A life of dreams and dedication
Since the age of 15, Moni Kannaujia has been paying for her education. A girl hailing from a humble background, Moni has known struggle from an early age.
Today, at 24, she heads the content division team of Study Hall Educational Foundation’s (SHEF) outreach unit, which produces educational video lessons used by over 900 government schools, and also manages its YouTube channel that has over 24,000 subscribers and more than 3 millions views.
Meet the Young Society Leader who has braved odds and risen above ranks to lead from the front. She has also started a private venture with two of her associates.
HT City brings to you her success journey.
TOUGH CHILDHOOD
Moni’s father is a washerman and mother a domestic help. “We are four sisters and a brother. My brother and one sister are older to me. At times, we pitched in to help mother by cooking food in households,” she says.
The siblings studied in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Vidya Mandir till Class 3, but had to leave it midway, as they were unable to pay the fees. “The condition at home was very bad. We could not afford the fees. Then, I came to know about Prerna Girls’ School (run by SHEF) and took admission in 2005. The fee was just Rs 50 and we were given the liberty to pay it at ease. Teachers too helped us financially, especially with books,” says Moni who studied in Prerna School from Class 5 to 12.
She says education and grooming helped her build confidence. “Padhai ke alawa humein shasakt karne and jaagruk karne main bhi humari sahayata ki gai (other than studies, we were helped to become self-reliant and knowledgeable). We were told about our rights and various problems,” says Moni.
“We used to discuss issues like dealing with marriage pressure and restrictions on going out late in the evening. The school guided our parents and us to overcome these odds. Today, our parents have started believing that girls and boys are equal.”
DIGITAL JOURNEY
Moni’s interest in digital technology started when she was in Class 8. “I requested Anand bhaiya (Anand Chitravansi, now director) to help me learn how to operate the camera. Whenever my teachers asked me about my dreams, I said I wanted to work behind the camera. So, after completing Class 12 in 2012, I joined Digital Study Hall (DSH) and have been working here since then,” she says.
As a part of the Kidnet programme, she got the opportunity to visit Los Angeles. “It was a UNICEF project in which we had to make two-minute videos. The top three videos were selected and we (with associates Preeti and Priya) went to in LA for the presentation,” says Moni.
At present, she leads the content management vertical, supervising juniors Sheela and Sunita. “My work involves looking after our YouTube channel, which has 24,500 subscribers and over 3 million views. I shoot, edit and produce the CBSE and UP Board curricula and upload the same on our channel,” she says.
This data is used by the Ministry of HRD’s National Teachers’ Platform, the Rajasthan government’s ‘Shaladarpan’ and the UP Government.
“We are working on QR code work for the UP Government, in which just by scanning a code, a user can watch the entire classroom lecture on our channel. It has the complete syllabus of UP Board from Classes 1 to 8 as video lessons, as well as CBSE curriculum from Classes 6 to 8.”
Moni was recently also nominated for the CII Foundation Award, in which she was among the top 5 finalists.
EDUCATION THE KEY!
Moni firmly believes that education is the key for success and self-reliance. She is especially focused on digital education and wants to reach out to a wider audience.
“I am committed to taking my work to a higher level and empowering others through education. It is through education that I have grown. We want to reach out to each and every individual. I feel that everyone should dream and work to achieve their aspirations. Restrictions should not deter us and we must fight them,” she says.
Moni has also made a couple of documentaries that are a part of the DSH.
Speaking about her private venture SMS Photography (with Sunita and Sheela), Moni says they are looking forward to taking up professional assignments now.
“We click pictures of school functions and will now be taking our work outside too. We plan to make documentaries and do photo/video shoots. Although our educational work leaves us with very little time, we feel strongly about this venture and want to involve more girls who may wish to join us. A bigger team will help us take our work in the private space too,” she says.
Moni completed her graduation from IGNOU and is pursuing masters in mass communication from the Shia PG College. She is also a ‘Woman Power Angel’ -- designated as civil police by the UP government to fight and report crimes against women.
MENTOR’S VISION!
Urvashi Sahni, founder -- Study Hall Foundation and Moni’s ‘auntyji’, says, “She started as an apprentice, but we noticed she was sincere, dedicated and willing to go the extra mile for duty. During field visits, she emerged as a peer leader and a good mediator. At our institute, all our leaders are homegrown and we believe in training them on job. Moni was also a part of our collaboration with the University of California, Berkley (Kidnet programme).”
Sahni has a big vision for Moni. “She is perfectly the ‘honhaar birwan…’ – and we have groomed her. We have given her the contract for school photography, and my vision for her is that one day she will become a world-class professional photographer,” says Sahni.
WINNING MOMENT
Moni says she was delighted to hear her name as a winner. “The category had so many strong nominees. I could not believe when they called out my name. After chief minister sir gave me the trophy he said, ‘tumhare kulpati yahan hai…unko bula lo’. I did not understand, but then I realised he was referring to vice chancellor sir (Prof SP Singh). I was a great moment. I wish auntyji (Urvashi Sahni) had also come on the stage,” says Moni.
