Sushma
“Papa, I Want To Become A Doctor”
Sushma Kumari, a 16-year-old student of Class 11 at S.K.S. Public School (a low-resource budget school) in Kaliaganj, in Bihar, was on the brink of being married off. Her parents believed it was time. After all, she was a girl, and “ladkiyon ki shaadi to jaldi hi ho jaani chahiye” (girls should be married off early).
​
But Sushma had other dreams. She wanted to complete her education and become a doctor.
​
During a school session conducted by DC’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Program, Love Matters India team on the topic of Child Marriage, Sushma watched a short film. It moved her deeply. After the session, she walked up to the facilitator and opened up about her fears. Her marriage was being planned at home, and she felt helpless.
​
Our facilitator, along with a supportive school teacher, decided to intervene. They met with Sushma’s parents, explained the risks of early marriage, and discussed how it could impact Sushma’s health, education, and future. But the parents resisted. Her mother was firm, saying, “Zyada padkar kya karegi? Jaldi shaadi ho jaaye to achha hai” (What will she do by studying more? It's better if she gets married early).
.jpg)
Sushma didn’t give up. She spoke to her father directly, saying, “Pitaji, main abhi padhna chahti hoon. Main doctor banna chahti hoon” (Papa, I want to study right now. I want to become a doctor). Her voice was steady, her determination clear.
​
Her father listened quietly. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then came the words that changed everything: “Abhi nahi karenge shaadi. Jab 18 ki ho jaayegi tab sochenge” (We won’t get her married now. We’ll think about it when she turns 18).
​
Her mother eventually agreed too.
​
Thanks to the joint effort of our team member and teacher, Sushma's child marriage was prevented. Today, she’s back in school, chasing her dream, not someone else’s deadline.
​
This is what happens when girls are empowered with knowledge, they find their voice, and that voice can change minds. And now, every time she picks up a textbook, she’s also picking up the thread of a dream she refused to let go.
