Niharika is pursuing an Aerospace Engineering (dual degree) programme at IIT Madras. She joined the course in 2016. Being from a lower-middle-class family from Bihar, it was difficult for her to make friends. Her grades were also not good enough for any scholarship.

However, in 2019 she secured a summer internship in Walmart Labs India as well as a summer research opportunity at Purdue University, which unfortunately got cancelled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, she won the Pratibha award for excellence by Eaton, when she secured a bronze medal under the women’s powerlifting competition at IIT Madras. She has now learned new skills and has improved considerably in her academics.

Says Niharika, who lost her father in 2010: “I am thankful to Literacy India and RBS for sponsoring my college education and hostel fees. I can now focus on my career. I have even got the freedom to try different things, experiment with my life and grow.” She plans to sponsor the education of and guide needy children when she becomes financially independent.