From a quiet Class 6 student to a young sportsperson who confidently interacts with participants from across districts, Purnima Mahato’s journey shows how learning can help children find their voice and recognise their own strengths.
At UHS Lanka in Chandankiyari block of Bokaro district, Jharkhand, Purnima Mahato, a Class 6 student, rarely spoke to her classmates or responded to questions from her Volunteer Teacher during eVidyaloka’s Digital Classroom Program. Even after class, she preferred to spend time on her own rather than join conversations with friends.
Over time, however, small changes began to emerge. Purnima started responding to questions, sharing her thoughts and engaging more with the people around her. Her experience shows how encouragement and opportunities to participate can help a child grow in confidence.
Purnima comes from a farming family with limited financial resources. As she continued her education, she initially found it difficult to communicate openly during her digital classes. Even when her Volunteer Teacher invited her to participate, she usually remained silent.
Her Volunteer Teachers continued to encourage her with patience and care. They asked questions, explained concepts thoughtfully and used real-life situations to encourage students to share their ideas and perspectives.
Gradually, Purnima began responding to their questions. As she attended more sessions, she developed a greater interest in the classes and became more comfortable expressing her thoughts.
The digital classroom offered her more than an opportunity to learn academic concepts. It gave her a space to participate at her own pace and discover that her voice mattered.
Soon, the changes became visible beyond the classroom. Purnima began communicating more with her classmates and interacting more freely with her friends. With each interaction, she grew more comfortable connecting with those around her.
Purnima had already demonstrated her talent in sports, earning selection to represent her school team at a state-level competition. Alongside this achievement, she was also making progress in another area: her confidence in interacting with others.
At the state-level event, Purnima confidently interacted with teammates and participants from other districts. She willingly shook hands with them, initiated conversations and showed genuine curiosity about their experiences.
This marked a meaningful change for a student who had once hesitated to speak even in her familiar classroom.
Purnima was not simply talking more. She was beginning to initiate interactions, connect with new people and express herself in unfamiliar settings.
Her journey reminds us that confidence rarely develops overnight. Children build it through opportunities to participate, encouragement from others and the freedom to find their own way of expressing themselves.
At eVidyaloka, we believe education should do more than help children understand subjects and complete lessons. A supportive learning environment can also encourage them to ask questions, share ideas, explore their curiosity and recognise their abilities.
Through the Digital Classroom Program, Volunteer Teachers connect with students and encourage active participation in learning. For Purnima, their patient explanations, thoughtful questions and use of real-life situations helped her become more comfortable speaking up.
Her experience highlights how learning can influence the way children engage with the world around them.
Purnima had already demonstrated her sporting abilities. Over time, she also began to show greater confidence in communicating with others, building connections and participating beyond her familiar surroundings.
Her story reminds us that every child has strengths waiting to emerge. With the right encouragement and opportunities, children can discover new ways to express those strengths.
Purnima’s journey from a quiet classroom participant to a more confident communicator is a meaningful milestone for her school and the eVidyaloka community.
It also reminds us that educational progress does not always show up in academic results alone. Sometimes, we see it when a child begins answering questions, reaches out to a classmate or confidently starts a conversation with someone new.
These moments matter. They help children participate more actively in their learning and connect more freely with the communities around them.
At UHS Lanka, Purnima continues her journey as a student and sportsperson, building on the confidence she has developed along the way.
When children have the space to learn, participate and express themselves, they gain more than knowledge. They also discover new possibilities within themselves.
Purnima’s journey is a reminder of why every child deserves a supportive and engaging learning environment, one that helps them learn, grow and find their voice.
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