The Transformational Power of Dedicated Perseverance
Tracking Indian Youth: Atish Shejwal
The Pehli Peedi Fellowship presents the first in a series of stories highlighting the experiences of first-generation students across India.
A recent postgraduate in Education and a first-generation college student, 24-year-old Atish Shejwal’s life is one shaped by aspiration, doubt, and quiet perseverance. Here, he talks about motivation, marginalisation, and the subtle transformations that come with finding your voice in unfamiliar spaces.
“Earlier, I used to think I couldn’t get through even small challenges — like not being able to speak English — but now I know I can persevere and overcome them.”
Read his full story below. Profile by Yatika Singh.
Yatika: Hello Atish! Please tell me about your educational background.
Atish: I am from Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Most of my schooling was done in a rural area, in a small village called Toki in the Gangapur block, about 25 kilometres from the main city. I studied in a government school, then moved to Aurangabad city for grades 11 and 12, which was common at the time since there was no other option nearby. Later, I studied in Aurangabad itself for my Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University. Recently, I completed my Master’s in Education from Azim Premji University (APU) in Bengaluru.
Atish giving a speech during APU Student Council Elections in 2024
Yatika: Can you tell me about your family?
Atish: I belong to a marginalised community under the Scheduled Castes. My parents, both of whom studied up to the 10th grade in government schools, are primarily engaged in agriculture. My father also worked in a factory, and my mother is a homemaker who helps manage the farm. Some of our land is owned, while some is leased.
Y: Was education a commonly discussed topic in your community?
A: My peers and I are all first-generation learners. Though there wasn’t frequent discussion, people were generally aware of the importance of educating a child. Most people were working in agriculture, and they didn’t want their kids to do the same work. This made them more invested in their children’s education.
Y: Did you always know you wanted to go to university?
A: Since childhood, I’ve always done well in school — I was usually ranked first or second in my class. That gave me a lot of motivation, and my teachers, along with others who noticed this, encouraged me further. I knew that going to college would offer more opportunities and better facilities to continue my education. At the same time, there were moments when I doubted whether I’d be able to complete it — there were definitely some rough patches. But overall, I stayed motivated. Living in Aurangabad also helped, since the city offers far better access to education than rural areas. And most importantly, my family supported me fully, both emotionally and mentally.
Atish with his parents at the time of joining Azim Premji University in 2023
Y: Could you talk about the times you doubted yourself?
A: After passing grade 12 in Science, I struggled to get admission to college, so I took a break for a year and worked as a security guard in an industrial area. After that, I felt I should return to journalism because I had always wanted to do something in that area and believed I could speak and write well. The main reason for that one-year gap was the academic pressure I was facing at the time. Everyone was preparing for NEET, JEE, etc., but I didn’t feel like I was in that race.
Y: Did you face any language barriers?
A: Yes, in Grade 12, I struggled to understand what was happening in class. There was a major language barrier — I couldn’t follow the textbooks or classroom teaching because of the English. But things changed when I began my Master’s in Bengaluru. That’s really when my journey with English began. I started gaining confidence, making connections, and slowly becoming more comfortable. Today, I can speak and discuss in English with ease, although I know there are still areas I need to work on. But overall, my comfort with the language has improved significantly — it’s much better now compared to when I first started my Master’s.
Y: How was your support system at APU?
A: It was a very supportive environment, and every day I had the opportunity to learn something new. Peers and faculty were both very understanding. The office hours were helpful. The language barrier did exist, but the support I received is what made me stay and continue my degree at that university.
Y: What made you choose education as your current path?
A: APU was my first choice. During the pandemic, I was a part of the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) Survey of 2021. Because of that, and working as a mentor at the Eklavya India Foundation where I spent a lot of time connecting with children, education became an important part of my life. My interviews with people during my Journalism degree also played a role in this decision. When I reached APU, younger people from back home used to call me… I even mentored up to forty people over Google Meet, guiding them on university application procedures.
Atish conducting an interview in his undergraduate days as a journalism student
Y: Did caste or region affect your university experience?
A: Only the language barrier, as mentioned earlier, was a hindrance. During my PG, I didn’t face any barrier or exclusion. I may be a little privileged in this case though, because I was a Student Council member. My caste identity did motivate me, though. Whenever people said I couldn’t do something, I aspired to prove them wrong. Everyday incidents of casteism, however, are beyond your control.
Y: Could you share an instance when you felt marginalised?
A: People would say things like, "You SC students are always complaining about your lack of privilege and your background.” They’d say that since we’re all studying at the same institution, on the same level, there’s no reason to feel disadvantaged. But that mindset ignores the deeper inequalities; it's a sad reality.
Y: What has your journey taught you about yourself so far?
A: I’ve become mentally stronger and gained clarity about what I want to pursue and how to respond to different situations. Earlier, I used to think I couldn’t get through even small challenges — like not being able to speak English — but now I know I can persevere and overcome them.
Y: What do you wish people understood more about first-generation students?
A: I wish more people understood that every learner has different needs. Some need more assistance than others, especially those who haven’t had much access to resources. If people understood this, things would be much smoother.
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.