He was told higher education wasn’t for him—Now he is assisting marginalized youth reach top colleges
From workers colony to LSE, Pravin Nikam now mentors students from marginalised low-income communities through Roshini, a non profit initiative, helping them secure scholarships and higher education.
Snapshot
In the 1990s, Pravin Nikam grew up in a workers’ colony in Pimpri-Chinchwad, watching his father struggle for wages and his mother sell homemade meals to make ends meet. Like many around him, he believed engineering was the only path to success—until a study trip to Assam changed everything.
There, he met Roshini, a young girl forced to drop out of school after her first period due to deep-rooted menstrual taboos. The encounter shook him. If education—a basic right—could be denied so easily, what about those facing financial, social, or legal barriers?
Pravin left engineering to study political science, formed a street play group to raise awareness on gender and education, and later founded ROSHINI, a non-profit initiative, named after the girl who inspired his mission. His work expanded to mentoring students from low-income and marginalised communities, securing scholarships, and helping marginalized students navigate legal hurdles. Today, Roshini, led by young people, has guided numerous individuals into higher education, proving that opportunity should never be dictated by birth or circumstance.
For the detailed account of Pravin’s journey, please check out the Deep Dive Full Story section.
Impact at a Glance
1,500+ students completed the ROSHINI career transition support program, gaining essential career transition skills.
200+ students secured government scholarships, covering tuition, accommodation, and coaching fees.
2 community centres were established in Maharashtra and 4 after-school support centers.
More than students secured fully funded scholarships to top universities like LSE, Oxford, and Ashoka.
Legal documentation support provided to first-generation learners, trans students, and PWDs to access education benefits.
Mentorship network connects marginalized students with professionals worldwide for career guidance.
Recognized by the Commonwealth Secretariat, with Pravin Nikam serving as Asia Regional Youth Representative.
Incubated by IIM Bangalore, strengthening Roshini NGO’s mission for inclusive education.
Dive Deeper: Full Story (5 mins read)
Growing up in Asu, a small village in Satara, Pravin belonged to a farmers family which had to migrate for earn livelihood to Pimpri-Chinchwad in search of better opportunities. Years later, that same boy, Pravin Nikam, would study at London School of Economics (LSE) and dedicate his life to ensuring that marginalized students never miss out on education due to financial, legal, or social barriers. In a conversation with ImpactStories.in, Pravin shares how his journey—from selling newspapers to mentoring students from low-income and marginalised communities—shaped the vision behind ROSHINI and its mission to transform lives.
From an Engineer’s dream to an Activist’s mission
"Like most kids in my colony, I believed I had only two career choices—engineering or medicine" Pravin shares. Growing up in a community of migrant workers from Solapur and Satara, where his father worked in a factory and his mother sold homemade meals, financial stability was the ultimate goal. Higher education meant escaping poverty, securing a job, and supporting the family.
Following the expected path, Pravin enrolled in engineering. But in his first year, his father’s factory faced a financial crisis, and salaries were delayed for months. Knowing he couldn’t burden his parents with tuition fees, he started selling newspapers, but the earnings were barely enough. Around the same time, a study trip to Assam introduced him to Roshini, a young girl forced to drop out of school after her first period due to deep-rooted taboos.
"That moment shattered my idea of education" Pravin recalls. "For me, education was about career security. But for many, especially marginalized students, it’s not even an option because of societal barriers."
He made a bold decision then—he would leave engineering to pursue political science and dedicate himself to social change.
Building a movement: From street plays to Roshini NGO
At SP College, Pune, Pravin formed a street play group named Roshini—after the girl who had inspired him. The group used theater to raise awareness about gender inequality, education access, and youth empowerment. What started as a small collective soon became a powerful student movement.
"We all came from rural and semi-rural backgrounds. We didn't speak polished Marathi or English. We didn't fit into elite college spaces. So, we created our own space" he explains. The street plays caught attention, bringing together students from tier-2 and tier-3 cities who lacked access to academic and career opportunities.
Realizing that awareness alone wasn’t enough, Pravin and his peers began mentoring students who faced financial and social hurdles in accessing higher education. They helped students prepare for college applications, entrance exams, and career decisions—offering guidance that many of them never had.
Pravin’s activism led him to Nehru Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), where he worked as a National Youth Volunteer, conducting workshops on education awareness, gender issues, and youth development across rural India. His exposure to underserved communities further cemented his belief—education wasn’t just about degrees, it was about breaking cycles of marginalization.
Beyond education: Tackling legal and financial barriers
In 2016, Pravin expanded Roshini NGO’s focus beyond mentorship. He realized that even talented students from marginalized backgrounds were unable to access education due to missing legal documents.
"Many students didn’t have caste certificates, income proof, or disability IDs. Without these, they couldn’t apply for scholarships or access government education schemes" Pravin explains. "A child without documents is invisible to the system. Our job is to make sure they are seen and given the opportunities they deserve" he emphasizes.
The organization began assisting students with legal documentation, ensuring they could claim their rightful benefits. Over time, three core pillars emerged in Roshini NGO’s work:
Mentoring & Coaching – Free guidance to help students prepare for entrance exams and university applications.
Legal Documentation Support – Assisting students from tribal, transgender, and marginalized communities in obtaining necessary IDs and certificates.
Scholarship Access – Mapping students to government and private scholarships, ensuring financial support for tuition, accommodation, and coaching.
"Education is expensive, but access to education shouldn’t be” - Pravin Nikam
Making it to top universities: Proving it’s possible
Pravin’s work took on new meaning when, in 2020, he himself won the Chevening Scholarship and pursued a Master’s in Human Rights and Politics at LSE (London School of Economics).
"I always dreamed of clicking a photo next to Dr. Ambedkar’s bust at LSE. When I finally did, I realized—if I can make it, so can others" he says.
Since then, ROSHINI has mentored multiple students for higher education opportunities and also they have secured fully funded scholarships at universities like Oxford, LSE, Ashoka, and Azim Premji University. These scholarships aren’t just numbers—a fully funded scholarship to LSE is worth ₹40-45 lakh, while a Young India Fellowship at Ashoka University costs around ₹30 lakh. For students from low-income and marginalised communities, these opportunities are life-changing.
The organization now operates six community centers and partners with local groups in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, expanding mentorship access beyond metro cities.
Overcoming financial challenges: IIM incubation and future goals
ROSHINI is building a scholarship program to financially support the education of students from marginalised communities and is looking for philanthropic partners.
In 2023, the NGO received a major boost when it was incubated by IIM Bangalore, providing financial support and strategic mentorship. This incubation has helped them sustain operations, but the road ahead remains difficult.
"We need to build a strong scholarship program coupled with a mentoring program to assist students from marginalized communities " Pravin explains. The long-term vision? A dedicated academic institute that serves as a gateway for students from marginalsed communities into higher education and the social impact sector.
"We don’t just want to get students into college. We want to equip them with the skills to thrive there" he adds.
Conclusion
From a worker’s colony in Pimpri-Chinchwad to the halls of LSE, Pravin Nikam’s journey is proof that education can change lives—not just for individuals, but for entire communities. Through ROSHINI, he’s ensuring that marginalized students don’t just dream of higher education—they achieve it.
For those inspired to support or engage with ROSHINI, check out the Make an Impact section below.
Make an Impact
Pravin Nikam’s journey shows that mentorship, legal support, and scholarships can change the lives of marginalized students. Here’s how you can support Roshini NGO in making higher education accessible to all:
Become a mentor – Volunteer a few hours a month to guide a first-generation learner in their education or career path.
Sponsor a student – Contribute towards educational scholarship funds costs for students in need.
Partner with ROSHINI NGO – If you’re an educational institution, corporate, or NGO, collaborate to expand mentorship and scholarship programs.
Connect with ROSHINI NGO – Visit https://roshinischolars.org to learn more, volunteer, or donate.
Connect on WhatsApp: Have questions or ideas to contribute? Start a whatsapp conversation with the foundation.
Share this article: Share ROSHINI NGO’s work within your network to help more students access opportunities.
Together, we can ensure that no student is left behind due to financial or legal barriers. Your small step can bring a big change. Be a part of this journey today!
Message from the Founder
If this story resonated with you and you appreciate my efforts in bringing such inspiring stories to light, I would be truly grateful for your support. Your contribution will help me continue uncovering and sharing real stories that are driving change across India.
Sincerely,
Abhilash Shah
ImpactStories
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