We often hear about people receiving scholarships on merit and going abroad. Earning a merit-based scholarship not only boosts one’s confidence, but also instils a sense of accomplishment and motivation, because it reflects the recognition of one’s hard work and potential.

When I was in my first year of higher secondary school, I wished to pursue my bachelor’s degree abroad. To turn this dream into reality, I thoroughly researched my options. Luckily, there was a ‘Study Abroad Expo’ taking place around that time. I attended the event to learn about the procedures involved in studying abroad.

During my visit, I interacted with representatives from various countries and asked them about the admission process and fee structure. I was quite shocked to hear that the fees could go beyond 30 lakhs, far more than I had expected.

As I was specifically searching for a fully-funded scholarship, I made sure to meet with all the instructors at the Study Abroad Expo. Fortunately, I came across a fully-funded scholarship opportunity for studying abroad. However, the eligibility criteria were quite tough, and the competition was intense.

I was filled with mixed emotions, both happiness and sadness — because the scholarship required scoring above 90% in HSSC. Eventually, I returned home and shared everything with my elder sister, who was a teacher.

She was happy to see how serious I was about my goal. As I shared all the details about the scholarship with her, she began teaching me regularly to help me achieve more than 90%.

In addition to her support, I worked hard and dedicated more time to my school preparation, cutting down on other activities. Fortunately, I managed to score 90% in my HSSC. My sister was very supportive throughout and was overjoyed when she saw my results.

Soon after the HSSC results were announced, the scholarship application opened. I informed my friends about it, and some of them applied as well.

I applied for the scholarship very carefully, making sure to avoid any mistakes. There were only five seats available, which made the competition even more intense. I was quite nervous, especially knowing that the process was being monitored by government authorities and so many students had applied as well. I was torn between hope and despair, as such opportunities are often reserved for those from elite and affluent backgrounds.

I waited anxiously for the results. Finally, the day arrived. I searched for the announcement, but unfortunately, the scholarship was awarded to a few students who had strong connections and came from privileged families.

I felt like my dream had shattered into a thousand pieces. But instead of giving up, I decided to dig deeper and investigate on my own, because I knew I didn’t deserve this outcome, especially when I was aware that one of the students who received the scholarship wasn’t academically strong at all.

As I continued my research, I discovered something disheartening: the boy’s father was among the officials responsible for overseeing the scholarship selection process. That revelation hit hard, it confirmed the bias I had feared all along.

With the help of my father, I filed a case against them in court, backed by proof of their fake certificates. I was in despair, knowing how difficult it is to get justice in this country. Everything seemed to come at a cost and in my case, it meant facing constant threats from the boy’s family. They tried to intimidate us, threatening my family repeatedly.

We didn’t give up. We remained firm in our pursuit of justice, working tirelessly and writing numerous letters to the concerned authorities, hoping that the truth would eventually prevail.

Eventually, the government authorities responded and took notice of my case. After reviewing the evidence, the boy’s application was rejected. The entire selection process was restarted, this time with a thorough verification of all submitted documents to ensure their authenticity. And the scholarships were awarded to truly deserving candidates and I was among those shortlisted.

It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life, I couldn’t hold back my tears. I had fought for what was rightfully mine, and I had won. My father hugged me tightly, his eyes filled with pride. To celebrate my success, my family arranged a small party in my honour.

That day taught me a powerful lesson: nothing is impossible in this world, not even the things you dare not hope for. Dreams do come true with persistence, dedication and unwavering commitment. And above all, justice is always worth fighting for.

Published in Dawn, Young World, May 3rd, 2025