The Girl Who Chose Her Own Path: Balashanmugapriya

In the small coastal town of Cuddalore, a seventh-grade girl witnessed a moment that would quietly change her life and the lives of many others as well. Her father, a lawyer, was seated with a married couple whose world was falling apart. She witnessed silently as her father spoke to them. After some time, she noticed hope returning to the tired eyes of the couple and light coming back to faces darkened by worry.That moment planted a seed in Balashanmugapriya’s dream, that she wanted to become a lawyer.

Choosing Commerce When the World Chose Science
       Years later, in 2016, when it was time for her to choose her stream for the 11th standard, her good performance in the 10th board exams worked against her this time. She wanted to study commerce, but the world around her decided science was the only acceptable and respectable choice. Like many Indian families, her family also believed that commerce was meant for “average” students, while science was reserved for the “bright” ones. But Balashanmugapriya was very clear that commerce and economics would form a strong foundation for her legal journey. Even as her parents worried, she stood firm. It was her act of courage.

Lost at the Crossroads!

       Despite scoring well in her 12th board examinations, she felt completely lost in 2018, during the college application phase. No one around her knew the process. She didn’t know which colleges were good or how to apply. She felt alone, confused, and directionless without a map to her dreams, she started walking towards her dream. Eventually, she found a law college in Salem. That decision marked the beginning of her legal journey. The friends she made there slowly became her roadmap.

A Dream That Refused to Stay Small
After graduation, she could have stepped into legal practice. Her father’s office was ready, with the doors open before her. But she wanted more. She didn’t just want to enter courtrooms, she wanted to enter classrooms. Taking another bold step, she entered the Central University of Pondicherry through CUET (PG) to pursue her master’s degree in law.

The Day Confidence Crumbled
Her first day at the university was one of the hardest days of her life. Teachers and students spoke fluent English. They came from across India and even from other countries. Their accents felt the fear in her. Their confidence felt overwhelming. Though she had studied in an English-medium school, she suddenly felt small. Out of fear, she skipped classes, trying to hide her insecurity. She felt like she didn’t belong in a “premium” institution.

Learning to Speak, Learning to Believe

Slowly, something began to change! She started attending classes, one at a time. She began speaking to people, stumbling over words at first, then gradually gaining confidence. She enrolled in extra classes, attended workshops, and immersed herself in learning. The university became more than an institution, it became her second home. The language that once silenced her slowly became her strength.

From Student to Teacher

Today, Balashanmugapriya stands before her own classroom as an Assistant Professor. The girl who once hid from English speaking peers now teaches in English every day and She has also begun her journey as a research scholar at the Central University of Tamil Nadu.

A Journey That Came Full Circle

Sometimes, she thinks of that seventh grade girl watching her father give hope to some strangers. Today, she does the same not in a lawyer’s office, but in a classroom. Every day, she builds hope in the students who feel lost, just as she once dreamt. It’s okay to stumble, fall and learn. Because the most beautiful journeys are the ones where we find the courage to walk alone.

Balashanmugapriya proved, Dreams are worth fighting for, no matter how many times the world says no!

Contact Balashanmugapriya - balashanmugapriyatt@gmail.com