Priyanka Joshi : Banking and beyond

Priyanka Joshi was born and brought up in Kameri Devi village, a pilgrimage place near Chaukori. Locally famous for its mother goddess temple, this ancient settlement serves as a marketplace for people in the nearby villages. Her father runs a transport business and mother works as a teacher in the local government high school. Taking inspiration from her mother, Priyanka, from childhood onwards, wanted to study well and make a mark on the world beyond her home in the hills. 

She was enrolled as a young student in Himalayan Inter College (HIC), Chaukori. For her academic diligence and exemplary leadership, she was chosen as the head girl of the school. After completing her studies at HIC, she did her bachelor’s degree in sciences. Then she went on to pursue a Master of Business Management (MBA) in finance from Graphic Era Hill University, Bhimtal. 

In 2020, in a campus recruitment drive during the final year of her masters program, Priyanka was selected for a position in the banking sector. Presently she is working as an assistant manager at The Bandhan bank limited in Haldwani. Professionally she wants to become a senior manager in the next 5 years. Simultaneously she would like to continue her studies and obtain a doctorate degree in finance. 

Living in the city, she finds a number of opportunities for personal growth and professional development. While life in the hill villages is more peaceful and closer to nature, there are few career paths in a rural setting. She believes awareness is the first step in educating village children about job opportunities in urban centers. The growth of digital technologies in the rural areas could bridge the knowledge gap so that the villagers can learn about life choices in the world beyond their village. 

The challenges faced by hill communities, as per her understanding, are mostly economical, social and environmental. She opines, “The social problems include the gender gap between how girls and boys are raised and treated. While boys could move about anywhere and anytime, even in late hours, girls are restricted to their homes and school environment due to safety concerns. This needs to be addressed for achieving gender parity by sensitizing the people and increasing safety standards.”

Coming from a rural background herself, Priyanka knows how difficult it’s for the local kids to get quality education in the hills. She wants to help the deserving poorer students by offering guidance and assisting them in applying for scholarships to attend more academically rigorous schools. She feels this is how she could give back to society. She wants to associate herself with any organization or campaign that works to raise social and education awareness among her people back home. She remembers how she herself got support and encouragement from Himalayan Education Foundation (HEF) in her studies at HIC. 

While she is away from her busy banking job, Priyanka relaxes by watching comedy shows on TV and reading inspirational books. The movie, “3 Idiots”  is her perennial favourite and she unwinds listening to the music of Jubin Nautiyal. Travelling and exploring her own state of Uttarakhand has been a dream for this young banking professional.

Reminiscing about her years at HIC, Chaukori, Priyanka nostalgically recalls her experiences,” School life was a wonderful period of my life. Apart from academics, we learned a lot of things while at school besides academics such as friendship, loyalty, discipline and sincerity, all qualities that are much needed in one’s adult life.” She brightens up and recollects, ”The most unforgettable memory of HIC is when I became a school head girl. I did my best as a leader and learnt valuable lessons in life.”

Prinyaka’s advice to current students: “Set high personal and academic standards for yourself and try to live up to them. Listen to the little voice in your head that says – ‘You can do it.’ Believe in yourself and settle for nothing less than your very best.”

To contact Priyanka Joshi:

Email:           priyankajoshi2882@gmail.com

Phone No.:   8126177793