Amid ethnic violence in her hometown of Imphal and the challenges of adapting to a new city and language barriers, 19-year-old Benazirsana Yumkhaibam has achieved her political aspirations. She emerged victorious in the Panjab University (PU) elections, securing 327 out of 802 votes at MCM DAV College, Sector 36, to become the college's student council president. She faced competition from other candidates, including Charanpreet Kaur, Jasmine, Shaista Magra, and Zoha Mufti.
Benazirsana, affectionately known as Sana, arrived in Chandigarh two years ago to pursue a degree in History Honours. Despite not being very fluent in Hindi, Sana quickly made friends and built a substantial support network on campus. Her hostel friends are now assisting her in learning both Hindi and Punjabi.
In her campaign, Sana took a personal approach by directly engaging with voters rather than relying on social media.
Sana's journey was not without its difficulties. She found herself stranded in Imphal for almost a month during ethnic clashes earlier this year. Despite her concerns about catching up with her studies, her teachers and fellow students provided invaluable support during this challenging period. Sana declined to comment on the ethnic tensions, recognizing the sensitivity of the issue.
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Regarding her plans for the college, Sana's primary focus is on ensuring the availability of affordable food on campus and sufficient study materials, particularly for Geography, to aid UPSC aspirants.
Sana's family has been a pillar of support throughout her journey. Her father holds the position of deputy secretary at Manipur Assembly, while her mother is an advocate in the Manipur High Court. Her elder sister is pursuing an MBBS degree in Kazakhstan.
College principal Nisha Bhargava has encouraged the new student council to collaborate with authorities in fostering leadership and an entrepreneurial spirit among students. She emphasized that college elections serve as a platform for nurturing future leaders of the nation.
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Benazirsana Yumkhaibam's remarkable journey from Imphal to Chandigarh, overcoming language barriers and personal challenges, serves as an inspiring example of determination and resilience in pursuit of one's dreams and aspirations.
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