Ashweetha Shetty: How education helped me rewrite my life

The narrator shares her journey from a rural Indian village, where girls are often seen as burdens, to becoming an educated woman who founded the Bodhi Tree Foundation. Inspired by her mother's struggles and Helen Keller's autobiography, she pursued education against societal norms. Her story highlights the challenges faced by rural youth and the transformative power of education. Through her foundation, she empowers others like her to find their voice and value in the world.

What motivated the narrator to teach her mother to write her name?

• Her mother's insistence

• A desire to help her mother feel independent

• A school assignment

• Her mother's request

How did the narrator's mother initially react to learning to write her name?

• She was eager and excited

• She was reluctant but eventually tried

• She was indifferent

• She refused outright

What societal belief did the narrator challenge in her early life?

• Girls should not work

• Girls should only focus on education

• Girls are a burden and have limited roles

• Girls should travel abroad for studies

What did the narrator's mother advise her regarding her dreams?

• To pursue them at any cost

• To focus on marriage

• To finish high school first

• To forget about them

Who inspired the narrator to pursue higher education?

• Her sister

• Helen Keller

• Her teacher

• Her mother

What was the narrator's main reason for applying to the fellowship program?

• To meet new people

• To learn a new language

• To escape marriage

• To travel to Delhi

What was a significant challenge the narrator faced during her fellowship?

• Financial difficulties

• Lack of academic skills

• Feeling alienated and judged

• Language barrier

What nickname was given to the narrator during her fellowship?

• City Girl

• Scholar Girl

• Coconut Girl

• Village Girl

What is the primary goal of the Bodhi Tree Foundation?

• To offer scholarships for international studies

• To build schools in urban areas

• To support rural youth with education and opportunities

• To provide financial aid to rural families

What change did the narrator hope to bring through her foundation?

• Increase urban migration

• Promote traditional crafts

• Transform rural education and opportunities

• Encourage early marriage