Meet Amrit Kaur -perhaps the first young Sikligar Sikh lady advocate from Hinganghat, Maharashtra, who defied all odds to realize her aspirations with the unwavering support and inspiration of her father, Thakur Singh. Unlike her fellow Sikligar girls, through sheer hard work and determination, Amrit Kaur is carving out a future for herself and a benchmark for other Sikligar girls to follow. In this interview with WSN correspondent Kamaljeet Singh, she shares her challenges and dreams. WSN will continue to chronicle the stories of these Humble Heroes.

RUNNING AROUND the lower courts of Hinganghat to the sessions court in Chandrapur and sometimes to the Aurangabad bench of the High Court of Mumbai, Amrit Kaur delves deep into the cases under the guidance of her senior colleagues and at the same is pursuing her postgraduation in Law as she sees her destiny to become a Judge, despite the challenges that she confronts.

Her elder brother had to discontinue his engineering education due to financial constraints, Her younger sister is married. Yet, Amrit’s determination propelled her forward. She persevered, thanks to her father’s guidance. She recognized that she was her father’s beacon of hope and was determined to make his dream a reality.  She is perhaps the first Sikligar Sikh lady lawyer from Maharashtra.

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Read Hindi version of this story here

ट्रक ड्राइवर ने बेटी के वकील बनने का सपना किया पूरा

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How did you begin your journey as a lawyer?

Amrit Kaur: With my father’s unwavering support, mentoring, and immense inspiration, I completed my schooling. Unlike many Sikligar youth, I didn’t initially have a concrete goal for my life. My father became my mentor. He urged me to pursue a career as a lawyer. 

What challenges did you face while building your career?

Amrit Kaur: I vividly remember the difficulties my father faced in arranging my college fees. However, he shielded me from the financial barriers. Even when we encountered financial struggles during my college years, my father found a way through his connections. I remained resolute in my studies and forged ahead.

How did you navigate the landscape of Sikligars, who traditionally pursued less education? Who inspired you?

Amrit Kaur: As I have said earlier, my father’s grace and profound inspiration empowered me to persevere in my studies without succumbing to challenges. Even though relatives and neighbors cautioned my father against allowing me, a girl, to pursue a demanding field like law, my father and I stood our ground. We were told that the legal profession for girls was unwise and would entail difficulties due to potential criminals and other factors. Nevertheless, I  persisted and here I am donning the black coat and pleading for my clients.   

Where do you envision yourself in the next five years?

Amrit Kaur: I aspire to prepare for higher roles, such as to become a judge. I also want to support Sikligar girls to pursue their dreams without any hindrance. I also feel that more Sikligars girls must become lawyers.  I firmly believe that girls must complete their education to achieve financial independence.. This empowerment can extend to their married lives as well, should they stand up for their right to education. 

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Read Marathi version of this story here

ट्रक चालकाने मुलीचे वकील बनण्याचे स्वप्न पूर्ण केले

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What advice do you have for present-day Sikligar youth, especially those who fritter away time on unproductive pursuits?

Amrit Kaur: A life is wasted without goals or aspirations. To all Sikligar youth, I emphasize the importance of pursuing their dreams, dedicating time to learning valuable skills, and setting personal goals. Spending excessive time on frivolous activities, being judgemental about others and indulging in loose talk about each other. Instead, they should focus on skill acquisition and personal development. This is the key to uplifting youth and realizing their dreams.

A life is wasted without goals or aspirations. To all Sikligar youth, I emphasize the importance of pursuing their dreams, dedicating time to learning valuable skills, and setting personal goals.

Is your family content with your accomplishments?

Amrit Kaur: Absolutely!

My father, the force behind my achievements, facilitated my education. He understands the significance of education, and his unwavering support and inspiration will benefit generations to come. In terms of relatives, many were initially skeptical of my pursuit of law studies. However, they now take pride in my accomplishments and acknowledge their worth. I am motivated daily by this support, I am proud of my family, and profoundly grateful to my father. 

This is not the end of the story of Amrit Kaur. WSN looks forward to her becoming a jurist in the years to come and serving as an inspiration to the fledgling Sikligar boys and girls. Amrit Kaur’s journey, from her father’s role as a truck driver to becoming her mentor, will serve as a powerful inspiration.  The WSN team will continue to share such inspiring stories from diverse corners of the country.