At TheCSRUniverse, we often find ourselves at the intersection of resilience and opportunity—where the harsh realities of life meet the quiet, transformative power of timely interventions. Some stories stay with us not because they are extraordinary in scale, but because they are extraordinary in spirit. The journey of a young girl from Uttarakhand, who overcame a life-threatening health crisis and financial struggles to reclaim her future, is one such story.
It matters because it reflects the untapped potential in India’s villages, the dreams too often stalled by circumstance, and the bridges that thoughtful initiatives can build between aspiration and achievement. This is not just her story of resilience—it is a reminder of how courage, access, and opportunity together can change the course of a life.
This is the story of Isha Joshi, a young girl who turned adversity into strength...
In Pithuwala village of Uttarakhand, the morning begins with the temple bell chiming against the backdrop of the vast and awe-inspiring Garhwal Himalayas, with the smell of breakfast drifting from the hamlets preparing for the day. Life in the hills is not for the faint-hearted. Perhaps that is why every family in Uttarakhand has served in the defence forces protecting our borders while its citizens remain safe.
Since childhood, Isha Joshi, like a sponge, had been absorbing the proud legacy of valour and sacrifice that runs through countless families around her. Her desire burned bright as she prepared herself to join the forces, wanting to add to the legacy Uttarakhand proudly holds. Unfortunately, Isha met with an accident two years ago, suffering a brain hemorrhage that paralyzed her face and affected her brain. Her financial support also dwindled as her father, a marginalized farmer, struggled to make ends meet for a family of six at home. This accident cost her a crucial year of education. But Isha remained undeterred, for she knew where there is a will, there is a way.
Isha worked on her health and studied ardently, clearing both her 12th board examinations and the JEEP (Joint Entrance Examination Polytechnics), securing admission in the Government Polytechnic College, Dehradun. Her elder brothers were also pursuing education, and to finance her studies, her father took a loan. With a fresh start, she was determined to make a difference. Her merit brought her to a class with peers who knew far more about computers than she did. She faced jibes from some of her diploma batchmates due to her lack of knowledge, but very few understood that her remote village had offered her no opportunities to learn computers. She realized she had to upskill digitally, but the financial burden continued to loom over her.
One day in her locality, an NIIT Foundation Digital Transformation Van (DTV) arrived. Out of curiosity, Isha stepped in—little did she know what she was about to discover. The DTV introduced her to a world of opportunities. It provided free digital classes, helping her understand the scope of IT sector opportunities. In a very short period, she learned much about computers and even began helping her classmates with their projects.
With tearful eyes and a big smile, Isha recalled, “My accident took away my dream of joining the forces but has now opened a new dream because I can see how I can help my classmates in their projects through my laptop. After all, I am CR (class representative) of my class!”
(This story is part of our ongoing effort to spotlight resilience and showcase the impact of inclusive initiatives across India’s hinterlands.)
