Sanjeev is a second-year law student at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, Lucknow, where he plays an active role in IDIA’s LFA Vertical, a responsibility he values deeply, given his own earlier unawareness of pathways into legal education. He grew up in Bahorikpur, a small village in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, in a family living below the poverty line, with his father working as a small farmer and his mother as a homemaker.
Despite the constraints, Sanjeev’s parents placed great emphasis on education. He studied in a government school until the 10th grade and then earned admission to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kirtanpur, a competitive and merit-based residential school, marking a significant milestone in his academic journey. During these years, a major ear operation pushed the family into debt, and his partial hearing loss, combined with the unaffordability of a second surgery, created an additional hurdle. Even so, he continued to work steadily toward his goals.
After completing school, Sanjeev cleared the CLAT in 2022; however, financial constraints made it impossible for him to take admission. Even then, he did not give up on his goal. He enrolled in a BA Programme at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, to continue his studies, and it was during this period that he first heard about IDIA from a senior. Recognizing the opportunity, he applied and was selected for IDIA’s training programme. With coaching support at Legal Edge, Bhopal, he prepared again, retook the exam, and secured a seat at RMLNLU, where he has since fully immersed himself in academics and campus life.
Alongside his academics, Sanjeev has sought experiences that help him understand why many in communities like his often see the law and government institutions as distant or unapproachable. His internship with the Centre for Social Justice in Ahmedabad introduced him to grassroots legal empowerment and pro-bono work, allowing him to see how everyday legal problems are shaped by a lack of awareness, access, and trust. His subsequent internship with a chamber at the Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench, enabled him to build key skills in research, drafting, and case analysis, and gave him a more grounded understanding of the difficulties individuals encounter within the formal justice system.
Looking ahead, Sanjeev intends to pursue a career in judiciary, where he hopes to contribute to a justice system that is more responsive to the needs and realities of diverse communities. His journey, from a small village in Bahraich to a national law university, speaks to his resilience and to his commitment to strengthening the connection between people and the institutions meant to support them.
