Keerthika Govindhasamy received the Best Storyteller Award from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ceremony to hand out the first-ever National Creators Award at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on March 9. The YouTuber from Tamil Nadu, who operates the popular channel 'Keerthi History', took to Instagram days after she won the award.

Keerthika Govindhasamy recounted her journey, one marked by struggle, determination, and eventual triumph. Keerthika acknowledged the efforts of her parents and relatives, recognizing the complexities of decision-making in a village setting.

Reflecting on her journey, Keerthika wants a brighter future for girls, free from the societal constraints she faced. She advocates for the education and empowerment of young girls, emphasizing that education does not equate to rebellion or elopement but rather opens doors to a fulfilling life. 

 

 

Read her story, which serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration

"Something I never even dreamed of.

I was 15 then. One night I heard my father crying bcoz people in the village badmouthed about me. All my life, they were ashamed of me.

No, I didn’t have any boyfriend. I was very good at studies. Then what went wrong? I just wanted to do things on my own. I didn’t want to depend on the men in my family.

You know we girls weren’t allowed to go to the shop nearby. I’ll have to beg my brothers if I need anything. Once I went to the shop which is literally 100m away and I got slapped for that.

I had to fight all my life even for basic things. All I wanted to do in my life was to become an archaeologist. That’s why I chose history for my graduation, so that I could do my masters in archaeology. But once I graduated, they said it’s enough to get married. I still remember how I cried helplessly that day.

Then I started to doing whatever work that comes in the way. I took tuition, did home tutoring, receptionist and what not. Even worked as an electrician. It took me almost 1.5 years to buy a second hand laptop. Me and father were not talking each for 6 whole years. That’s how much disappointed they were of me.

Don’t judge my parents, they did their best. In village it’s not just your parents who take decisions for you. Relatives play a major role. They tried their best to balance things. They tried their best to stand by me. I was a tough kid indeed.

Now fast forward to 2024, I took them on a flight for the first time and they witnessed me getting an award from the Prime Minister of our country. I can’t explain this feeling man. They were on cloud nine when I saw them. The way they looked at me. Man, I won in life. I won in life.

Hope the path is filled with less thorns for the girls of upcoming generations. Hope they realise educating your girl doesn’t mean she will end up eloping with someone.

Let them study. Let them have a life."