Hi. My name is Jenisha Singh, and I am currently pursuing PhD in English Literature at Ambedkar University Delhi. I come from the small town of Darjeeling in West Bengal. After completing my Bachelor's in English (Hons.) from North Bengal University, I had a dream to pursue a career in Literature. Despite economic hardships and unknown to the ways of a big city, with a strong mind I came to Delhi and pursued my Master's and MPhil in English Literature from Delhi University.

Ambedkar has said that education is the only way through which we Dalits can empower ourselves, the way through which we can find a voice, through which we can assert ourselves in a society which has always strived to invisibilise us. Following the teachings of Ambedkar, I set out on a pursuit of education hoping that this is the path of my and my community's upliftment.

I also cleared Junior Research Fellowship and got admission at Ambedkar University Delhi for PhD. I thought that finally I had proven my 'merit' to the casteist academia, and have made my dream come true. But because of bureaucratic lapse by the University Grants Commission, I have not received my fellowship since past more than a year.

I want to conduct research on material folklore of the Indian Nepali Dalit community. Being Dalit in an ethnic minority in India, my community doesn't find much mention in the dominant mainland discourse, leave alone a representation. I want to undo this invisibilisation, and make their history, narratives, folklore and voices heard.

But due to lack of any support or resources, I am not sure if I will be able to follow this dream anymore. I have started to develop anxiety, and look at future with utter hopelessness.

It is in this unfortunate situation that I appeal to you to please make monetary contribution and help me continue with my research. I understand that these are tough times for all, but it gets much tougher for the people pushed into the margins.