44 Boxa tribe girls were enrolled in school by the Dehradun administration, years after they once dropped out. In a symbolic gesture, these girls were given school dresses and 4 notebooks with some stationary in a school bag hung over their shoulders. The ceremony was held on 11th October, 2020 in celebration of the International Day of Girl Child. 17-year-old Deepa, has been admitted into 9th class after a gap of 4 years. This time she is determined to finish off her education. With schools shut due to Coronavirus Pandemic, and without books or a mobile phone, she is worried about the approaching exams. The Boxa tribe is one of the most backward tribes, most commonly found in the Uddham Singh Nagar and Vikas Nagar belt of Dehradun district in the hilly state of Uttarakhand. These girls quit school at an early age to carry out household chores or work in the fields. With no time frame on when the books will finally reach these girls, their fate hangs in balance. While the administration feels content that the girls are back on the path to education, the grim reality on the ground is starkly different.

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