RAJAL RANA

Rajal Rana is a social work professional working for CRY for the AE & ECM Project in Gujarat, India. Her interest in the Development sector began during a difficult period for her family as her father was suffering from Chronic Kidney Failure; she saw a social worker to help her deal with stress. She is aspiring to start a social impact organisation to support women’s empowerment and skill development.

“Without any expectations, help and do whatever you can do to support people in need.”

Q: Tell us a few things about your country, and also your life's story!

India is a country of culture. Ours is a developing country. I am from one of the vibrant states of India, Gujarat. Gujarat is famous for its Garba, the Gujarati folk dance. I am from a lower middle-class family where we managed education along with the long-term chronic illness of my father. I am an elder child in the family, and also the first in my family to complete a master’s degree.

Q: What was your experience of the global pandemic crisis? Did it change your life and/or your views about the world? If so, how?

The pandemic has changed the life of all citizens. It has personally affected me as I have also gone through the toughest times of my life in this pandemic. I feel the world will overcome it together with the help of science and technology. The pandemic has taught all of us to be kind and help everyone around us the way we can; UBUNTU in true sense.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently?

In Indian society, with increasing cases of COVID-19 each day, the elections, the lack of decision-making at policy level due to political issues… all of these things are affecting the countrymen. Education of our children is at stake. Jobs are at stake. Hospitals are in constant need of staff and resources. With all these, we cannot ignore the fact that violence on women, dowry, child marriage, and the patriarchy still exist.

Q: Can you share with us some of the hurdles that you have had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them? 

The first hurdle was pursuing higher education as my father had a chronic kidney failure. Being the elder child and also female meant that everyone around me was pressurising me to get married and settle down. I fought for myself, I worked part-time to earn money for my education and I completed my Master’s. I am now a responsible person of family, and society is also learning not to send daughters off to be married, but instead to let them achieve what they want to achieve.

Q: If you were to ask one thing from our current leaders, what would it be?

I would like to ask about the ways in which we can increase employment opportunities for youth, and also about self-employment courses based on current job market.

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

The role of mentor is very important for me because I am a learner, I want constant motivation and to be given the right direction for me to move ahead. The mentoring is helping me, not only professionally but also in personal endeavours. I have been able to think logically when in the toughest situations, where before I was not able to make any firm decision.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share? 

I have always put others as my first priority. When it comes to helping others, I try and give my highest efforts, and it has always paid off. Without any expectations, help and do whatever you can do to support people in need and life will definitely give it back to you in some way or another.

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives!

Cohesion Foundation Trust is doing great work in Gujarat and many other states of India to improve lives of people.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are being made towards gender equality?

Dowry; violence against women; female foeticide; patriarchy; child marriage; underage pregnancy; maternal mortality rate; fewer livelihood opportunities; malnutrition; and reduced access to higher education are just some of the key challenges.

The Government is trying to promote higher education and a quota for women at Panchayti Raj Institutions, to make it women-inclusive.

Many NGOs are working to help women with skills development for livelihood generation, access to higher education, strict laws for violence against women and dowry cases, better healthcare for antenatal health and institutional delivery.

Q: Share with us a phrase, a poem or a story that you love or you find interesting!

Nothing can dim the light that shines from within - Maya Angelou

Q: Can you share with us a project that you would like to make happen for your country or a cause that you are passionate about? 

Adolescent empowerment in India.