From Kolkata’s Narrow Lanes to Ashoka’s Wide Horizons: Sana and Sufia’s Journey of Change

This summer, two bright young learners from Topsia, Sana and Sufia, stepped beyond their familiar surroundings into the inspiring academic environment of Ashoka University. As participants of the prestigious Young Scholars Program (YSP), they joined students from across India in a week filled with exploration, learning, and personal growth.

This was their first experience away from home for an academic purpose. They took their first flight, navigated new cities, and immersed themselves in a world of ideas, collaboration, and curiosity. At Ashoka, they explored liberal arts subjects, engaged in critical thinking, and discovered the power of their own voices.

During the programme, they built friendships with peers from diverse backgrounds and experienced campus life in an inclusive and supportive setting. They returned to Ek Tara not just with stories, but with a new sense of confidence, clarity, and belief in what is possible for their future.