Nishita Rajput, a social activist and philanthropist from Vadodara (Gujarat), is working to better the lives of underprivileged girls by giving them access to education through a fundraising initiative. She has been working on this noble cause for more than a decade. Her goal is to ensure that no girl is deprived from attending school for lack of financial help. She is a big believer in “beti bacho and beti padho” initative. With the support of her father, Nishita single-handedly raised funds of more than £300,000 to fund the education of 37,500 girls.
Who or what inspired you to support the social cause of educating girls?
My father Gulab Singh Rajput is my role model and the person who has most inspired me. My parents have fostered a supportive environment for me to help those in need ever since I was a child. During summer breaks, we used to call orphanage kids to our home for a stay. My father and I used to go out and bring food, clothing, medicines, and other necessities for people living on the streets.
A rare incident occurred when my domestic maid used to bring her daughter to work and the girl child used to help her mother in her work. The girl has not attended school because of lack of financial support. The girl lacked even the most fundamental life skills. That incident changed my views on girls' education and I began to take initiative to cover the school expenses of underprivileged girls.
How did the initial phases of aiding or reaching out go?
I initially began paying fees for girls’ education from the pocket money that my father used to give me and then through funding. Even the media provided me with a lot of encouragement. Together with my father, I developed a donation system that only accepts account payee checks from contributors, each of which includes the name of the school. We also share the bio data and mark sheet of the girl they are helping. In this way, I act as a mediator between a donor and a girl in need.
What challenges or setbacks did you encounter while crowdfunding?
Although this work may sound admirable, it was not easy at all. The biggest obstacle was persuading individuals to donate money for an individual's education that they had never met before. They developed a level of trust and transparency when I later revealed the specifics of the girl they had assisted, and as a result, they are now making greater contributions for this noble cause.
What other social concerns are you focusing on besides the education of girls?
We started cloud funding tiffin services in Vadodara, where we are providing daily free tiffin services to 204 senior citizens who have no source of income and no one to care for them. I have also employed women to deliver the packed food boxes, thereby helping them earn a living. Recently, we organised an excursion for 51 girls who had a wish to ride in the plane. We provided 500 underprivileged girls their choice of clothing during Deepavali and in Gaurivrat we donate dry fruits and school bags.
What are your future plans?
I'm currently striving to promote girls' education; each year my goal is to raise £100,000 to educate 10,000 girls. I always wanted to start a free, all-girls school where I could provide them access to every amenity. Hopefully, I can achieve my dream someday.
