Latest news with #ProjectLehar
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
She came,she saw, she conquered
UTTAR PRADESH : Rachna Kumari was an eager student of class 10, when her school life was cut short due to poverty and societal pressure. Her family could not afford to send her to a private institution nearby and government institutions were far from her place. Thus at the tender age of 17, her family tried to force her into marriage. Six years later, the 23 year old has gone on to become a prominent figure in the sole major market of the block. Belonging to Chhitan Purva village in Risia block, Bahraich district, Rachna is now an entrepreneur as well as a third-year Bachelor of Arts student. Her shop selling wheat stalk handmade paintings is a major attraction here. The small shop stands alone among the plethora of shops in the main market of Risia block, not only because of the uncommon merchandise but also by her grit, guts, and remarkable determination. Rachna's journey took a pivotal turn when she came in contact with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) which offers vocational training and life skills courses to marginalised young women through Project Lehar. This initiative helped her resume her education and persuade her family into abandoning marriage plans. At present, Rachna engages in wheat stalk painting—a traditional Bahraich art form involving intricate designs crafted from finely cut wheat stalks on cloth. Her shop also functions as a training centre, providing second chances to other girls from similar backgrounds. She conducts training sessions six days a week charging Rs 500 per girl for a one-month basic course and currently has 20 students aged between 12 and 17 under her tutelage. Each morning, Rachna completes household chores before cycling five kilometres from her home to operate her shop independently. This dedication has brought her attention.
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Women to become jockeys for charity horse race at Goodwood
A group of women are training to become jockeys for the day in order to race at the Glorious Goodwood 31 July, 12 women will race at Goodwood Racecourse in Chichester, West Sussex, in the Markel Magnolia Cup, which is raising money for The King's Trust International's Project women, who are novice riders, include an author, police officer, lawyer and fashion those training for the race, Kate Hutchins, a social media influencer from Brighton, said: "My work day-to-day can be glamorous, so to do something that's the complete other end of the spectrum is so cool." Currently, 15 riders are in the running to race at Qatar Goodwood Festival, with the final 12 to be confirmed after British Racing School standard riding and fitness assessments in Crespi, Goodwood Racecourse director, said: "Every year the inspirational women who take part in the Markel Magnolia Cup become part of our incredible story, and it's something we're immensely proud of."Project Lehar offers vocational training, entrepreneurship and life skills courses for girls and young women from low-income backgrounds in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Markel Magnolia Cup has raised more than £2.7m for charitable causes since its inception in Hutchins added: "This journey has really changed my life already. I have suffered with anxiety, and my whole adult life I have been trying to get to the bottom of it."Since I've been training to be a part of the Markel Magnolia Cup and riding almost every day, that's just disappeared. It's life-changing."Among the other competitors is Lois Logan, an up-and-coming show jumper and daughter of TV host Gabby Logan and former rugby player Kenny Logan.
