Deepak
Age: 17

“I want to become a news reporter when I grow up. The plan is to first do my graduation in BA Programming and then study Mass Communication. I like History; I loved reading about the Mughals. I hate Maths from the bottom of my heart.  My father is a vegetable vendor and has been working hard to provide for me and my 4 siblings. All of us are studying right now. He wants me to chase my dreams. He tells me to do what I want and that he’ll take care of the finances. My oldest sister wanted to become a doctor, but she couldn’t quite crack it. She’s in her final year of graduation right now. We’re going to marry her off as soon as she’s done with it. Last year ho jaega, itna pad liya, bahut hai (She doesn’t need to study any further). Aaj kal ladkiyon ko samaj mein bahar bhejna bada woh hota hai (Sending women out into the society is looked down upon). We wanted her to be educated for her own happiness and so that her in-laws don’t shun her as unpad, gavar (uneducated, ignorant). ”

– As told to Tania Goklany. She met Deepak at Samiksha Shiksha Sanstha in Delhi’s Sangam Vihar.