Stories of Change

Poorvika's life has been full of challenges and hardships, but her biggest inspiration has always been her father. Even though he passed away four years ago, she has never lost sight of his vision for her life. "At first, I didn't know which path to take. I had so many aspirations and dreams. I wanted to be a doctor, a lawyer, a businesswoman, and so much more. But my father always wanted me to be an engineer, and that's what I decided to pursue. If I ever get the chance, I would love to explore all those other options. But my ultimate goal is to make my mother and family happy and to help those in need." Her father, a farmer, was the driving force behind her decision to take the JEE exam. He always wanted her to attend either IIT or NIT, and he used to show her videos of these institutions on YouTube. He never stopped encouraging her to take the challenging JEE exam.

Enrolling in JNV was a turning point for Poorvika, especially since her family struggled financially. JNV was a reputable school with a CBSE curriculum up until class 12, and it provided her with free coaching classes and mentorship programs facilitated by Avanti during her 11th and 12th grades. These resources enabled her to focus on her aspirations while addressing her family's financial circumstances.

In 2019, tragedy struck when Poorvika's parents were attacked by a swarm of bees while working in the fields. Her mother was lucky to survive, but her father, who had been in poor health for years, succumbed to his injuries. Despite the devastating loss, Poorvika was determined to make her father proud and ensure her mother didn't have to work in the fields anymore. She worked tirelessly, putting in 5-6 hours of study each day, preparing not only for JEE qualification but also for a seat in NIT/IIT.

Poorvika benefited greatly from Avanti's test preparation program, specifically designed to help students like her succeed in competitive exams. The program focused on developing the skills and knowledge needed to excel in exams like JEE, which require a deep understanding of complex concepts and the ability to solve difficult problems. Avanti's teachers helped her identify her strengths and weaknesses and provided her with strategies to overcome any challenges she faced. Moreover, Avanti provided her with up-to-date information about various reputed colleges and examinations, expanding her knowledge about the opportunities available.

With her hard work, perseverance, and the help of her Avanti teachers, Poorvika cleared the JEE examination with a remarkable 92 percentile and secured a seat in Electronics and Communications Engineering at PES College of Engineering, Mandya. Poorvika has defied many odds and is on the path to fulfilling her dreams and in the process creating a safe and stable future for her family.

Rajkumar's preparation for the JEE exam began on a farm, not in a classroom like most other aspirants. Coming from a farming family presented unique challenges. Although Rajkumar's education at JNV was covered, his parents couldn't afford JEE coaching or books. Despite these obstacles, Rajkumar understood the importance of a good JEE score. He spent his summer and winter vacations working alongside his parents to earn money for JEE study materials. He prepared for the JEE exam in the limited time he had left, but his efforts could only take him so far. Without peers, teachers, or mentors, Rajkumar struggled to prepare for one of the toughest and most competitive exams in the country.

That same year, Avanti Fellows began its test prep program at Rajkumar's school, giving his JEE preparation a much-needed boost. He started attending Avanti's test prep classes, gaining immediate access to free JEE coaching, books, mock tests, past exam questions, doubt-solving sessions, and, most importantly, mentorship. Weekly tests helped him identify his weak areas, and the guidance of teachers put him back on track to achieving his dreams. Within a few months of Avanti's program implementation, Rajkumar showed great promise, ultimately earning a spot in the 95th percentile and 73,699 rank in JEE Main 2024. Rajkumar’s journey exemplifies the importance of educational equity and why Avanti Fellows exists. His brilliance, resolve, and determination would have taken him far, but Rajkumar is now poised to make an even greater impact on society with the right resources and timely support.

Currently preparing for JEE Advanced, Rajkumar dreams of becoming an IAS officer to improve educational opportunities for children in rural areas, who often work on farms instead of studying in school. His story of determination and hard work brings us immense encouragement and underscores the importance of our mission to promote equality in education.

Numerous challenges have marked Thrisha's journey as a student. She lost her father when she was in the third grade, which placed immense pressure on her mother, Hemalatha, to provide for Thrisha and her brother. Hemalatha took loans from vendors to support the family and to fund her son's college education until she secured a job as an attendant at Infosys in Mangalore. With a fixed monthly income, the family's financial situation stabilized. Hemalatha's job at Infosys is more than just employment; it represents hope and opportunity. Her perseverance and hard work have ensured a steady income, enabling the family to overcome difficult times and pursue their dreams. Despite her challenges, Hemalatha has inspired Thrisha, embodying resilience and determination.

The family's situation improved when Thrisha was admitted to JNV Dakshina Kannada, where she received free schooling throughout high school. Thrisha was determined to support her family and just needed guidance towards a suitable career path. Through her school's Avanti test prep program, Thrisha learned about opportunities in competitive examinations like JEE and NEET. With a clear understanding of her strengths and a passion for joining ISRO, she prepared for the JEE examination. Supported by her teachers and the retention program, Thrisha scored 91.5 percentile with a category rank of 41,694.

Thrisha's story is even more remarkable because of the shared ambition between mother and daughter. While Hemalatha dedicates herself to her role at Infosys, Thrisha is diligently preparing for the JEE Main examination, aspiring to secure a future as an engineer—potentially at the same company where her mother works.