51茶馆

Manali Ghodeswar YIF 鈥�25 is a first-generation learner from Maharashtra. She recently completed her Master鈥檚 in International Business and Sustainability at Sciences Po, France (Exchange Semester).

Passionate about social impact, she trains slum-dwelling school dropouts in computer skills, teaches English and Maths to middle-school students, and leads activities at Basti Varchi Shala. A playwright and trumpet player, Manali continues to work with marginalised children in slums and villages.

“My journey from Nari to France feels like a rise from the ground to the sky. While I always had the courage to dream, YIF gave those dreams direction and the confidence to pursue them.

It played a defining role in my personal and academic growth. Its curriculum emphasised holistic development, while the Professors consistently believed in me and guided me forward. The program team created a safe, motivating environment where learning felt purposeful. Through peer learning, I gained confidence in sharing ideas, broadened my perspective, and learned the value of collaboration.

Because of YIF, my confidence improved, my personality evolved, and I started to believe in my potential. The fellowship gave me the courage to turn aspirations into achievement,” shares Manali.

鈥淐oming back to India and meeting my family after my journey at Sciences Po, Paris, made me realise something very deep. When a girl from a marginalised community goes abroad to study at a global university, she does not go alone. She carries her family, her basti, her village, and her entire community with her.

This was not just my personal journey from Nari to France; it was a collective journey.

At Sciences Po, I learned much more than what textbooks could offer. I was exposed to global classrooms, diverse cultures, critical thinking, and European academic systems. I learned how policies are debated, how projects are designed to be sustainable, and how ideas travel across borders. Most importantly, I learned to see my own lived experiences from a global lens without losing my roots. When I returned from Paris and came back home, I could clearly see how this journey became inspirational for many young people, especially girls from similar marginalised backgrounds.

It sparked conversations, questions, and dreams that were earlier left unspoken. It created belief where doubt once existed, courage where fear once lived, and confidence where silence had been normalised.

This journey showed that global education is not only for a privileged few, but it is possible for us too, for students coming from government schools, small villages, and communities that are often left out of global narratives. Representation matters, and sometimes, one lived example can open doors for many.

This journey would not have been possible without the constant support, guidance, and belief of the people who stood by me at different stages. I am deeply grateful to Shridhar Sethuram, Akshay Shelke, Karan Bhola, Pascale Ract and Young India Fellowship at 51茶馆 for making this path easier and for believing in my potential.

I carry this journey with humility and responsibility, and I hope to continue giving back to the communities that shaped me.

Because when one girl moves forward, many move with her,鈥� shares Manali

– Written by Manali Godeshwar and Shahambare T