Watch Daughters of Destiny

Daughters of Destiny is a four-part documentary series on Netflix that follows a group of young girls living in the Shanti Bhavan boarding school in rural India. The series is directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Vanessa Roth and produced by Impact Partners, a New York-based documentary production company.

The show is centered around the stories of five girls who attend Shanti Bhavan, a school that aims to break the cycle of poverty and discrimination in India by providing education and support to children from low-income families. The school takes a holistic approach that includes not only academic education but also personal and social development.

Each episode of the series follows a different girl and explores their background, aspirations, and challenges as they navigate life at the school and the expectations of their families and society. The show also features interviews with the students' families, teachers, and mentors, as well as footage of their daily life and activities at the school.

The first episode introduces us to the school and its founder, Dr. Abraham George, who left his successful career in the United States to create a school that would provide disadvantaged children with a chance to succeed. We meet one of the school's earliest students, Shilpa, who is now a teacher at the school and helps to mentor the girls.

The second episode focuses on Manjula, a girl from a poor family who dreams of becoming a doctor. We see her struggle with the pressure of her family's expectations and the challenges of adapting to the school's rigorous academic curriculum. We also meet Manjula's father, who works as a day laborer and must choose between supporting his daughter's education or providing for his family's basic needs.

The third episode follows Preetha, who despite facing discrimination and prejudice as a woman from a low-caste family, is determined to pursue a career in journalism. We see her overcome obstacles and setbacks, and witness the impact of her work on her community.

The final episode delves into the story of Shanti, a girl who was abandoned by her family and left to survive on the streets of Bangalore before she was brought to the school. Shanti struggles with feelings of abandonment and a desire to reconnect with her mother, while also striving to succeed academically and build a new life for herself.

Daughters of Destiny is a powerful and moving series that sheds light on the challenges faced by disadvantaged children in India and the transformative power of education. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of these young girls, and to the dedication and vision of the staff and supporters of Shanti Bhavan.

Daughters of Destiny is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between July 28, 2017 and on Netflix