Tiruchy ADW girl Breaks Stereotypes, Accepts Admission in Top Law University

17-year-old D Rahini has etched history as the first Adi Dravidar Welfare (ADW) school girl from Tiruchy's 17 ADW schools to have been chosen in one of the country's premier National Law Universities (NLU). Disabled and Dalit girl student Rahini has confirmed admission in Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur, under second round counselling by CLAT.

Rahini of Government ADW Higher Secondary School, Milaguparai, broke the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) with rank 3,724 in Scheduled Caste and 185 in Persons with Disabilities (PwD). Never having gone beyond marks 300 out of 600 in Class 12, school life with sincerity, honesty, and interest kept hurdles away from her.

Raised by her grandmother following the death of her mother and father who is employed in a small local hotel, Rahini's is a story of persistence. "It is not for me, it's for my whole family," Rahini ticked off the days when she will be paying back those who are having faith in her.

Her achievement was made possible thanks to consistent coaching efforts at her school and financial support through the Tamil Nadu government's Naan Mudhalvan scheme, which will cover her education and hostel expenses.

School headmaster V Paneerselvam expressed immense pride in her accomplishment. “We’ve been offering focused CLAT coaching for the past few years. Rahini’s success is proof of what structured guidance and perseverance can do,” he said.

Rahini is not the sole success. Two other students with disability from Karur's Kottaimedu ADW school, Vishnu V and Akilan M, have been selected for admission in NLU Assam and NLU Odisha too.

The achievement of Rahini was welcomed by an Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department official as a "milestone" for inclusive education in Tamil Nadu, demonstrating what could be accomplished when talent is given the right opportunity.