Her experience reflects the aspirations of thousands of tribal young people across Maharashtra. The state is home to nearly two million tribal youth aged 15 to 24, but access to higher education remains uneven. Through the Eklavya Kushal Skill Development Programme, more than 10,000 tribal youth have been trained to date, with women accounting for 42 percent of participants. Preparing tribal youth for the future also requires investment in the trainers who support them. These partnerships demonstrate how coordinated investment in education, skills development, mentorship and employment pathways can help tribal youth overcome barriers and turn aspirations into tangible opportunities.