My Journey From A Small Rajasthan Village To JNU Student Council
Chhail Singh, Student Councillor from JNU School of Language, shares his thoughts on campus politics and the strength of democracy. His story:
I am Chhail Singh, a student from a small village called Magra in Barmer, Rajasthan. I grew up in a farmer’s family, where life was simple and hard-working. My father, Dungar Singh, has always believed that farming keeps our family together, and most of my childhood was shaped by that reality—limited resources, long hours in the fields, and the quiet grind of village life.
I completed my schooling in Barmer. Education slowly became something I held on to—not just for a degree, but to understand the world beyond my village. With time, that learning took me to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 2022, where I joined the Integrated BA-MA programmes in Spanish.
Coming to JNU was a big shift in my life. The campus introduced me to new ideas, new debates, learned discussions and new people. It took time to adjust, but I learned to absorb the cultural shock and gradually struck a balance between where I came from and where I wanted to go. I wasn’t here to become someone else; I wanted to grow, while staying connected to my roots.
During my first year, I got involved with NSUI. What drew me in was simple: the focus on student rights and the belief that everyone deserves to be heard. I liked talking to students, listening to what bothered them, and trying to help in small ways. Politics here wasn’t about big speeches—it was about everyday concerns, and I felt I could contribute.
My first election was tough. I lost by 28 votes, which stung for a while. But it also helped me see where I could do better and where I needed to put in more effort. I did not want to give up, so I continued working with the students.
In 2025, I contested again—this time for the Councillor post from the School of Languages, the largest school in JNU. The students trusted me, and I won the contest with 778 votes, the highest in SL that year. Even more special was the fact that NSUI won two posts from SL for the first time in its history. Being part of that team effort meant a lot to me.
Today, as the Councillor of the School of Languages, I see my role not as a position, but as a responsibility—to listen, to support, and to make sure students feel represented.
My story is simple: If a young boy from the sands of Thar can lead at a national platform like JNU, then no dream is too distant. If democratic student politics like NSUI can empower voices, then change is possible. And most importantly, if you carry your roots with pride, the world becomes your field of possibilities.
From Magra to JNU—my journey is not just mine. It is the victory of hope, perseverance, and every dream that rises from the soil.
As told to Deepti Sharma
