EMELIE VOICES
MARCH 2 0 2 6, I S S U E 0 9
Meet Nikita: Growing Through What Life Asked of Her
Some journeys do not begin with a choice.They begin with responsibility.
Our beneficiary, Nikita Prajapati’s story is one of those. At just 16, while she was in her 11th standard, life took a sudden turn. The loss of her father—who had been unwell for a long time—changed things overnight. In a family of five children, Nikita, the eldest daughter, found herself stepping into a role she had never prepared for. In many ways, her father had already begun shaping a different future for his daughters. Coming from a Marwadi family where girls are often not given equal educational opportunities, he ensured that his daughters studied well and received a good education. That belief stayed with Nikita, even after he was gone.
With limited financial resources and a mother who had neither been exposed to the outside working world nor had the opportunity to pursue her education. The responsibility of holding the family together slowly came to her. Her younger siblings were still studying, and there was no clear guidance on what to do next.So she began figuring things out—on her own.
Her days became a constant movement between roles. School in the morning, work at a nearby clinic as a receptionist in the evening, and studies late into the night. In between, there was home, responsibilities, and the quiet emotional weight of holding everything together.
Everything was new. Travelling alone, understanding workplaces, interacting with people
and managing time. There was no roadmap. Yet, she kept moving. She learnt through experience, step by step, doing things that were necessary to take care of at that moment.
Amidst all this, she completed her 12th standard with strong scores. She held onto her education, even when time and energy were limited, and made sure her siblings’ studies continued without interruption. Around this phase, she connected with The Emelie Foundation, a support that brought some ease and a sense of reassurance into her journey.
With that support, Nikita stepped into a new phase.
She enrolled in a B.Com program while simultaneously working at a CA firm. It was her first exposure to a professional environment. She had never worked on a computer before, yet stepping into that office brought a quiet joy. It reminded her of her father’s dream—to see his daughter working confidently on a computer. And somewhere, that dream was coming alive.
What she studied as theory in college, she began to understand through practice at work. Working alongside studying helped her grow in ways she had not expected.It gave her confidence, exposure, and a deeper understanding of the world she was stepping into.
Taking things on her stride
After working for 2.5 years and completing her graduation, she secured an opportunity at Bajaj and is currently working there. At home, things were also changing. With the ability to earn, and manage multiple responsibilities, Nikita took on the financial responsibility of the household and gently encouraged her mother to work from home using her stitching skills, instead of stepping out for work. It was a small but meaningful change, one that brought dignity and balance into their lives. Together, they reshaped their lives.
Her efforts extended beyond herself. She ensured her siblings continued their education with focus and stability. Today, her brother has completed his BBA, her younger brother is in 11th grade, and her sister has cleared the CA Foundation level and is preparing for the next stage. In many ways, the path she had to navigate alone became clearer for them because of her.
She often reflects on how, during her most difficult time, there was no one to guide her. While that built her confidence and independence, it also shaped her intention that her siblings would not have to go through the same experiences. She shared whatever she learnt with them, from the importance of education to preparing ahead and making informed choices.
What quietly stands out in Nikita is her way of looking at life. She never really felt that something was impossible. If she did not know something, she believed she could learn it. This belief carried her forward, even in moments when things felt overwhelming.
There were also moments that tested her. As she aspired to grow further, she chose to pursue the Cost and Management Accountant (CMA) course (A professional qualification specialising in financial planning, cost management, and strategic decision-making)
In her first attempt, she could not clear all the levels. It felt difficult and discouraging. But after taking some time, she returned to it with renewed clarity and has begun preparing again. She is now working towards appearing for the exam in September 2026.
Looking Ahead
She will be completing her M.Com this year, becoming the first in her family to reach this level of education. Alongside this, she continues to aspire towards pursuing the CMA course—a milestone she deeply wishes to achieve as part of her professional journey. She holds a simple yet heartfelt dream close to her—that one day, she will take her mother to her convocation and make her proud.
She also hopes that her journey can become an example for other girls—that it is possible to continue learning, take on responsibility, and still move towards one’s dreams with steadiness and courage.
There is a quiet desire within her to give back. To support girls who may find themselves in situations like hers, and to be a source of guidance where she once had none.
When she looks back, there are moments when she wonders how she managed everything. And in that reflection, she finds strength again. A reminder that she has already come far, and that she can continue moving forward.
Her story really carries a quiet resilience, depth of learning that came early— shaped through responsibility, experience, and a steady belief that whatever comes, she will find a way through.
We are deeply proud of Nikita— for all that she has held, grown through, and continues to become.
THE EMELIE FOUNDATION CELEBRATES EACH ONE OF YOU!
THANK YOU FOR READING OUR STORY OF THE MONTH!
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