Sarhali village near Phagwara witnessed a heartwarming moment as 61-year-old Narinder Kaur, with a shy smile and a book in her hand, received congratulations from neighbors after achieving an impressive 77% marks in the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) Class X open school examination.
Forced to abandon her studies in 1981 and later married in 1988, Narinder’s passion for learning never faded. “Mainu famous krta meri padhai ne (my education has made me famous),” she said proudly, standing in her room lined with books and notebooks.
Her journey was far from easy. After decades away from academics, she struggled even to hold a pen. But with daily practice and self-study across subjects like English, Punjabi, Science, and Social Studies, she overcame hesitation with determination. Fellow students admired her dedication, often seeking her help with difficult concepts.
Narinder credits her sons, who encouraged her to pursue studies despite earlier refusals from family. “Mainu padhayi naal bahut pyaar hai (I’m fond of studies),” she said, recalling years of suppressed dreams.
Now, she sees this achievement as only the beginning. “Eh te shuruat hai (this is the beginning). I will do graduation as well,” she declared confidently.
Beyond academics, Narinder also nurtures a love for singing traditional Punjabi songs like Madhaniya, which reflect women’s struggles. With her success, she hopes to inspire others, especially girls, to pursue education freely