Shackled to the societal chains, an eight-year-old girl was robbed of the innocence of her childhood. A girl, who was just gaining perspective of the world was made to wear the marriage band at a very tender age. But little did she know, that fate had other plans for her. Hailing from the nooks of Kariri, a village in Rajasthan, Rupa Yadav became a child bride. But today, she stands with her held high as a doctor. Defying all odds, Yadav pursued her dream but it was not a road without obstacles.

Inspiring Journey of Dr. Rupa Yadav ~ 

Gauna is a Rajasthani tradition that marks the transition of a bride to her husband’s home. What might seemingly appear to be a start of new beginnings but an end to dreams, was different. Yadav achieved the feat due to the support of her family, her brother-in-law who was headstrong to complete her education. While she got all the support, monetary tensions often loomed over her head. There was also societal scrutiny and contemptuous glares, not just financial. On her journey to achieve her dreams, Rupa also embraced motherhood. She navigated through the complexities of pregnancy, growing up, and studying all together, yet nothing could deter her from her path. An ace student, Yadav cracked the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in 2017 which was her second attempt. In class 10 and 12 she scored an impressive 84 percent. Further, she got herself enrolled in B.sc and simultaneously took the competitive exam AIPMT securing AIR 23000. 

Yadav believes that she was fortunate enough to meet people who turned her hardships into beautiful moments. In college, she became friends with three girls who supported her throughout the five years of medical college. Even when her identity as a child bride was revealed and the college started raising questions about her past, her friends supported her and encouraged her to be proud as she managed to get through all challenges.


Yadav With Her College Friends ( Google Images) 

In one of her older interviews, Yadav mentioned, “Though I did not qualify for a good government medical college, the AIPMT marks encouraged my husband and brother-in-law to send me to Kota to prepare for the MBBS entrance test.” Rupa, then a student of class III, and her elder sister Rukma, were wedded to Shankarlal, who was then 12, and his elder brother Babulal, respectively. Her husband and brother-in-law, both farmers, also supported her all along, even driving an auto to meet the education expenses, disregarding villagers’ disparaging remarks. It is for families like Rupa’s that people get propelled even more to drive their passions and attain great feats. No road to success is devoid of obstacles, it is just a matter of perspective and unwavering perseverance.

Balancing motherhood and career ~

Now, Rupa had to decide between two choices – motherhood or career. However, she decided to quit neither. Rupa’s daughter was just 25 days old when she had to appear for her pre-final examination. But her sister and her mother-in-law looked after her daughter, and Rupa was able to successfully secure good marks again.  “I had my final exam for surgery on the same day as my daughter’s first birthday. I finished a 3-hour paper in half the time, took a bus home, and celebrated my daughter’s birthday,” she says. Rupa’s result was announced on April 28 earlier this year, and she is now a certified doctor. For now, Rupa says she is preparing for her post-graduation and aspires to open a hospital in her village. Her in-laws wish that her dreams come true, even if they have to sell their lands!

“I believe we can do whatever we want. So, don’t stop dreaming and never forget to fight for those dreams; make them come true,” adds Rupa as advice to every woman who finds their journey arduous.