Balika Vadhu to Doctor: Her Family Sets an Admirable Example for All Women in Rajasthan

21-year-old Rupa Yadav was married when she was in class III. The traditional society of Rajasthan expected an innocent 8-year-old to bear the responsibilities that follow Hindu weddings. Young Rupa expressed her will to study further in life. Unlike other patriarchal families, her husband and brother-in-law encouraged her to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. She relentlessly toiled for 13 years in the hopes of fulfilling her aim. This year when the NEET results were declared, Rupa secured an AIR-2612, scoring 603 marks, thus fulfilling her dreams.

Rupa’s journey was full of highs and lows. However, she successfully managed to overcome all the obstacles in her way. Sincerity, determination and family support did the trick. This is how Rajasthan’s meritorious daughter-in-law set an example for others.

Meet Rupa, the Girl who Taught us to See Beyond Unrequited Traditions…

Rupa belonged to a poor farmer family in Kareri (Chomu, Jaipur). She and Rukma, her elder sister, were married in the same family. Being sincere in studies, she scored 84% in class X exams. During that time, her family organized ‘gauna’, a traditional ceremony where married daughters are sent off to their in-laws’ place.

Rupa’s family and clan motivated her to pursue higher education. Seeing her determination, Rupa’s husband Shankar Lal enrolled her in senior section in a private school. Sagacious Rupa scored 81% and 84% in classes XI and XII. After passing school, she juggled between studies and domestic life, pursuing B.Sc. at college. Simultaneously, she appeared for the AIPMT exams.

In her first attempt, she secured 415 scores, failing to qualify for admission in a government medical college. She almost lost hope, if not for her husband and brother-in-law Babulal Yadav, who sent her to Kota for medical preparations. In 2015, a dexterous Rupa joined Allen Career Institute for PMT coaching. To cover her expenses (tuition, transport, food, and accommodation), her husband and brother-in-law worked as part-time auto drivers, besides working on the field.

In 2016, she gave her second attempt, scoring 506 marks, but failed to secure a seat in a government college. Seeing her extraordinary zeal, the management of Allen Career Institute offered her 75% scholarship. This encouraged her to work extra hard and finally; she achieved her dreams this year.

In these three years, Rupa faced several problems in life. The women in her village instigated her family to discontinue her studies. Her family lost her buffalo—a major source of earning for their folks. Nevertheless, her husband and her brother-in-law never gave up.

Quoting her as an example, Mr. Naveen Maheshwari, Director, Allen Institute decided to sponsor her MBBS degree for next four years. Rupa’s teachers and family members are proud of her achievement.

Student’s like Rupa are truly an inspiration for us. They teach us how to get over orthodox mind set and oddities in life. We sincerely wish her all the best for her future endeavors!