The Pehli Peedi Fellowship is our effort to centre the experiences of first-generation college students 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—Vishal.
Vishal Sitra comes from a small village in the Kaithal district of Haryana and is a first-generation college student. He is currently pursuing a B.A. (Hons) in Economics at Azim Premji University, Bhopal. With his parents having studied only up to primary and middle school, going to college was never an obvious or expected path for him. However, with support from his uncle and his guidance counsellor, Yogesh Sir, he learned about this opportunity and decided to pursue it.
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.
