Indians from marginalised groups crowdfund for Western education

Dalit and Muslim aspirants seek help from strangers to pursue courses at some of the world’s most prestigious schools.

Chennai, India – Harshali Nagrale is a first-generation student from India’s Dalit community, formerly referred to as “the untouchables” who have faced systemic persecution by so-called upper-caste Hindus for ages. Having done extensive work in public policy and the education of marginalised communities, the 25-year-old now wanted to get a more specialised education in the field at a foreign university. While she secured admission into a masters programme in elections, campaigns and democracy at London’s prestigious Royal Holloway College, she hit a roadblock.