Born in 2002, Tamana Banger, a nursing student in Punjab, was raised by her mother and grandmother.
Her father, a steelworker, worked abroad since she was two years old. He was the sole income-earner in the family. He would send money home to support his family.
Growing up, her mother always told her that if she gets an education, she will get a good job, and won’t have to marry at a young age.
It was advice that probably stemmed from her own life experience. Tamana’s mother came from a poor family, and married at 20. She became a homemaker, raising three daughters in her husband’s ancestral home, in the village of Behram, Punjab. Both Tamana’s parents completed school only until grade 10.
Tamana took her mother’s advice. She completed grade 12, then applied to attend Guru Nanak College of Nursing in Dhahan Kaleran, Punjab.
Being rewarded for diligence in pursuing an education
It was an emotional experience when, on April 18, 2024, it was announced on stage that Tamana received a scholarship for being the top student in her third-year class. The announcement was made to an audience of about 133 students, faculty and guests.
“Her parents said no one really knew whether they existed or not. But on that day, to see her on stage, and the name of her parents mentioned as being their daughter – they were just so out of their mind believing somebody could mention their name like that. They were proud of their daughter’s accomplishment,” says Barj Dhahan while translating for Tamana during an interview. She cried recalling the event.
Barj is the principal founder of Canada India Education Society (CIES).
Remembering her family’s support and sacrifices so she could study nursing
One thing Tamana always remembered was that her family never treated her or her sisters as being ‘less’ because they are girls. She was always encouraged to go to school.
Her grandmother also encouraged her to remember the sacrifices that were made by her father, who was able to settle back in India in 2024.
She told her, “when you get a job think about the sacrifices your father made to be away from his family, so you and your sisters could go to school.”
Completing a bachelor of science in nursing with passion to care for the sick
Now in her fourth year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program, Tamana has come to enjoy the nursing profession.
“She says that, this being a caring profession, when you care for somebody, you receive blessings from the patient. This is fulfilling, meaningful,” says Barj Dhahan, again while translating for Tamana.
“She’s drawn to caring for people, those in pain, alleviating their pain and making them feel more comfortable,” he continues.
After graduating, Tamana hopes to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). And, if the opportunity arises, she’d like to pursue a master’s in mental health nursing.
Help more students like Tamana
To train young people in healthcare, we set up a scholarship and bursary fund for students studying nursing in rural Punjab, India.
Scholarships, bursaries and student loans are hard to find in India. So are student jobs. Many families struggle to advance their financial situation through post-secondary education.
We can’t help them on our own; we rely on several donors contributing whatever they can. Whether you give $5 or $5,000, your contribution will make a difference in the lives of real people.
You can donate directly towards scholarships and bursaries at the link below.