For Aleena Shaji, education has never been limited to classrooms, examinations, or degrees. To her, education is deeply connected to dignity, opportunity, and social responsibility. Growing up in Idukki, Kerala, Aleena witnessed how teachers often become the moral and intellectual foundation of a community. It shaped not only her career aspirations, but also her understanding of the role education can play in transforming lives.
Today, as a student of the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) at Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, Aleena carries with her a quiet but determined vision: to become an educator who can inspire young minds while uplifting the people and communities that shaped her.
Aleena comes from a family that deeply values education despite financial limitations. Her father, a retired army personnel, now relies primarily on his pension, while income from farming remains uncertain and unstable. Earlier this year, the family faced a difficult period when her father suffered a major health problem, placing both emotional and financial strain on the household. At the same time, Aleena’s elder sister has been pursuing nursing studies in Delhi, making it increasingly challenging for the family to manage educational expenses for both daughters.
Yet, what stands out in Aleena’s story is not hardship alone, but the resilience and purpose with which she approaches life. Her greatest inspiration has always been her mother, a retired elementary school teacher who continues to teach children through tuition classes even after retirement. Watching her mother dedicate herself to students left a lasting impression on Aleena from a young age. She began to see teaching not simply as a profession, but as a way of shaping society at its roots.
Aleena believes that students are the “face of society,” and meaningful social change begins with them. She often reflects on the idea that transforming even a small part of society can create wider ripples of change. This belief became the foundation of her decision to pursue teaching.
Her leadership qualities have consistently reflected this sense of responsibility. During school, she served as a School Leader in Grade 10 and later took active roles in the National Service Scheme (NSS) during Grades 11 and 12. At college, she continues to engage beyond academics as a member of the IRIS society at JMC, contributing to the organization and management of campus events. She also volunteers with an NGO that teaches students from Classes 1 to 12, an experience that has further strengthened her understanding of educational inequality and the importance of mentorship.
Aleena’s interests extend beyond leadership and service. She is an avid reader who grew up immersed in Malayalam literature and books, particularly writings that explored questions of identity, gender, and social inequality. She is especially drawn to feminist literature, which has deepened her understanding of women’s experiences, social structures, and the importance of education in creating a more equitable society.
Looking ahead, Aleena hopes to teach in one of Delhi’s reputed schools while continuing her academic growth through higher studies. She plans to pursue her Master’s degree through distance education from the University of Cambridge to further enhance her academic and professional growth. But her ambitions remain closely tied to her roots. She wishes to use her education and experience to support young students, especially those from smaller towns and financially constrained families who may not have access to quality educational opportunities or guidance. She believes that many talented students lose confidence simply because they lack exposure, mentorship, or encouragement. Having experienced the value of educational opportunities herself, Aleena hopes one day to mentor and guide students who stand where she once stood. Whether through teaching, community initiatives, or academic support, she wants to contribute toward building environments where children are encouraged to think independently, dream ambitiously, and believe in their own potential.
For Aleena, the Shiksha Sankalp Lakshya Scholarship has brought a quieter kind of confidence, the confidence to participate fully in opportunities that come with studying away from home. Moving from Idukki to Delhi was not only a geographical shift, but also an intellectual and cultural one. The support allows her to engage more freely with college life, academic experiences, volunteering, and the broader exposure her parents hoped she would receive. In many ways, it gives her the space to focus not only on managing circumstances, but on growing into the teacher and individual she aspires to become.
Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) at NIT Silchar, Assam
AI & Data Science at M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Karnataka
