Chatura Juwatkar & Prajakta Kadam | 17th August 2025
At 40, Ranjana Jadhav is rewriting her destiny in a Mumbai night college
When Ranjana Jadhav was a young girl, family situations kept her away from the classroom. But she made herself a quiet promise—one day, I will go back to school.
Four decades later, Ranjana is not only the mother of a Class 12 student, but also a final-year B.Com student herself, pursuing her degree at a night college in Mumbai. Her journey is one of grit, sacrifice, and a constant love for learning—reflecting the struggles of thousands of adults across India who search for a second chance at education after life has forced them to put their dreams on hold.
A Journey Delayed, Not Denied
Ranjana’s return to education began in her late 20s when she joined in a night school for Class 8. Financial tension and an early marriage had pushed formal education aside, but her willpower never faded.
While managing household chores, raising her son, and working as a cook in a nearby home, she slowly climbed the academic ladder—completing her SSC, then HSC, and now, her graduation in commerce.
Her days follow a strict rhythm: work in the morning, household responsibilities in the afternoon, and from 6 to 10 PM, lectures at college. “Yes, it gets exhausting. There isn’t enough time for studies or for myself. But I love learning. That keeps me going,” she says.
Her journey was anything but easy. One year, she had to repeat a class due to carry-over subjects. But Ranjana refused to see it as wasted time. She used that year to complete a Tally Prime course and attend English coaching.
“I didn’t let the year go in unproductive. I learned something new,” she says, her voice steady with pride.
The Unseen World of Night Colleges
Night schools and colleges rarely make it to mainstream discussions. Yet, for thousands of domestic workers, daily wage earners, and married women, these institutions are lifelines—offering affordable education with flexible timings.
For Ranjana, her school and college became more than academic spaces. “Our teachers are supportive; our principal is approachable. They care about our future,” she says.
A Real-Life ‘Atta Thambaych Naay’
Her story echoes the Marathi film Atta Thambaych Naay, which depicts students in night schools battling personal and social hurdles just to stay in class. Like the film’s characters, Ranjana represents resilience in its purest form.
“Many women started studying because they saw me going every day. Some left due to family pressures or work, but I kept going,” she says.
Education has transformed Ranjana into a community resource. She now helps neighbours with bank forms, government applications, and even volunteers during election drives. She conducts informal literacy classes at a local Buddhist vihara, teaching elderly women to read and sign their names.
She also tutors her own son—both of them studying commerce together. “He asks me questions from accounts. I feel proud that I can help him,” she says with a smile.
Why These Stories Matter
Ranjana’s journey is not just personal—it’s a call for visibility. Media and policymakers often celebrate top-ranked institutions and academic toppers, but the world of night colleges remains in the shadows.
Better infrastructure, digital literacy training, career guidance, and policy support could change countless lives. More importantly, media storytelling can shift the perception of night schools from a ‘last resort’ to a legitimate and inspiring path.
Her Message: Don’t Stop Learning
“If you want to grow, you have to study. It’s important for our country,” Ranjana says.
She has no illusions about the difficulties—just an unbreakable commitment to keep going. “One educated person in the family changes everything,” she adds.
For Ranjana, the promise she made to herself years ago is no longer a dream—it’s her daily reality, one evening lecture at a time.
Chatura Juwatkar and Prajakta Kadam work as media researchers, with a special interest in documenting how ordinary people reshape their lives through learning and perseverance.
