Brought up in Hapur, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, Sonal has persevered to attain quality education throughout her life. She used to travel daily to nearby cities for better education since the age of 8. She has always felt the responsibility to prove that her parent’s efforts are worth the pain. Her dedication and sincerity was awarded with a Full Scholarship by school for the academic session 2012-2013. Apart from being a good student, she has always participated and won laurels in numerous competitions and events like Poetry in Motion, Debate, Theater, Jingle Competition, Sports, Band Performances (Guitar).
Her quest for higher studies landed her at Gargi College, where she pursued Economics Honors. More than the classes, she enjoyed what she learned outside the classroom. Her social and leadership skills enabled her to contest and win for positions like Class Representative and President of the Economics Society. One of the most gratifying moment for her was when her faculty members promoted her from the post of the Vice President of the Economics Society to that of the President’s, and that too in the middle of her term. She also went on to win the award of the Best All-Rounder of the Economics batch. She feels overwhelmed to have been invited to attend sessions conducted by foreign diplomats, such as the talk on Indo-US Relations by the Former US President- Mr. Barack Obama, and a speech on the US-India Business Relations by Ms. Nisha Desai Biswal, Former Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. Being a data enthusiast, she has worked on several term papers, one of which was even published in her department’s magazine. She has also worked as an Instructional Designer with NIIT Limited.
Each day Sonal wakes up with the courage to break the gender stereotypes prevailing around her. Being a rebel that she is, her intentions are as pure as water, and her determination is as strong as an anchor in a storm. Her dream project is to open an NGO that will fight against the injustice prevalent against the women, such as domestic violence, marital rape, and the deprivation of education and employment opportunities. Through YIF, she hopes to explore her capabilities that can help transform her into an agent of change and a contributor to the growth of those around her.
Favourite Quote: “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
