On a visit back home during her summer holidays, she was shocked to learn that her parents were arranging someone for her to marry to a 25- year-old distance relative. Soon after, he started Visiting Bindi’s home regularly and tried to coerce her into a physical relationship. she was horrified and narrated this ordeal to her mother, but it had little effect. It was in school level that Bindi had first learnt about the harmful practice of child marriage in a session by the Life Skills

Education Programme. She was taught about the legal age of marriage, the ill effects of teenage pregnancies and the rights she was entitled to as a young girl. She tried very hard to convince her parents about her string desire to study further, and pursue a career and make a name for herself. But they were unbending and gave her no assurances, due to communities’ pressures and the economical hardships they were facing. Bindi remained undeterred. She was resolute in challenging the age-old scourge and     

     following through on her decision. When obstacles arise, change your direction, not your decision She shared her decisions with her closed friend who was a peer educator in the programme. Together, they approached the ANM near to her school, who after hearing them, counseled the young girl, and alerted the school matrons and headmaster. Supporter of Bindi were proud of her unshakable grit to challenge this societal tradition detrimental to the empowerment and freedom of girls. Today, Bindi is pursuing her higher secondary education and strives to be change agent by creating awareness in her own community on child marriage and related laws (Under prohibition of child marriage act)

Bindi is an inspiration for other girl’s students. She wanted to become an independent and successful girl who could take care of her parents. Her journey towards achieving dream has just started, said the proud village community President Mr. Bhagirathi Gouda.