Anju Verma still remembers the summer she spent at a relative’s home when she was just 10 years old. What should have been a simple vacation turned into long days filled with cleaning, cooking, and serving tea to adults. She woke up before everyone else and went to bed after everyone had fallen asleep.
She didn’t have the language back then to describe what she was feeling. But she knew it was unfair. She knew something had to change. And that change should not just be for herself, but for other kids too.
That early experience became the reason Anju started standing up for child rights. It lit the spark that led to everything that followed.
Growing up where girls were expected to stay home
Anju comes from Daulatpur, a village in Haryana where girls are often raised with limited choices. Many don’t finish school. Some are married before they turn 18. Others are expected to stay home and handle household responsibilities instead of chasing dreams.
Anju saw this all around her. Even in her own classroom, classmates shared how their time was spent cooking, cleaning, or helping with livestock. Education was not a priority. For many families, it was considered unnecessary, especially for daughters.
Anju started asking questions. Why were boys treated differently? Why couldn’t girls go to school like everyone else? These weren’t questions people around her were used to hearing. But she didn’t stop.
Starting something when no one expected her to
At 16, while still in school herself, Anju founded Buland Udaan, a non-profit focused on child empowerment. The name means “bold flight,” a simple phrase that captured her entire mission.
She didn’t have big funding or a large team. She just had the belief that someone had to speak up for children. And if no one else was doing it, she would.
She started by talking to parents in her village. She explained the importance of sending children to school. She shared real stories. She brought in the sarpanch and community leaders. Slowly, people began to listen.
What Buland Udaan has done so far
Anju’s efforts have created visible change, not just in her village but in surrounding areas too. Her organisation has:
- Enrolled or re-enrolled over 700 children in schools
- Stopped more than 65 child marriages
- Intervened in 15 sexual harassment cases
- Prevented a female foeticide
- Provided food support to over 700 families during the COVID-19 lockdown
These are not just numbers. Behind each of these cases is a child who got a second chance. A family who chose education over early marriage. A girl who now feels safer because someone took her side.
It wasn’t easy to get here
None of this happened overnight. Anju faced resistance from many people in her community. Some thought she was too young. Others believed she was interfering. Changing old beliefs takes time, and it wasn’t always a smooth process.
Some families refused to speak with her. Others were polite but unwilling to change. Anju kept going. She followed up. She brought community leaders into the conversation. She used examples and built trust.
One thing she learned early on was that recognition changes minds. When students scored well in school, she made sure the parents were publicly praised. This motivated other families. They didn’t want to be left behind.
Her work is about more than just school
Buland Udaan’s work goes beyond getting kids into classrooms. The team also focuses on issues that directly affect children and young girls.
They run sessions on menstrual hygiene, aiming to end shame and misinformation. They’ve launched a program called Ek Lavya Ek Nayi Soch, which brings teachers live on social media to talk directly with students. The idea is to make learning more accessible and inspiring.
Their long-term plan is to expand their work across Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab, focusing on ending child labour, child abuse, and early marriage.
A growing team and growing recognition
What started with a team of 7 now includes over 20 dedicated members. Anju continues to lead from the front, while also partnering with government agencies and NGOs to strengthen the impact.
Her work has been widely recognised. She’s spoken on TEDx stages and been awarded by major organisations, including:
- The UN Volunteer Award
- The Youth Icon Award
- The BusinessLine Young Changemaker Award
- And several others from Bharat Petroleum, Save the Children, and more
She has also served as an advisory board member at Global Dignity and is an Ashoka Youth Venture fellow.
Why her story matters now more than ever
According to UNICEF, 29 per cent of girls and boys in India drop out of school. Child marriage, child labour, and abuse continue to exist, especially in rural areas. In many of these places, there is no large NGO or national agency on the ground.
There are just people like Anju. Young, determined, and willing to show up every single day.
Her story matters because it reminds us what one person can do even without money, position, or power. She didn’t wait for permission. She didn’t wait for perfect conditions. She simply started.
What’s next for her
Anju is now 18 and continues to lead Buland Udaan with the same energy she began with. Her goal is to scale their work across more states and ensure that every child has access to safety, education, and dignity.
She wants to see a time when girls don’t have to fight for their basic rights. When children are not asked to work or marry early. And when everyone in her village and beyond believes that every child deserves a real childhood.
Anju Verma’s journey is proof that you don’t have to be older to make a difference. You just need to care enough to begin. What started with one girl asking questions has now become a growing movement, helping hundreds of children rewrite their futures.
People Also Ask
Who is Anju Verma?
Anju Verma is a child rights activist from Daulatpur, Haryana. At 16, she founded Buland Udaan, a non-profit working to prevent child marriage, promote girls’ education, and protect children from abuse. Her efforts have helped hundreds of children return to school.
What is Buland Udaan?
Buland Udaan is a child empowerment organisation founded by Anju Verma. It focuses on enrolling children in school, stopping child marriages, raising awareness about menstrual hygiene, and protecting children from exploitation in rural communities.
How has Anju Verma helped children in Haryana?
Anju Verma has helped re-enrol over 700 children in school, stopped more than 65 child marriages, intervened in harassment cases, and supported families during the COVID-19 crisis. Her work has improved safety and education access for children in rural Haryana.
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