National Girl Child Day: Celebrating daughters who rose from adversity, and why every girl belongs in school

At a time when gender inequality, school dropouts, and early marriage continue to affect millions of girls, National Girl Child Day serves as a reminder that educating girls is not charity, it is nation-building. National Girl Child Day is observed in India every year on 24 January. The day has been celebrated since 2008, when it was launched by the Government of India. It was to highlight the challenges faced by girls in India, promote their rights, and encourage society to support their education, health, and empowerment. Today, as we mark this important day, we celebrate girls who rose from poverty, loss, disability, and discrimination to succeed through education. Their stories show us what is possible when a girl is allowed to stay in school.

Why National Girl Child Day Matters in India

Despite progress, India still has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school girls globally. Poverty, lack of access to schools, domestic responsibilities, and social norms continue to push girls out of classrooms.

Stories of Girls Who Defied the Odds Through Education

Rohini: From farm labourer to NIT Trichy

Coming from a poor tribal family in Tamil Nadu, Rohini worked as a daily wage labourer in agricultural fields to support her family. At night, she studied under a torchlight due to lack of electricity. In 2024, Rohini became the first girl from her community to crack JEE Main without coaching and secure admission to Mechanical Engineering at NIT Trichy. 

Anupriya Gavade: A young mind shining in Mathematics

Despite financial constraints, Class 8 student Anupriya Gavade secured All India Rank 4 in the Ramanujan Mathematics Challenge 2025. Competing against students with access to advanced training, her success demonstrated the power of curiosity and self-learning. Her achievement was covered by education and national news platforms underlining the importance of encouraging girls in STEM education.

Preethi A.C: The gritty journey from Kannada-Medium schools to IAS

The daughter of a farmer in rural Karnataka, Preethi A.C studied entirely in government-run Kannada-medium schools. With no access to expensive coaching institutes, she relied on self-study and her academic background in science. In 2024, she cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination with AIR 263 on her third attempt. Her journey, reported by Times Of India, inspired many first-generation learners across India.

Anupriya from Rajasthan: Excellence amid loss

While preparing for her Class 12 board exams in rural Rajasthan, Anupriya lost her father to a chronic illness. Her mother took up a job as a school cook to support the family. Despite immense emotional and financial strain, Anupriya scored 97.4 percent in the RBSE Class 12 exams in 2024. 

Dharaksha Parveen: When a life story became a textbook lesson

Born in a poor village in Bihar, Dharaksha Parveen migrated to Kerala with her family in search of stability. Enrolling in a government school, her journey as a student and writer gained widespread attention. In 2025, her life story was included in Kerala state school textbooks, as reported by Mathrubhumi, The New Indian Express, The Hindu, and many other leading news dailies, making her an inspiration for students across the state.

Ummul Kher: From a Delhi slum to the Civil Services

Born with a rare bone disorder and raised in a Delhi slum, Ummul Kher was disowned by her family for wanting to study beyond Class 8. She supported herself by tutoring children in her neighbourhood. She went on to score 91 percent in Class 12, earn a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, and clear the UPSC examination with an All India Rank of 420. 

Priyalakshmi: From inconsistent schooling to a shining Tech Career

Raised by seasonal labourers in a Hubli slum, Priyalakshmi struggled with anemia and frequent school disruptions. Through persistence and academic excellence, she secured a full scholarship to a leading engineering college in Bengaluru by 2025. She is now interning at a deep-tech startup and aspiring to work with global technology firms. Her story reflects the life-changing impact of scholarships for underprivileged girls.

Navya: Choosing education over child marriage

In her Karnataka village, Navya faced the threat of early marriage. She walked four kilometres daily to attend school and studied using borrowed textbooks. Her efforts paid off when she scored 89 percent in Class 10 and, in 2025, became the first girl from her village to pursue engineering after qualifying through KCET. 

Prerna Singh: A NEET score that changed everything

After her father’s death left the family burdened with debt, Prerna Singh’s mother began driving an auto-rickshaw to support her daughter’s education. Prerna responded by scoring 686 out of 720 in NEET 2024, securing her path to medical college. 

Why these stories matter and why your support Is essential

Each of these girls succeeded because education remained within reach, but unfortunately, millions of girls in India are still at risk of dropping out due to poverty. This National Girl Child Day, you can help ensure that more girls stay in classrooms and not on the margins.

Support mission ‘Every Girl In School’

Our mission ‘Every Girl In School’ helps girls from economically weaker families continue their education by supporting school fees, learning materials, nutrition, and consistent attendance.

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A monthly donation for girl education can help remove barriers that force girls to abandon their dreams. By supporting initiatives like Every Girl In School, you help ensure that the next generation of girls can learn, lead, and build a stronger India.