The Pehli Peedi Fellowship presents the first in a series of stories highlighting the experiences of first-generation students across India.
The iniquitous societal setup and systemic bias were unable to deter Ranvir’s enthusiasm for pursuing higher education. His determination — a true “never give up” spirit — helped him triumph against the odds, and today he is pursuing his passion through a PhD. His journey, which may seem easy from the outside, has in fact been thorny, and a few uncertainties still linger. He shares his favourite quote: “The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point, however, is to change it.”
Read his full story below. Profile by Prachi.
Prachi: Tell me about yourself. What does a typical day in your life look like?
Ranvir: I am Ranvir, 25 years old, and currently a Research Fellow in Media and Cultural Studies at Himachal Pradesh University. I usually spend my day with students and working on my research. I’m researching Artificial Intelligence and the narratives around it. I also love talking to people, so the university is a great place for that. Every evening, I walk back home, which is around 6 km from the university.
Prachi: How was growing up in your hometown/village/city like?
Ranvir: I grew up in Shimla, which is not a city in the typical sense. I like to call it a “city village” because Shimla is never in a hurry — you can enjoy life, enjoy people, finish all your work, and still have ample time. Most people are inside their homes by 9 pm. Growing up in such a calm, slow, and loving place was a pleasure. Being a mountain city, we didn’t have dedicated playgrounds, so we played on the roads, which were usually free of traffic back then. I enjoyed playing and eating without worrying about health or calories — no counting back then!
Prachi: Can you tell me about your parents and how educated they are?
Ranvir: My ancestry is from Uttar Pradesh. I was born in Shimla, but my parents came from Lucknow for work. We’ve lived here for more than 15 years now, which makes me a Himachali bonafide. My father worked in a corporation that manufactured liquor. He had only primary education and didn’t earn much, so we barely managed in a city like Shimla, where rent and groceries are expensive. He also supported his unemployed brothers, which added to our struggles.
My mother is a homemaker and played a major role in my life. She did not attend school; play schools weren’t common then, and even if they were, we didn’t know about them nor could we afford them. She learned basic Hindi and English alphabets and counting on her own, and she taught me. I owe my entire education to her; I am nothing without her. She made paper bags at home, and together we sold them to shopkeepers. That helped sustain my education. I am their only child.
Prachi: How do you think being a single child has impacted your life?
Ranvir: I used to get bored at home, so school became a place I loved — I didn’t want to sit idle. We didn’t have luxuries, so that didn’t matter much. I did wish for a younger sister to care for. Other than that, I don’t remember anything significant. I’ve always been sharing and compassionate. But yes, being a single child made it financially easier for my parents to educate me.
Prachi: Which school did you attend? Government or private?
Ranvir: I went to a private school, though its fees were almost the same as a government school. The school was small and had low enrolment. Initially, I felt bad about it, but later I realised it was a blessing because teachers could give individual attention to every student, which benefitted me. Apart from academics, I learned sports, theatre, and other activities professionally. We regularly performed plays at Gaiety Theatre, a beautiful Gothic theatre on Shimla’s Mall Road built during the British era.
Prachi: Have you faced any kind of discrimination based on caste?
Ranvir: No, I personally didn’t face discrimination — being from an upper caste helped. But yes, people often asked each other’s caste, and if someone said they were upper caste, they were considered “good” by default. Many teachers were from upper castes, so I heard a lot of reservation bashing. I saw my classmates face discrimination, and it was very disturbing.
Prachi: As a first-generation learner, who motivated you to study? Was it the same for your classmates in class 12?
Ranvir: Yes, I’m a first-generation learner. Our financial situation was a major motivating factor, apart from my mother. I believed that if I studied hard, we would have a better life — our own home, good food, vacations, new clothes, everything. I studied at D.A.V. Public School, Lakkar Bazar, Shimla. My classmates mostly came from affluent families. I never shared anything about my background because I feared being judged.
Prachi: Were there any hurdles you had to overcome to go to college?
Ranvir: Absolutely. I had PCM in 12th and scored well — I was among the toppers without coaching. I cleared JEE Mains without coaching as well because we couldn’t afford it. But during NIT counselling, we realised that even though it’s government-funded, we couldn’t afford the BTech fees. So engineering was not an option.
I qualified for PU and Ramjas College at DU, but my father was hesitant due to finances. I was very angry then, but later I understood that we couldn’t have managed in Delhi or Chandigarh. Finally, I took admission in a local government college in BSc Natural Sciences with Maths Honours.
Prachi: Was your university experience different from your college experience? Were your expectations met?
Ranvir: No. My university years (Himachal Pradesh University) were overshadowed by Covid. For a year, we had no physical classes. Online classes weren’t enough for Media Studies — it needs practical learning.
Most of my college friends dropped out due to financial constraints and started low-paid jobs. I was anxious that if things didn’t work out, I might face the same fate. University days were full of anxiety.
Prachi: Are there issues you feel students from your background face?
Ranvir: Yes. First, the lack of a proper study environment at home. We lived in a single rented room; privacy was impossible. Second, since my parents weren’t literate, I had no one to consult or guide me. Till university, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Lastly, I lacked resources — books, English TV shows, cultural exposure — things that shape a child.
Prachi: How has your background shaped your experience?
Ranvir: A lot. My parents weren’t native Hindi speakers; my mother still struggles. Students like me were teased, even punished by teachers for language barriers. Class was another disadvantage — I was always underconfident.
Prachi: How do you manage academic pressure or stress? What uncertainties do you have about your future?
Ranvir: Talking to friends helps. There are very few stable jobs in academia. I’m anxious about whether I’ll get a well-paying, stable job. Academia also runs heavily on networking, and I don’t have big connections, which adds to my anxiety.
Prachi: Is there any group or space where you feel connected with others like you?
Ranvir: I feel at home when I’m with close friends. I also visit Gaiety Theatre often, watch plays, and connect with theatre groups, because I loved acting and scriptwriting. But my interest faded because of certain experiences I had as a child.
Prachi: What were your goals before joining university? What are they now?
Ranvir: Earlier, it was to read as much as possible, create high-quality academic work, and contribute meaningfully. That remains the same, but now I also want a good job.
Prachi: What is “success” for you at this stage?
Ranvir: Contributing to academics, having good publications, and buying things my mother always wanted.
Prachi: Have you ever felt like leaving or questioned your place?
Ranvir: Never. If such thoughts come, I push them away immediately.
Prachi: How has your social experience at university been? Have you felt out of place?
Ranvir: Yes, at times. Many people in academia are non-cooperative. I never share my background because biases are multifaceted and I don’t want to increase my challenges. Students like me do face class-based bias, so I prefer not to tell anyone.
Prachi: How are you financing your education?
Ranvir: I’m funded by UGC under the NET-JRF scheme. I am now the sole earner in my family; my father retired in 2022. Before receiving the scholarship, I taught Mathematics to sustain my home.
Prachi: Do you have mentors?
Ranvir: Yes, so many. They have supported me throughout, from school to university — notably Bhavana Ma’am, Subhash Sir, and Dr. Vikas Dogra.
Prachi: Do you feel being first-gen affects how others perceive you?
Ranvir: I don’t tell anyone. This interview is the first time I’m saying it openly. Only a few close friends knew.
Prachi: Describe your journey so far. What have you discovered about yourself?
Ranvir: Despite the toxicity and discrimination I’ve faced, I remain kind — to myself and others. I think that shows my spirit of resilience.
Prachi: What advice would you give to first-gen learners starting out?
Ranvir: Most people around you may think you don’t belong at the highest level — but you must believe otherwise. The sky is the limit.
Prachi: What is one thing first-gen learners need to succeed?
Ranvir: Support from the government and institutions would help greatly.
