Initially, not getting a hostel caused a lot of stress. I kept hoping I would get one after the first semester, but when that didn’t happen, I made peace with it. I now live in a rented room near Lakkar Bazar, about eight kilometres from the university. The travel is exhausting, and managing academic pressure remains challenging.
Prachi: What were your goals before joining the university, and what are they now?
Rishika: During college, my goal was to pursue postgraduation, and that dream came true when I cleared the HPU entrance exam. Now, I am preparing for the UGC NET alongside my Master’s degree. I want to be financially independent, especially since my father will be financing my elder brother’s B.Ed. degree. I also wish to pursue a B.Ed., but through self-financing.
Prachi: What does “success” mean to you at this stage of your life?
Rishika: I will consider myself successful when I become a teacher. I want to shape students at the foundational level so that they do not have to face the struggles I did. For me, success is having a stable job.
Prachi: How has your social life been at the university? Have you felt out of place?
Rishika: I struggled to build a social life in college, and the same continues at the university. In school, I spoke mostly to one girl named Sheetal, who later came to Shimla to pursue a BA LLB. In college, I found it difficult to make friends and immersed myself in books to cope with the feeling of alienation. At university, I do not interact much. I believe I am an introvert, which makes socialising very difficult.
Prachi: How are you financing your education?
Rishika: Currently, my father is financing my education. During college, I received the Kalpana Chawla Scholarship, which made my undergraduate education easier.
Prachi: Do you have any mentors, formal or informal?
Rishika: My father is my biggest mentor. Apart from him, Dr. Devender, who taught me Political Science in college, has been a major support system. He guided me with notes and books. I also received guidance from a senior in college, Ajay Bhaiya, who continues to support me even now.
Prachi: How would you describe your journey so far, and what new thing have you discovered about yourself?
Rishika: My journey may not seem very inspiring yet. It has been difficult, but the presence of the right people made it easier. Earlier, I resisted change and preferred staying in my comfort zone. After coming to the city, I have become more open to change. I adjusted my routine, timetable, and even my sleep cycle.
Prachi: What advice would you give to first-generation learners just starting out?
Rishika: Many students in my village are drawn toward drugs. I would strongly advise first-generation learners to stay away from such habits, as doing so automatically improves focus on more meaningful goals.
Prachi: What is the one thing first-generation learners need most to succeed?
Rishika: Motivation. I have personally experienced how powerful motivation can be through my parents and teachers. If needed, one should try reading self-reflective books to stay encouraged.
Prachi: You mentioned reading for motivation. Could you share your book list?
Rishika: I mostly read academic and competitive exam-related books. Recently, I have read Atomic Habits by James Clear, Energize Your Mind by Gaur Gopal Das, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, and Godan by Premchand.
Prachi: Can you share your favourite quote?
Rishika: Yes, it is also my WhatsApp bio: “Being kind is akin to being a lamp post.”
This is an ongoing series of profiles documenting the experiences of young people across India. Stay tuned for more stories from first-generation students across India. Follow us on social media for more updates.