We’re sure you’d know that every 8th of March is celebrated as International Women’s Day to celebrate women all over the world. And this year, the theme for the day is #EachforEqual, to strive for a gender-equal world, take action for equality and raise awareness against bias. So, this International Women’s Day, we are bringing you stories of such courageous women who rose against all odds and contributed in some way to making this world gender-neutral. And we recently got a chance to meet one such courageous lady- Nisha Yadav.
She’s currently a law student and a Lakme model. You might remember her from Smriti Irani’s post, praising her for her bravery. Yes, bravery. Because Nisha fought against all odds and escaped child marriage to pursue her dreams. Scroll down to know about her awe-inspiring tale.
Early Days in Rajasthan
Hailing from a small village near Alwar in Rajasthan, Nisha belongs to a conservative family. Talking to us about her growing up years, Nisha said, “We are five sisters and one brother in the family, and we grew up in a very small village near Kotputli, Alwar. My father is a simple farmer. Despite objections from the elders in the village, my parents sent us girls to school.”
Escaping Child Marriage
Being from a small village, Nisha faced tough times when she was supposed to get married as a child. But she finally convinced her father to call off her wedding and let her follow her dreams. Recalling her childhood, she said, “Back in school, my elder sister and I were forcefully engaged. The pressure and the constant insult by the villagers made my father took this step. A few months before my marriage, I was hospitalized since I was in a state of anxiety. Fortunately, things took a U-turn after my sister’s fiancé misbehaved with us. My father cancelled our weddings and decided to bring us back home. And today, one of my sisters is an IAS, and another one is a sub-inspector”.
From a Small Town Girl to a Ramp Model!
Image Source: Instagram/nisha.yadav.official 
Image Source: Instagram/nisha.yadav.official
Things changed for better once Nisha entered college for her higher studies. Nisha told us, “After my schooling, I pursued my Bachelors in Engineering where I saw a lot of fashion events happening. One day one of the seniors complimented me about my height and body. So I took part in one of the competitions at my college and I won.”
Fighting at The Court Too
Besides exploring her dream as a model, Nisha is studying Law and is currently working at High Court also. Recalling how she started pursuing Law, she said, “After my Bachelor’s I went to do my Masters in economics at Central University. In 2016 I started studying prepared for the civil services exam. But I started missing the modelling life. I desperately wanted to escape the exam, and I went to do a pageant instead which I didn’t win. After telling everything to my sister, she suggested that I Law. Currently, I am a law student pursuing my third year and also working with the High Court while continuing with my modelling”.
Grabbing Headlines All Over
Do you remember the post shared by Smriti Irani for Nisha Yadav? Yes, the one during the 2019 Lakme Fashion Week. It all started from there. Recollecting it, Nisha said, “My first break was the MTV show- India’s Next Top Model where I was the first runner up in the show. But I struggled for six months after the show. Thankfully, Lakme’s team approached me for one of the shows. All the designers loved my walk and body structure. I participated as an extra model at Lakme Fashion week. That’s where I met Smriti Irani, and she gave a fabulous introduction about me and posted my story on her Instagram. That’s when my life changed forever!
All Dreams Are Achievable
Ending on a positive note, Nisha said, “You should never underestimate yourself, and you should be proud of yourself in every step of the way. All you need is to be humble to survive in this glamourous world.”
Nisha’s story proves that with focus and willpower, you can achieve your dreams. Hers is a sheer example that nothing can stop you from turning your dreams into reality. Kudos to her!
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/nisha.yadav.official)
