NIRMA University, Ahmedabad
From the serene village of Didwana in Rajasthan’s Dausa district, emerges a trailblazer named Shivani Sharma, whose journey exemplifies the pursuit of quality education and the dream to bring about a positive change in society. Born to hardworking farmers, Shivani’s parents envisioned a brighter future for their daughter, despite financial constraints that loomed large.
Enrolled in Swami Vivekananda Govt Model School in class 8th, Shivani’s world transformed when she experienced the power of quality education at a low cost. With unwavering determination, she secured the second rank in Rajasthan in class 10 among 72 schools, becoming the talk of the town and capturing newspaper headlines. Driven by the desire to contribute to her society, Shivani’s brother recognized her passion for working for people and encouraged her to explore law as a career option.
Despite the challenges faced by girls in her small village, Shivani made a resolute decision to pursue law, motivated by a painful incident within her own family, where justice remained elusive due to lack of education and financial resources. Witnessing the complexities of law, Shivani realized that legal education was only accessible to a privileged few, leaving many deprived of their rightful justice. Determined to bring change to her society and empower those who lacked resources, Shivani aspired to be a voice for the underprivileged.
However, the high fees of law colleges seemed insurmountable. Shivani’s hopes found a lifeline when she discovered Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access (IDIA) through a YouTube toppers talk. With IDIA’s support, she began preparing for CLAT, relying on their coaching and study materials. Overcoming challenges as a Hindi medium student, Shivani’s journey was filled with perseverance, guided by IDIA’s personal mentorship, doubt sessions, mock tests, and mental health and strategy classes.
An active member of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Shivani conducts awareness camps, participates in state-level debate competitions, and dedicates her time to teach underprivileged children in her community. Her dream is to bring justice to those in need, provide quality education to children, and eradicate gender discrimination in her village and beyond.
Shivani Sharma’s story reflects the power of determination, support, and the desire to uplift society. Her journey with IDIA exemplifies the impact of organizations working towards inclusivity in legal education. As Shivani embarks on her path to become a change maker, she envisions a future where justice prevails, education reaches every child, and gender equality becomes a reality in India’s rural heartlands.
