Dr. Kriti Bharti, a rehabilitation psychologist and social activist from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, has become a global icon in the fight against child marriage. She founded Saarthi Trust in 2011, which has annulled over 50 child marriages, prevented more than 2,100 cases, and rehabilitated over 25,000 women and children.
Her groundbreaking work is recognised globally and is now part of the CBSE curriculum, inspiring future generations to combat this injustice. Despite personal struggles, Dr. Bharti has dedicated her life to empowering survivors and dismantling entrenched societal norms.
Breaking Chains: Dr. Kriti Bharti’s Crusade Against Child Marriage
Born on August 19, 1987, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Dr. Kriti Bharti’s life was marked by adversity even before her birth. Abandoned by her father and raised by her single mother in a conservative society, she faced abuse and neglect from relatives who considered her a curse.
At the age of ten, she survived a poisoning attempt that left her bedridden for two years. Through sheer determination and alternative therapies like Reiki, she recovered and pursued education with vigour.
Dr. Bharti later earned a Doctorate in Rehabilitation Psychology from Jai Narain Vyas University in Jodhpur. Her early experiences shaped her resolve to address systemic injustices like child marriage. In 2011, she founded Saarthi Trust with the mission to create a child marriage-free society.
Her first major milestone came in 2012 when she annulled India’s first recorded child marriage—a case involving children married at ages three and one.
A Holistic Approach to Justice and Rehabilitation
Saarthi Trust operates on a unique model that combines legal intervention with rehabilitation. Beyond annulling child marriages, the organisation provides survivors with education, vocational training, and psychological support to help them reintegrate into society.
Dr. Bharti believes that empowering survivors is key to breaking cycles of oppression: “Justice alone is not enough; we must provide survivors with tools to rebuild their lives.”
Her efforts have set records—annulling marriages within days while also preventing thousands of others through community engagement and awareness campaigns. Saarthi Trust has also administered oaths against child marriage to over 25,000 villagers and students across Rajasthan.
Global Recognition and Achievements
Dr. Kriti Bharti’s work has earned her numerous accolades both nationally and internationally. She holds places in nine record books, including the Limca Book of Records and Asia Book of Records. She has been named among BBC’s 100 Most Influential Women and received prestigious honours like the Global Youth Human Rights Champion Award in Geneva.
Her advocacy has garnered support from celebrities like Priyanka Chopra and Vidya Balan and recognition from brands such as Hershey’s and Levi’s. Her initiatives have also been integrated into the CBSE curriculum to educate young minds about the dangers of child marriage.
Challenges Ahead: Tackling Deep-Rooted Norms
Despite significant progress, challenges persist in eradicating child marriage in India. Cultural norms, economic pressures, and lack of enforcement continue to perpetuate this practice in many rural areas. Dr. Bharti acknowledges these hurdles but remains undeterred: “Change is possible when society unites against injustice.”
Her advocacy extends beyond individual cases as she works closely with policymakers to strengthen laws against child marriage while fostering grassroots movements for change.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Dr. Kriti Bharti’s journey is a powerful reminder of resilience and social responsibility. Her work exemplifies how one person’s determination can dismantle entrenched injustices like child marriage while inspiring others to take action. The Logical Indian believes that addressing this issue requires collective effort—stronger legal frameworks must be complemented by community engagement and awareness campaigns.
As we celebrate Dr. Bharti’s achievements, we encourage our readers to reflect on their role in this fight for justice: What steps should society take to ensure a child-marriage-free future? Share your thoughts in the comments! Together, let us foster dialogue that drives positive change for generations to come.
