EMELIE VOICES
Meet Neha: Choosing to Learn from every experience of Life
This time in our edition, we share the journey of Neha Shinde — our young, inspiring, and deeply resilient beneficiary.
Some experiences are difficult to put into words. The emotions and realities Neha has carried since childhood are not easy to fully capture, and we are grateful and honoured that she trusted us with parts of her story.
There is something quietly powerful in the way she sees life and its challenges. At 21, she continues to move forward with this understanding, giving her best to whatever comes her way.
We often speak of progress — of education, opportunity, and a more aware society. Yet, inquieter corners, some beliefs around not accepting girl child continue to persist.
Neha’s story begins from one such reality.
When she was born, her biological father chose to walk away upon learning that thechild was a girl. He did not wish to take on that responsibility. Her mother, with a newborn in her arms, returned to her maternal home. It was there, under the care of her grandmother and uncles, that Neha was raised.
In her early years, she did not know what the word “father” meant in her own life. This absence did not have a name. It was only when she started school that the absence began to take shape. Watching classmates with both parents, being asked to fill in her father’s name — these were moments that brought quiet confusion and an urge to know answers. For a long time, she was told his father lives far away because of work. She accepted it, until the questions grew stronger than the answers.
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One thought she holds close is: “What is meant to happen will happen. It will teach you something. Learn from it. Every experience in life is precious, however it may be — so don’t let it go to waste.”
When Neha was in 3rd standard, her mother remarried, hoping to give her the presence of a father. But circumstances did not unfold as expected. The family didn’t support her mother's marriage. Eventually, her mother moved away, and Neha continued growing up with her grandmother and uncles.
Childhood, for her, was shaped by many such shifts — each one asking her to adjust, accept, and continue.
Through all of this, one thing remained constant — her inclination towards studies. She was sincere, consistent, and deeply engaged in learning. Her academic journey opened a new path when she was selected from an SSC background into a Cambridge board school. She was the only girl from her school who was selected on a full scholarship to pursue her secondary education at Avasara Academy, a residential institution in Pune that supports high-potential girls from underserved backgrounds through strong academics, leadership development, and a sense of self in young girls with its nurturing environment.
During this transition, when documentation required a father’s identity, her elder uncle stepped forward and adopted her, ensuring she could continue without interruption.
Her years at Avasara, from 7th to 12th, became a turning point. For the first time, she found a space that felt stable — where she was seen, understood, and encouraged. Her teachers, mentors, and close friends became her support system. It was a space where she could share, reflect, and slowly rebuild her sense of self with confidence.
She often speaks of this phase with deep gratitude — not just for the opportunities, but for the people who stood beside her, especially her dear three friends and mentors.
Just as life began to feel steady and find its own rhythm, she experienced another loss. The passing of her elder uncle, who had been a strong pillar in her life. She describes this as one of the most difficult phases she has faced. It brought back a wave of emotions she had quietly learned to carry over the years.
Yet, even in that phase, she did not lose direction.
After completing her 12th grade, she had the opportunity to explore colleges through her school’s career fairs, where she was selected once again on a full scholarship.
Around the same time, she came in touch with The Emelie Foundation, whose support further enabled her to take steps forward with greater ease as she moved into her higher education journey.
Neha shares that The Emelie Foundation, for her, represents a safe and empowering space where young women are encouraged to believe in themselves. It provides the support, motivation, and push needed to step out of comfort zones and pursue dreams with confidence. Being part of such an environment inspires growth, resilience, and ambition.
She stepped into a completely new chapter — moving from Pune to Haryana to pursue her higher education at BML Munjal University on a full scholarship. Moving to a new state and beginning college marked another new chapter. During this time, while she stepped into a more independent life, the basic needs and essential expenses of her education continued to be supported by her mother in her own way, ensuring that Neha could keep moving forward.
Today, Neha is pursuing her B.Com (ACCA - Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). She is actively involved in campus activities — taking up leadership roles such as Campus Ambassador, Marketing Lead for college clubs, and organising multiple college events. Alongside her academics, she is developing skills essential for the real world and making the most of the opportunities around her, continuing to grow both personally and professionally.
LOOKING AHEAD
Her aspirations are clear. Building a strong foundation in the field of accounts and finance. Pursue further specialisation, such as the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) US certification, and become financially independent. More than that, she wants to support her family and honour the efforts that made her journey possible.
In life, she aspires to build a life rooted in independence. For her, independence goes beyond earning. It means having the confidence to make her own decisions, take responsibility for them, and live with a sense of accountability
She aims to grow into someone who is not only self-reliant but also capable of contributing meaningfully to her family and society
There is a quiet strength in how Neha looks at her life.
She does not dwell on what was missing. Instead, she reflects on what each experience has taught her. She has learned to accept, adapt, and move forward with clarity. There is resilience, but also softness in her heart. There is ambition, but also deep gratitude for all life experiences.
Her story is not just about overcoming circumstances. It is about making meaning from them.
Her journey is held together by the constant presence of her grandmother, her mother, friends, maternal family, and all the people who stood by her through each phase.
We are grateful to witness a part of her journey.
We wish her strength and the very best for the journey that is yet to unfold!
THE EMELIE FOUNDATION CELEBRATES EACH ONE OF YOU!
​THANK YOU FOR READING OUR STORY OF THE MONTH!
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