BOOKS OF THE WEEK

Every Last Girl: A Journey to Educate India's Forgotten Daughters 

by Safeena Husain

ABOUT THE BOOK

The extraordinary story of Educate Girls, the award-winning organization reshaping access toeducation in rural India
'Reveals the quiet revolutions unfolding in India's most forgotten corners' BANU MUSHTAQ
'Shines a keen and compassionate light on the last girl at the first mile of development ... Do read this book' ROHINI NILEKANI
India is one of the largest contributors to the global number of out-of-school girls. Poverty, early marriage and rigid social norms keep millions away from classrooms. At the heart of these issues is the symbolic 'last girl', Antimbala, representing those farthest from opportunity and first to be denied it. What would it take to change her fate-and that of countless others?
In 2007, Safeena Husain, whose own education was once interrupted, set out to find the answer. An initiative that began in a few pockets in Rajasthan has grown into Educate Girls – a grassroots movement that now spans more than 30,000 villages and has helped over two million girls return to learning. Through a network of local volunteers, it built leadership within communities, found new ways to identify out-of-school girls and track their progress, and proved that lasting change can start at the margins.
Drawing on years of first-hand experience and vivid stories from her work in India's villages, Safeena Husain's Every Last Girl traces this remarkable journey – the persistence it demands, and what becomes possible when a society chooses to bring its daughters into its future.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Safeena Husain has worked extensively with rural and urban underserved communities in South America, Africa and Asia. Armed with a London School of Economics degree, Husain first worked in a start-up in Silicon Valley. She soon switched gears to lead the US-based organization Child Family Health International for seven years. In 2004, she returned to India to take on an issue closest to her heart and launched Educate Girls in 2007. She has shepherded the organization through dramatic growth since then. In 2025, Educate Girls became the first Indian organization to win the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

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Stress’s Impact on Children’s Learning

Fridays @ EBD, reading from What Did You Ask At School Today? by Kamala Mukunda: The meeting began with a discussion on how stress affects children’s academic performance and emotional well-being, with participants sharing personal experiences of being punished for poor academic performance and exploring various risk factors that contribute to emotional difficulties in children. The conversation then shifted to educational challenges faced by first-generation learners in Bandarjud, where parents lack the necessary resources to support their children’s education. The conversation ended with suggestions to connect the Jaabaz Kishori project with Retreat plans and to invite girls from each village to participate, which were acknowledged as important initiatives. Summary Stress’s Impact on Children’s Learning The discussion focused on the impact of stress on children’s academic performance and emotional well-being. Neelashi explained how stress affects memory formation and highlighted the adverse effects of chronic stress on the developing brain. The group shared personal experiences of being punished or scolded for poor academic performance, with Jugjiv and Minakshi recounting instances of detention and parental expectations. Neelashi emphasised that stress is not beneficial for academic achievement and outlined various risk factors that can lead to emotional difficulties in children, including family difficulties, ecological factors, and school practices. The conversation concluded with a call to action for teachers to recognise and address these risk factors to support students’ emotional and academic development. Supporting First-Gen Learners in Bandarjud The discussion focused on the educational challenges faced by first-generation learners in Banjarjour, where parents lack the time and resources to support their children’s education, including basic skills such as holding a pencil. Akanksha suggested connecting the Jabas Kishore project with retreat plans by inviting two girls from each village to participate, either by selling local items or joining the retreat activities. Neelashi acknowledged the importance of these points and mentioned that Jugjiv Sir would take note of the suggestions. AI-generated content may be inaccurate or misleading. Always check for accuracy.

Three authors, three worlds!

This Sunday, The English Book Depot, Dehradun hosted a delightful literary gathering that brought readers and authors together in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The event featured Janhavi Prasada, known for Nainital: Through Memory, Stories and History; Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal, author of Chutney: A Compendium of Stories and Recipes; and our Sir Sandeep Dutt, author of My Good School.

Rather than a formal discussion, the event had a more personal and welcoming tone. Readers got the opportunity to interact with the authors, see their books up close, and appreciate the diverse themes their works explore.

My Good School highlights the importance of values and holistic learning in education. Chutney beautifully combines food heritage with culture and memory. Meanwhile, Janhavi Prasada’s book on Nainital captures the charm, history, and emotional landscape of the beloved hill town — making her meet-and-greet especially meaningful for those connected to the region.

The gathering was simple yet special — a space where literature brought people together, sparked curiosity about different kinds of storytelling, and reminded everyone of the joy of meeting the minds behind the books.

Sometimes, just being in the presence of authors and their work is enough to inspire readers — and this Sunday did exactly that. 

- Sneha at The English Book Depot