B. Navyashree from 7th standard, Z.P. and Girls High School, Kuppam, is a joyful girl, radiating optimism and confidence in every word she lets out. She loves coming to school and interacting with teachers and friends who show her the same love and care she gets at home. Occasionally, during our interaction with her, she admits that she indeed gets much more affection at school than she gets at home. “I love coming to school. Our teachers treat us like our parents. Indeed, they take care of us more than our parents do. Our headmaster is strict, yet extremely caring. All of them help us a lot in studies,” she says. “I also have a best friend at school. She is like a mother. She helps me with my studies and everything else I need. She pulls me out of difficult situations. If anyone blames me for a mistake I have not made, she stands by me and speaks up. She is more than my best friend,” she adds.

Navyashree loves her classes on social studies. Recollecting her interaction with her teacher, she articulates, “My class teacher, Subhashna ma’am, is tough on us but I learn so much from her. I learn how to behave with others. She helps us explore concepts outside our lessons. When she teaches chapters from our textbook, she deviates a bit and relays words of wisdom from her experiences. She does not consider it wasting time, but teaching how to be in society. She teaches us how to be safe when we go out.”

The class 7 student wants to join the IAS ranks when she grows up. She says that both her parents had similar dreams but could not achieve them. When asked for the reason behind her goal, she replies “I have a younger sister but she is not as sharp. She studies in this school but does not fare that well. If I become an IAS officer, I can support her and bring her a good name.”

The little dreamer is also determined to serve people. “I want all of them to have a good future and live a life of dignity. I don’t like seeing older people begging on the roads. It fills me with sorrow. I aim to build houses for them and admit their children to school who otherwise work for money. I want them to realise their goals and do well in life,” she relays. 

Navyashree attained her dream when she was in 2nd standard. She and her father had discussed his dreams and he had one of joining the police force. Recounting this experience, she elaborates, “That made me want to become a police officer. Then I joined a dance class and liked it too. So, my goal wavered between a dancer and a police officer. Noticing that, I decided to give my best in my studies and see how I proceed.” 

“One day, my teachers asked me what I wanted to be. I thought about it during bedtime. I further enquired with both my parents. I had known about my father’s dream but my mother said that she wanted to become an IAS officer. Since then, I pursued the dream of becoming an IAS officer. Once in that role, I will lead people towards growth and encourage sharing of resources amongst everyone,” she continued. 

Navyashree is on a constant lookout for information on IAS and also speaks to her grandparents about it. “They say people in the IAS are helpful. They are also good at communication. I want to work on these qualities so that people look at me with pride,” she says. 

Navyashree lives with her mother and sister. Her mother makes garlands for idols and earns from small projects. She is extremely responsible and the only one who earns in the family after my father's demise. Speaking about her mother, Navyashree says “I like and respect her a lot. I cannot express it in words! She is the foremost in my life.” The young IAS aspirant loved her father, who was an auto driver. They lost him when he went to tend to a family issue. “My birthday was on 23 June. He left us 10 days after that. Since then, my mother has taken care of us,” she adds. 

Navyashree moved from a private school to a government school about four years ago. Recollecting it, she elaborates “I love this school a lot. When I was younger and in a different school, I wanted to be a class leader. I wanted to take responsibility for my class and bring it a good name in the entire school. I also wanted to be known as a good leader in the school. But I could not be the first, second or third leader. I was made the fourth leader. But when I came to this school, I came first in my class and became the first leader. I even got a stationary kit as a token of appreciation from my principal. In this school, I am faring well and my dreams are coming true.” 

In her free time, Navyashree enjoys studying and dancing. She says, “I like western dance the most. I used to go to dance classes and my teacher told me that I dance well. However, I had to discontinue when my mother was pregnant with my sister. Ever since, I danced by watching performances on TV. I dance every day. Apart from that, I also go to parks and temples in my free time. I go to temples every Friday.”

The 12-year-old likes sports too but she acknowledges that she has to be in school for that. “There is nobody to play with at home. I have joined the school throwball team and I am playing well. This month, we are playing an interschool match. I am sure we will get the cup!” she admits.

“In this school, I also started getting the mid-day meals. I like Friday’s menu the most. We get leafy dal which has a wide variety of pulses. I also love the pickle and white rice we get in that menu. It tastes exactly like what my mother makes! I usually do not like eating outside because it is unhealthy. But what we get here is healthy and tastes like homemade food,” she says, describing the mid-day meals in school. “After eating the meals, I enjoy discussing academic topics with my friends. This helps me grasp what is taught in class better,” she adds.