Nineteen year-old V N Banerji of Vadrapalem village, Madakasira mandal, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “It is unfortunate that girls in my village are forced to discontinue their studies once they attain puberty. I have been trying to persuade the parents of many girls to readmit their wards into school. Some of them have listened to me and their girls are back in school. My own classmate Shankaramma was forced to drop out of school after her father’s death and work in the fields. I was extremely perturbed by this. I offered to tutor her myself and under my guidance she managed to pass out of school with a first class. But she did not have money to go to college. I was once again distressed that such a bright student was being denied college education. I am trying to ensure that she can at least attend a vocational course so that she gains some livelihood skills.

My neighbour used to ill treat his wife. He has married for a second time and would pass on all his first wife’s belongings to her. This caused a lot of friction and tension in their home. I could not bear to watch it. I urged my father to intervene arguing that this man is setting a bad example for others. My father was reluctant at first but began to see my point of view. We went across and spoke to the family members. The result of our efforts has been that the second wife has left the home. There is peace now.”