Author: Bihar Say | Amrita |

From Bihar to Kerala: A Migrant’s Story Now in Kerala’s Class VI Textbook!

“बिहार की एक बेटी की कहानी अब केरल की किताबों में!”

Dharaksha Parveen’s life story is proof that dreams, when nurtured, have the power to transcend borders. A migrant woman from Bihar, she never imagined her memoir would one day become part of Kerala’s Class VI curriculum. Her journey from Darbhanga, Bihar to becoming a Malayalam teacher in Kerala is now being shared with students across the state.

A Journey That Changed a Life

Dharaksha’s family moved to Kerala in 2013 when she was just 10 years old. Her father had already settled there and worked hard to provide for the family. Adjusting to a new place was difficult, especially because of the language barrier. In Kerala, Malayalam was the medium of instruction, making it hard for Dharaksha to study at first.

However, she didn’t give up. Dharaksha enrolled in the Roshini project, which helps migrant children learn Malayalam. She began attending classes and, through persistent effort, she slowly mastered the language. This marked the beginning of her remarkable journey.

How Her Story Became a Lesson in Textbooks

In 2023, a small article in a local daily changed everything. The article featured a function held at GHS Binanipuram, the school where Dharaksha now teaches craft and Malayalam. Narayanan Mash, who read the article, reached out to her school. He wanted to know more about Dharaksha’s story and invited her to write a piece for a book.

Dharaksha agreed and wrote a letter to her friend in Bihar, describing her life in Kerala, her achievements, and the people she had met. After being edited and reviewed, her story was selected to be part of the Class VI Malayalam textbook for the 2025-26 academic year.

From a Struggling Student to a Teacher

The path to becoming a teacher was not easy. Dharaksha faced numerous challenges when she first arrived in Kerala. The language barrier made it difficult to keep up with school. But she worked hard, relying on pictorial books to help her understand the new language.

Her efforts paid off when she joined the Roshini project. With more support, Dharaksha excelled in Malayalam and became fluent. After completing Plus-II, she took a test for a teaching position with the Roshini project. She aced both the test and the interview and started teaching migrant children.

A Role Model for Future Generations

Today, Dharaksha teaches Malayalam and craft to migrant children. She strives to inspire and empower them, showing them that hard work and determination can lead to success, no matter the odds. Her story is not only about overcoming challenges but also about changing narratives.

She has set her sights on building a house for her parents before she gets married. “Normally, it’s considered the responsibility of sons. But I want to change that,” she says.

Settling Down in Kerala: A New Home

Despite the deep connection to her roots in Bihar, Dharaksha has decided to stay in Kerala. Her family shares the same sentiment. There are no plans to return to Bihar because they believe Kerala offers better opportunities for their future. Dharaksha and her family are ready to build their life in Kerala, and this choice marks a significant shift in their future.

Join the Story!

Dharaksha’s journey is just one of many untold stories of grit, determination, and change. To read more about such inspiring stories, follow www.biharsay.com for regular updates. Become part of the 11k global community that’s reshaping Bihar’s narrative and celebrating the triumphs of its people!