How a 12th Pass 'Dehati Madam' Started Teaching English to Millions on YouTube

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Yashoda Lodhi found herself bearing the weight of her family’s financial burdens after her husband, a daily wager, met with an accident.

Hailing from an impoverished family in Uttar Pradesh, Yashoda had only studied till Class 12. As she searched for means to support her family, she struggled to make ends meet.

Eventually, she decided to learn how to make videos on YouTube to earn a livelihood. Through dedication and practice, she started her own YouTube channel called ‘English with Dehati Madam’, where she teaches spoken English and grammar to her followers.

Dressed in a saree and wearing a bindi, Yashoda takes English lessons. She said in an interview, “The fact that I am a villager should not mean that I cannot speak English.” This struck a chord with the audience.

Today, she teaches spoken English to millions on YouTube and has amassed nearly three crore views, earning up to Rs 80,000 a month. Her success reflects the power of the Internet to empower individuals from all walks of life.

Watch this video to learn how Yashoda scripted success with sheer determination:

Edited by Pranita Bhat