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Hello, I am Shefali, a poet/writer from Calcutta, India. I completed my BA English Honours from St. Xavier’s College Kolkata and MA English with Postcolonialism as a specialisation from the University of Calcutta. I am a UGC NET qualified independent researcher concentrating in the field of postcolonial literature and gender studies, and I work currently as a Freelance Copywriter in the Digital Marketing Industry.
Research Plan: This year, I’ve been accepted to the PhD programme in English at Trinity College Dublin, starting in September 2021. This is the culmination of 3 years of effort I’ve put into not just my research proposal but also my understanding of the field of Postcolonialism while working to support myself. My research is focused on the British-Caribbean author Jean Rhys, considered an important figure in postcolonial studies, and her treatment of black bodies in her text. Through this research, I want to draw attention to the wider issue of the treatment of marginalised and othered bodies in the hands of the ruling and semi-ruling classes, in postcolonial texts, and also understand the hierarchies and intersections of various marginalised communities (Rhys being a white creole). In fact, this has been the scope of all my past research projects, whether it be related to slave narratives or the work of immigrant LGBTQ+ writers.
Now, with regards to my programme, Trinity has been my dream college for the longest period of time and to finally get the opportunity to study here seems like nothing short of a miracle. However, the miracle, the dream is far from being fulfilled because I do not have adequate finances to fund my studies.
Background: I grew up in a small town called Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh. Making it to St. Xavier’s College Calcutta from there in itself was a big milestone, so to get accepted to Trinity College Dublin is a win like no other. But the funds required for the approximate duration of the programme, which is about 4 years, is beyond my reach. My parents are retired senior citizens with limited finances and health-related and other problems of their own. It would be not just unfair, but selfish and cruel to strip them of their savings, which is why I have decided to not seek their help. Even if they do support me, they do not have enough to support more than a year of my studies. Due to the pandemic, there’s no other funding opportunity available to me at present. However, I am in the process of applying to an education loan but even the amount availed there cannot help me fund my studies in full.
That’s why I hope to fund my studies with the combination of this loan and your help. I’m seeking help to finance the first year of my study, after which I shall finance the rest of it on my own, no matter what it takes. In the subsequent years, I will not only make use of the loan but will also apply to/compete for scholarships intended for current students at the college.
Requirement: The funds required for the first year of my study (fee + living expenses) is a little more than €25000, as evident in my offer letter, which is converted to about ₹23,00,000 in all. Without your support, I will not even be able to initiate my Visa application, so I am calling to your generosity and kindness to help me fulfill my dream.
You also have my word that any fund which is not utilised for my study shall either be returned to you or donated further to girl child and education-related causes because I strongly believe in the immense power of education, as well as the power of paying forward.
Thank you for helping me fulfill my dream. You can reach out to me at shefali.banerji@hotmail.com for further details or clarifications.
Research Plan: This year, I’ve been accepted to the PhD programme in English at Trinity College Dublin, starting in September 2021. This is the culmination of 3 years of effort I’ve put into not just my research proposal but also my understanding of the field of Postcolonialism while working to support myself. My research is focused on the British-Caribbean author Jean Rhys, considered an important figure in postcolonial studies, and her treatment of black bodies in her text. Through this research, I want to draw attention to the wider issue of the treatment of marginalised and othered bodies in the hands of the ruling and semi-ruling classes, in postcolonial texts, and also understand the hierarchies and intersections of various marginalised communities (Rhys being a white creole). In fact, this has been the scope of all my past research projects, whether it be related to slave narratives or the work of immigrant LGBTQ+ writers.
Now, with regards to my programme, Trinity has been my dream college for the longest period of time and to finally get the opportunity to study here seems like nothing short of a miracle. However, the miracle, the dream is far from being fulfilled because I do not have adequate finances to fund my studies.
Background: I grew up in a small town called Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh. Making it to St. Xavier’s College Calcutta from there in itself was a big milestone, so to get accepted to Trinity College Dublin is a win like no other. But the funds required for the approximate duration of the programme, which is about 4 years, is beyond my reach. My parents are retired senior citizens with limited finances and health-related and other problems of their own. It would be not just unfair, but selfish and cruel to strip them of their savings, which is why I have decided to not seek their help. Even if they do support me, they do not have enough to support more than a year of my studies. Due to the pandemic, there’s no other funding opportunity available to me at present. However, I am in the process of applying to an education loan but even the amount availed there cannot help me fund my studies in full.
That’s why I hope to fund my studies with the combination of this loan and your help. I’m seeking help to finance the first year of my study, after which I shall finance the rest of it on my own, no matter what it takes. In the subsequent years, I will not only make use of the loan but will also apply to/compete for scholarships intended for current students at the college.
Requirement: The funds required for the first year of my study (fee + living expenses) is a little more than €25000, as evident in my offer letter, which is converted to about ₹23,00,000 in all. Without your support, I will not even be able to initiate my Visa application, so I am calling to your generosity and kindness to help me fulfill my dream.
You also have my word that any fund which is not utilised for my study shall either be returned to you or donated further to girl child and education-related causes because I strongly believe in the immense power of education, as well as the power of paying forward.
Thank you for helping me fulfill my dream. You can reach out to me at shefali.banerji@hotmail.com for further details or clarifications.
