Nagaland -Chaiying Konyak (ST6069)

I have one sister and five brothers. Our parents didn’t had much to spare for our education as we hardly managed food from our cultivation but despite all difficulties, my parents managed to send me to school.

I got my admission in KGBV Chen in the year 2010 when I was studying in  VIII in GHS Chen. Like any other child in the village, it was just a routine to go to school without much aim or objective. But as I started staying in KGBV hostel, I got many opportunities to learn. At home I would be involved with household works and in kitchen for most of the time and whenever I would get free time I would be with my friends. In the hostel we had a time schedule for everything- studying, playing, vocational training, work, etc.

Out of the many fond memories and experiences in KGBV Chen, I would like to share a few. Most of the girls in the villages are naturally shy and under confident and I was not an exception. I was worse in many ways. However, we were given opportunities in the hostel to participate in many activities and we were made to participate in debates, extempore speeches, singing etc. All these have helped shape and mould me. Before KGBV, I did not have the confidence to stand up in front of a crowd. Now I have the confidence and ahve even represented my native place, Chen HQ, in the recent area student’s meet in a debate competition.

Another important aspect was sports in KGBV. I wanted to play but was shy and also did not get many opportunities but staying in the hostel boosted my confidence and I have represented our village students’ union, out school and also our area students’ union at the district level in volleyball.

Besides all other things, priority was given to studying. We had study hours in the mornings and evenings and apart from that we were also given career guidance and counselling. Being at home in the village, we did not have time to study as most of the time we were occupied with household works like fetching water, collecting firewood, cleaning, washing and helping in the  kitchen. When we had some free time, it was spent playing with friends. Being in the hostel we were given time to study with teachers and wardens to guide us. With the improvement in my academic results, my parents emphasized on staying in the hostel because with the kind of the environment we were brought up with, it is very difficult to clear board exams. Before joining the hostel, I studied because I was compelled to, but after joining, I was studying because I wanted to. I passed my matriculation exam from Nagaland State Board of Education in 2013 and to pursue my studies further, I left the hostel the same year. A big share of the credit for my success goes to my stay in KGBV hostel Chen.

After passing my Class X, I did my higher secondary from GHSS Dimapur and at present I am pursuing my graduation at Pranap Ananda Women’s College, Dimapur, Nagaland. I am in my second semester of BA Honors (History). Had it not been for KGBV Chen, I would have been just a regular girl in the village doing household chores. I wish other underprivileged girls would also get the same opportunities and benefits of KGBV hostels like me and I hope that KGBV hotels will continue to shape and mould many hundreds and thousands of girls.