Julia Minz, all of 19, looks like any other confident college girl in a patiala-kurti, bespectacled but with a touch of kohl in her eyes, and a wide, engaging grin.
But, Julia, a second-year geography honours student at St Xavier's College, Ranchi, stands head and shoulders above most youngsters her age, something which Governor Droupadi Murmu, Caring Jharkhand, an initiative of The Telegraph to promote individual social responsibility (ISR) and NGO Nimitt, recognised on Wednesday.
Julia, who stood ninth in state intermediate exams in 2014, received a cheque of Rs 18,000 from Nimitt, handed over by governor Murmu at The Telegraph 's Caring Jharkhand event with the theme "Enriching Jharkhand, responsibly", held at the Delhi Public School auditorium.
Her story makes her ninth rank extraordinary.
Born in Karaounji, a village in Bero block of Ranchi district, Julia lost her father when she was only two. Her mother Christina worked herself to the bone as a farmhand and labourer in the village to bring her up.
When she grew up a little, sometimes Julia accompanied her mother to help her in her work.
But, at the same time, she knew she had to study seriously, never mind the poverty.
In Class X, she scored over 70 per cent.
In intermediate, when this examinee from SS High School in Bero stood ninth, she herself couldn't believe it, she said.
"I was pleasantly surprised, I think. The results changed my life and gave me the wings to fly," Julia said.
Prodded, she said suddenly she was in the limelight after the results.
Union tribal welfare minister Jual Oram had offered her Rs 10,000 in appreciation if her performance. The then state HRD minister Geetashree Oraon had also encouraged her.
Julia enrolled in St Xavier's College, Ranchi, one of the front-ranking institutions of higher learning in the state. Here, too, it seems her fairy godmother was at work.
"I could have never afforded hostel fees to study at St Xavier's, but my monthly expenses are being borne by FITJEE, a tutorial institute. I have never studied there but they give grants to deserving students who need it," she said.
"This is an ideal example of ISR," governor Murmu said after handing over the cheque of Rs 18,000 to Julia on Wednesday.
Nimitt secretary Nikita Sinha said the money was a gesture of their appreciation for Julia's perseverance.
"This sum has been collected through donations from eight individuals so that she can use Rs 1,500 every month," Sinha added. "We are very proud of the girl for her tenacity."
So much praise can turn a girl's head. But, at the same time, Julia knows how to stay grounded. "I have a long way to go. I must be consistent in my academic performance," she said.
Asked about her preferred career, Julia said she had set her heart on becoming an administrator.
"After my graduation, I plan to clear UPSC or at least JPSC and join civil service. I have seen ground realities which I know will stand me in good stead if I become an administrator. And, I want to give mum a good life," Julia said.
Go girl!
If you have practised individual social responsibility, or know someone who has, share the story at ttkhand@abpmail.com
