A dream born from loss: Mousam Kumari’s early life
Mousam Kumari’s story begins not with privilege, but with pain. She lost her father when she was just six months old.
- By the age of three, her mother remarried, leaving Mousam in the care of her Daadi (grandmother) and Chacha (uncle).
- These two became her emotional anchors, offering her not just shelter, but the love and structure that shaped her ambition.
“In Class 10,” she recalled, “IIT jaungi aur Daadi ko duniya dikhaungi.”
- That promise, whispered in a small village corner, lit a fire in her that no tragedy could extinguish.
Grief, grit, and a promise that pushed her forward
Fate tested her yet again—this time with heartbreak. One day after school, Mousam’s world collapsed.
- Her uncle’s friend arrived with devastating news: Daadi had passed away.
- “I broke down completely,” Mousam admitted. “But then I remembered her dream. And suddenly, I couldn’t see anything else—I just had to make her proud.”
- With that renewed purpose, she topped her 10th-grade board exams, turning sorrow into strength.
Battling chaos during COVID and chasing IIT
Just as she began preparing for IIT, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, pushing her into even more unstable conditions.
- She was sent to live with different relatives, each home more temporary than the last.
- “Kabhi is chachi ke yaha, kabhi us aunty ke waha,” she said, describing how power cuts and constant shifting made studying feel impossible.
- Yet, despite the turmoil, Mousam clung tightly to Daadi’s dream and cracked the prestigious IIT-JEE, securing admission to IIT Guwahati.
Financial roadblocks and a life-changing opportunity
Though she had cleared the entrance, a major obstacle remained—how to pay for it all?
- It was then she stumbled across a WhatsApp forward about the Kotak Kanya Scholarship.
- With nothing to lose, she applied—and days later, a miracle call came.
- The scholarship didn’t just cover tuition and living expenses—it also offered skill-building sessions on communication, résumé writing, and interview prep.
“For the first time,” she said, “I had a place I could call home. I became independent.”
- That sense of belonging became the foundation she needed to thrive.
The sweet reward of resilience
In her final year, Mousam was placed in a global private bank with a high-paying job, a result of years of endurance and effort.
- “I’ve worked so hard… the fruit has to be sweet, right?” she said, with a quiet confidence.
Her story has inspired countless others.
- Former classmates called her an unstoppable talent, remembering how her determination shone even in school days.
- Strangers and peers alike flooded social media with admiration and support, moved by her resilience.
The silent strength of Mousam Kumari
Mousam’s journey is a reminder that resilience doesn’t always roar.
- Sometimes, it is a soft but steady whisper, that refuses to fade.
- From no family, no home, and no money to IIT and a global job—her story echoes with the power of silent perseverance.
Her journey is not just about one girl beating the odds. It’s about how hope, love, and grit can build a future from fragments.
