'First from my family to go to school': 7-year-old UP girl's determination to save her books amidst demolition drive wins hearts

Ananya Yadav, a Class 1 student, came at the digital forefront when she rushed to save her schoolbooks during a bulldozer demolition drive that targeted her family’s home. The emotional moment, where she is seen running out clutching her schoolbag, quickly went viral, drawing attention from the Supreme Court, political leaders, and social media users alike.

The incident unfolded on March 21, when Ananya returned home from her primary school to find a bulldozer arriving at her makeshift home. The district administration had brought the bulldozer to demolish what they deemed illegal structures built by Ananya’s family on government land. While her family was still in the midst of disputing the claims, Ananya noticed an adjacent hut catch fire, and without hesitation, she sprinted into her home to retrieve her most prized possession—her schoolbag.

«I am the first person in my family who goes to school. I study in Class 1 in a government primary school. My younger brother Adarsh has also started going to school,» Ananya shared. Despite her parents being daily wage workers and unlettered, Ananya expressed immense pride in attending school. «Since no fee is charged, my brother and I are able to attend the school,» she explained, noting that the books were a gift from her teachers and local villagers after she excelled in tests.

When asked what inspired her to dream big, Ananya enthusiastically shared, «A senior officer once visited my school. I do not know his name, but teachers told us he was an IAS officer. He became my inspiration, and therefore I too want to be an IAS,» she said, her eyes shining with determination.

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Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav took to X to post a video that showed Ananya