This is the inspiring story of Anjali Agrahari, a young woman from Nashik who turned her struggles into stepping stones toward a brighter future. The Non-Traditional Livelihood (NTL) program, is implemented by Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA) with the support of Bajaj Finserv, played a key role in opening new paths for Anjali-paths that have taken her closer to her dreams. Yogesh Nerpagar, Project Manager at CYDA, through this story, highlights how timely support, consistent mentorship, and inner strength can bring changes in lives.
Rising Through Struggles
Since a young age, Anjali Agrahari (23) has carried the weight of many responsibilities. She comes from a modest family with five siblings. Her father, a daily wage labourer, always believes that education has the power to change lives. “Children must study. That is our future; these words stayed with Anjali and became her motivation. The family often struggled to manage basic needs-sometimes even skipping meals. Anjali had no electricity to study at night, and affording tuition was impossible. Yet, she never lost focus and tried very hard to fulfill her dream of becoming an IAS officer. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physics.
After completing her degree, life presented a tough choice. Anjali’s mother became seriously ill, and the younger siblings needed her. Anjali chose to stay back and look after her family. Her ambition to become an IAS officer had to take a back seat. While caring for her loved ones, she began searching for ways to support the family financially, hoping to find a way that would also keep her dream alive. She didn’t let her circumstances define her. Instead, she looked for opportunities to grow, even if slowly.
A New Path :
Everything began to change when the CYDA team visited her community. Moved by Anjali’s quiet determination and resilience, they invited her to join the Non-Traditional Livelihood (NTL) program. Although unsure at first, Anjali saw an opportunity to learn something new and enrolled. The NTL program provided her with training in communication, soft skills, teamwork, career planning, MS Office, internet usage, and the basics of artificial intelligence. Travelling long distances to attend sessions did not deter her. She used her travel time to revise and read, making every minute count.
First Steps Into Employment
With the support and mentoring from the team, Anjali started preparing for job interviews-a completely new experience for her. Although she faced rejections at the beginning, she remained positive and continued to learn from each attempt.
Her persistence finally paid off when she was offered a job as a Computer Trainer at Infosoft Computers, with a monthly salary of Rs. 13,000. Bringing home her first pay cheque was a deeply emotional moment. Her father, who once dreamed of educating his children, now saw his daughter become the backbone of the family.
Balancing Work and Aspirations
Even after starting work, Anjali didn’t stop dreaming. She continues to prepare for the UPSC exams, studying late into the night after returning from work. Alongside her job, she is learning graphic design and advanced software skills to build a stronger future. Her passion for learning drives her every day. As Anjali says, “If we stop learning, we stop growing.” Anjali’s story is a reminder of what can happen when determination meets opportunity. She has become a role model for her siblings and her community. Her courage to keep moving forward, even when the road is hard, inspires everyone around her.
