Rare pluck tucked under her blue belt

LUCKNOW: "You may say I''m a dreamer, but I''m not the only one." Lennon''s song could well be the theme song for the story of this 16-year-old girl, who had the conviction to stand up for her beliefs and follow her dreams.
Lalita Shukla, she of the charming smile and twinkling eyes, is someone you''d last expect to silently harbour the ability to knock you off your feet, literally.
A karate blue-belt from Bihar, Lalita is a real-life example of woman power. What''s more, her courage has also been recognised by Unicef, that has featured Lalita in a documentary film and also on the cover of their "World Children Report".
"Till about three years back, I was a simple village girl who would do the household chores, tend to the animals and cut grass in the fields. But I always had this desire to study," enthuses Lalita.
So, with nothing but her dreams to encourage her, she recounts: "I want to study, and this is what I told my parents," she recalls.
With a damning response in, "What will a girl do with an education...", Lalita decided to pursue her studies on the sly.
"I never told my parents but I used to go to school. One day my younger brother caught me and he beat me up," says Lalita in a matter-of-fact manner.
It was one year before she completed her class V that she learnt karate. Today, she has taught more than 300 girls in various districts of Bihar, alongside her studies.
"Now, my parents are very happy with my progress. In fact, they are proud of me now," says Lalita who wants to be a minister when she grows up.
"I have one dream. I want that there should be a school in every village, so that all the girls can study and not face the problems that arise due to illiteracy," says Lalita wishfully.