Auto Driver’s Daughter Wins Scholarship To Study Abroad

Pune's Rutuja Bhoite, a simple girl with exceptional qualities, has won full-time scholarship to study abroad. The 17-year-old's father drives an auto in Kondhwa, Pune.

A fighter!

Rutuja has managed to overcome her financial and health obstacles to be able to study at the prestigious United World College (UWC) in Thailand. She used to suffer from leukoderma that affected her self-confidence. On being asked about it, she said,” I was always worried about being accepted.”

The transformation

Rutuja is a student of Pune Municipal Corporation’s Sant Gadge Maharaj English Medium School and Avasara Academy in Pune. She was selected for 'Maya’, a Broadway musical presentation. According to her, it changed her life and turned her into an extrovert. She said, ”I learnt the values of courage, compassion and wisdom. I learnt to open up, mingle with new people.” Being a performer, she has managed to make the public aware of several social issues through her performances. 

Family background

Apart from her father, Rutuja's mother also used to work to sustain the family. However, her health issues forced her to shut down the beauty parlour she used to run from home. At present, her parents sell vegetables to for some additional income. Her parents, Nanda and Arun, who earn Rs 10,000 a month approximately, had never dreamt that they would be able to provide higher education for their daughter. After she bagged the scholarship, her father said, “She should study as much as she wants. There’s always time for marriage!”

Rutuja will soon be leaving for Thailand to continue her higher studies. According to the teenager, her dedication to study has helped her achieve the feat. She is the first in her family to go abroad for her studies.

Also Read: Four Village Girls Fight All Odds For Education; Adopted By NGOs

-Dolly Bhardwaj is an intern with SheThePeople.Tv