India, July 9 -- A young girl's request for education loan of Rs 35,000 is turned down. But her dignity, resolve and handwritten application set off a chain of events that would expose bureaucratic apathy, reveal systemic market failures

It was a warm July afternoon in 2014, and I was chairing a committee meeting in my capacity as Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Una, a district in Himachal Pradesh. Just as the meeting was winding down, a young girl walked into my office. She introduced herself as Babita Thakur (name changed) and said she needed Rs 35,000. On further inquiry, she explained that the amount was for pursuing her college education.

Her courage struck me. For a young girl from a rural background to step into the DC's office alone...