Everyone is currently focused on making 2021 as positive and productive as 2020 was negative and unfruitful. Though much has been said on the subject, Heena Sodhi Khera’s Queen’s Brigade in association with Rouble Nagi’s Misaal India, are the ones actually doing it, by helping to bring light and smiles to the lives of underprivileged children in India.
Artist Rouble Nagi’s main agenda is to show that art is essential to everyone’s physical, mental and spiritual well-being. She has pioneered many community art projects over the years including the aesthetic beautification of public spaces with art works and installations, as well as promoting the holistic education of underprivileged children in India, through art and other creative mediums. To this end, she established the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation that works towards creating low cost and effective models of education for children that have problems accessing traditional and mainstream education.
One of her most prominent initiatives under the banner of the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation has been ‘Misaal Mumbai’, a program that focused on transforming prominent Mumbai slums through art, by painting the homes and cleaning the areas around them. Apart from beautification, this initiative helped educate the children about the importance of sanitation, empowering women, creating job opportunities for the youth, as well as effective methods of waste management. Rouble Nagi has pioneered the painting and repair of more than 1,50,000 homes in over 163 slums and villages across India. The message behind her program, ‘Misaal Mumbai’, was noticed by others and soon she began traversing the rest of the country to work with slums across India. With the support of MP Meenakshi Lekhi, the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation arrived in Delhi a few months ago to further her cause. At last count, more than 2,00,000 families have been impacted positively through the program that is now called Misaal India.
Queen’s Brigade, founded by Heena Sodhi Khera, is a unique collaboration platform for women. In its essence, it strives to create, connect and celebrate every woman’s unique capabilities, to help them realize their dreams. Queen’s Brigade helps women grow professionally and supports them in living a balanced and beautiful life. Further, Queen’s Brigade conducts workshops on soul nourishment, wellness events and works on fulfilling the emotional quotient of every woman who is a member. With their individual magnanimous visions, the collaboration between Heena and Rouble was a natural one for the Delhi chapter, and thus Queen’s Brigade x Misaal India was born.
Recently, undeterred by the extreme cold of early January or fears of the pandemic, a handful of Queen’s Brigade members accompanied Rouble on her daily class route to the Swami Vivekananda Marg Basti in Chanakyapuri. Alma Dhingra of Alma’s Story Time and Heena of Queen’s Brigade together conceptualised, wrote and performed a story specially for the occasion. The story session was followed by a memorable musical performance. Heena ended by conducting a wonderful session of meditation for the children. The delight on the faces of the children and the repeated refrains asking them to return, was the biggest prize their willing teachers could ask for. The rewarding experience has inspired the ladies of Queen’s Brigade to make these educational sessions regular and often, with a view to educate, empower, and help these bright young minds to connect with their inner selves.
The youngest participant at the workshop, was an enthusiastic 2-year-old boy who arrived with a notebook and pencil in hand, speaking volumes of the value these sessions are adding to him and his neighbours in the slum. If you would like to join in Queen’s Brigade’s next session in collaboration with Misaal India, be sure to follow up on their Instagram and Facebook profiles for the announcements. I know I definitely won’t miss it!
The writer is a lawyer who pens lifestyle articles on her successful blog www.nooranandchawla.com. She can be found on Instagram @nooranandchawla.