CAMPAIGNS

ABHIYAAN (Campaign)

Hindi word ‘Abhiyan’ means any step which is taken for a certain cause or to achieve a certain goal. Under the umbrella of the Aseem Asha Foundation, many campaigns are being run. These campaigns were designed and implemented at different stages as mentioned below.

A. Save the Water Campaign (Jal Sangharsh Abhiyaan) Since 2010

Inception stage

The save the water campaign is the fruit of a seed that was sown by the students of Okhla Community Development Centre (Earlier known as Fun and Information Center). Community beneficiaries gathered together to discuss the issues prevailing around them. Mushtaq, a community member has stated adversities faced by him and his neighbors due to scarcity of water. It was found that water-related issues were very vital for the community and hence there is a need to run a campaign for it.

Formation of the campaign

A detailed discussion about the water-related issues in Okhla with other students, and founder Aseem Usman, sixteen-years-old Mushtaq Ali along with his companion Adnan, Irfan, Shahrukh Khan, Aqsa, Aman, Arman, Imraan Khan, etc. wrote and produced an animation film 'Pani Pani Pani Re' for the Sanshrey project. This was Mushtaq’s debut directional which was based on his daily life experience with water. Aseem Asha Foundation has been running this Water Campaign to address various water-related issues including accessibility, scarcity & conservation of water in association with several like-minded organizations. The paucity of drinking water both in urban and rural areas has escalated to an acute level in the last two decades, especially heightened by drought and privatization of water. Globalization in India has opened up an invasion of global capital on natural resources. Water—the source of life for all species—is being converted into a commodity. Rivers, lakes, dams, and groundwater resources are being taken over by the global water market. This has resulted in an intense struggle between local communities in various parts of India and the water corporate giants.

Aims and Objectives

Following are the goals of this campaign

• To campaign against the privatization of water.
• To redefine water as a natural right of the species and not a fundamental right of any human.
• To produce and screen films on water issues, water struggles, water conservation, and related issues in collaboration with schools, colleges, and communities to initiate dialogue on the issues of control and use of water.
• To engage students and youth in the conservation of water like bunting, water harvesting, and planting trees.
• To engage and sensitize students and youth in water-related issues creatively through various forms of arts in communities, schools, colleges, public, and religious places on individual and group levels.
• To organize seminars and workshops to educate people on the negative impact of water privatization on people and all species.
• To address the socio-political and cultural implications of water privatization resulting in the informed taking of action.

Implication

The campaign was designed and implemented in the slums of Okhla Village, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi. Students produced posters, flyers, animation, video films, and songs to save water. The audio-visual materials were distributed through DVDs and mobile phones in local areas of Okhla Village, Seelampur, Jafrabad, Dwarka, Kathputli Colony, Karala Village, and Amroha, JP Nagar. The film was also sent to CMS VATAVARAN’s traveling film fest, International Water Film Fest, Green Unplugged International Film Fest, Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF), and JDCA Film Festival. This audio-visual material had also been made available online for the global audience. This movement was supported by Aseem ASHA Foundation and Community Media Initiative(Sanshrey) in association with other organizations such MAAC, South Extension, Kalakar Trust, Agha Khan Trust, Tagore International School, Lady Irwin College, St.Mary's School, and others.

Impact

Foundation has been running a campaign to save the water, the essential natural resource of Delhi’s various communities and neighboring states, such as Okhla Village, Seelampur Trans Jamuna, Kathputli Colony, Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti, Dwarka, and others, where water shortage is a part of everyday life. This campaign has become a movement now. Mushtaq has presented 'Paani Paani Paani Re' in various communities, colleges, art centers, schools, public places, residential colonies, parks, and streets to sensitize communities about the importance of water. He interacts with the audience after the screenings to motivate them to harvest water through cost-effective traditional methods. He and his companions have been distributing the film through Facebook, YouTube, Mobile Phones, and DVDs to people of various local, national, and international communities. National media has also written about this initiative.

Mushtaq and his cohorts were deeply inspired by the Hindi feature film “Well Done Abba” directed by eminent film director Shyam Benegal based on water issues and its song ‘Pani Ko Taraste'.

Shyam Benegal also acknowledged the efforts of the team and wrote "Congratulations! I am happy that my film sparked the creativity and imagination of at least one person. My best wishes to all of the team members."

It further activates the observation of World Water Week.

World Water Week 2012

• Sanshrey (Community Media Initiative) celebrated the third week of March 2012 as World Water Week at St. Mary's School, Dwarka. This celebration included:
• Water Campaign in Dwarka, Sec 19, New Delhi by the students of St. Mary's School and by the members of Community Media Initiative (Sanshrey)
• Sensitizing local water issues through the screening of a newly-produced water-related film in various societies, schools, and communities in Dwarka
• release of the short film 'Holy Water' on World Health Day, 7th April 2012 at Hazrat Inayat Khan Health Center, Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti, New Delhi
• Water Shorts Film Fest
• Production of a short video film based on local water issues of Dwarka, New Delhi

 

B. Break the Silence Campaign (Chuppi Todo Abhiyaan) Since 2007

Inception

The campaign is based on Aseem Asha’s research published by UNESCO with support from Queensland University, Adelaide, Australia, Social Welfare Department, Delhi, and Datamation Foundation, Delhi. It was then Aseem realized the magnitude of problems and facilitated discussions on such problems in Media Resource Center with students. Aseem disseminates various literature based on rights and laws to the girls that enable them to develop theoretical and practical learning about the local women issues. Kiran Rai with her other friends like Sadia, Shahina, Iqra, Hina, Nazreen Hayat Khan, Shabnam, and Farheen Khan wrote the various scripts of the film on domestic violence issues that helped in building their capacity for raising voice against gender-based violence. Kiran wrote various scripts during Sanshrey’s training and raised her voice for the vices like domestic violence, eve-teasing, dowry, child marriage, etc. She was taught research methodology and Ethnography tools that helped her a lot to document the stories of the Victims of Domestic Violence. Further, she worked with various communities such as Jafrabad, Seelampur, Trans Jamuna Community where she conducted Women Panchayat and solved the various cases of Domestic Violence, and helped in women empowerment of the community. A short documentary “Asha Ki Kiran” was made on her life in which she explained her journey about dealing with domestic violence and gender-based violence. Consequently, the idea of having Chuppi Todo Andolan was conceived.

Formation

The ‘Chuppi Todo Abhiyaan’ was designed in Jafrabad Community. later it covered the Seelampur, Brahampuri, Janta Mazdoor Colony, Welcome, Jama Masjid, Kathputli Colony, Nizamuddin Basti, Okhla Village, and other communities where the issues of Domestic Violence were quite common. This campaign also motivates girls of Okhla Center such as Farhanan, Adeeba, Tahzeem, Iram, Ilma, Bushra, Shabana, Shahana who took this campaign forward. Students of Lady Irwin College actively participated in this movement as well.

Later, Kiran curated various gender-based films made by Aseem Asha Foundation and presented them at various places during Udaan Community Film Festival such as Kalakaar Trust Hope Project, Delhi University, Amity University. During the community interactions, she sensitized both women & men on gender-based violence and shared her personal experiences as well. A poem was written by founder Aseem Asha Usman “Aao Chalo Mil Jul Kar Ke Chuppi Ko Tode” was also sung in community interactive sessions. Kiran and her team became a source of inspiration to other girls from another NGO Apne Aap Women Worldwide which working on Women Trafficking and empowerment. During the group interactions, they came up with a range of domestic violence issues from their own community and produced films to ring the bell. Further, these girls inspired other localities and that’s how this campaign perpetuated the change.

Aims and Objectives

• To end the violence of every nature such as Physical, Mental, Social, Emotional, Financial, etc.
• Help and support the victims of Domestic Violence to raise their voice against such vices in a creative manner
• Women & Gender Empowerment
• Enabling Community Members to take stand for victims of Domestic Violence
• Training of Community Mobilisers on Domestic Violence & Legal Right issues
• Development of print materials for community mobilizer to communicate with people
• Research & Advocacy
• Developing Primary Support Center for the Victims of Domestic Violence
• Creative content creation on Domestic Violence
• Organization of seminars & symposiums
• To organize events for creating awareness among the communities using alternative art forms such as music concerts, theatre performances. painting and photography exhibitions etc.
• Providing assistance to the victims of Domestic Violence in getting financial independence, regaining their lost identity& empowerment
• To make conditions for victims of Domestic Violence and Violence Based Gender (VBG) to share their stories about the violence at home.
• To advise the overall population about the cycles and opportunities for anticipation and security of DV and VBG
• To lead a media campaign for prejudice towards Domestic Violence (DV) and Violence Based Gender (VBG) and to facilitate the way for its solutions
• To create manageable models of communication, exchange, and association with organizations, who understand the strategy on managing cases of DV and VBG

Implication

During the campaign, participants produced flyers, pamphlets, newsletters, posters, and short films with support from local people, schools, and non-governmental organizations. They also presented the song “Aao chalo mil jul kar ke chuppi ko tode (let's come together and break the SILENCE)” to sensitize other communities about the issue of Domestic Violence. Films such as Bejod Bandhan, Tota Maina, Kuchh Bolne Do, Mere Chaaro Taraf, Sauda, Shanno Driver, Asha Ki Kiran were made and shared in personal contacts through DVDs, flash drives, memory cards, Pen drives, etc.

Later, Bazm e Mehndi (Mehndi Festival) was organized where girls from Jafrabad, Sellampur, and Okhla Community applied Henna to local women in a community park. This served as a platform to make the local women aware of women's rights to equality, freedom, expression, justice, and empowerment. Women were thrilled by the song “Chuuppi Todo” presented by the girls. This saw the birth of a group - the Gang of Girls, working against domestic violence which helped the communities to combat Domestic Violence.

Impact

Women of various communities drew inspiration from our campaign and learned to negotiate for their rights. Many National Dailies published soft stories on the campaign. Post Graduate students of Delhi University wrote their dissertations and published research papers on Domestic Violence. Grassroot women started speaking about the atrocities faced by them after watching films during Udaan Community Film Festivals.

Girl Gang against Domestic Violence of Okhla Community became the community mobilizers and helped the houses to connect with Aseem Asha Foundation in order to tackle the violence. Out of many such cases, one was of a household where the husband used to beat his wife under the influence of alcohol. The issue was brought to the notice of Aseem Asha by the Girl Gang. Not only did the Foundation immediately liaison for her legal rights but also sponsored the education of her daughters who were studying in school and college. Today one of the girls is a breadwinner of a family teaching at a nearby public school. Additionally, women from communities, schools, colleges, slum areas, elite societies, unauthorized colonies, artist communities, business classes, etc. raised their voices against domestic violence too.

C. Art & Artist Campaign (Kala aur Kalakaar Abhiyaan) Since 2011

Inception

As the founder Aseem Asha Usman worked with three eminent personalities of Art forms i.e. Painter Jatin Das, Director Muzaffar Ali & Music Maestro A. R. Rahman, he developed a deep curiosity towards it. He also closely observed Dhrupad Singer Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar. Aseem wanted to highlight the unheard talented heroes from the community by providing a  platform to showcase their arts. The main agenda was not only to expose street artists but also bring the celebrated artists for their inspiration and have an exchange of ideas.

Formation

Aseem Asha Foundation has organized personal meetings with the artists and documented their artistic journey in the form of short films. A group led by Mushtaq Ali who was also a part of the water campaign and other students such as Akbar, Monis, Meraj, Moazzam, Iqra, Saba, Adiba, Farhana & others met and documented the life of numerous artists, laureates, and well-known personalities. Furthermore, various art projects were organized which were led by Farhana, Adeeba, Saba & Zainab, they made paintings on the incarnations of Goddess Durga, Saraswati & Laxmi. They met renowned painters like Padma Vibhushan SH Raza, Padma Bhushan Jatin Das, Padma Shree Anjoli Ela Menon & Arpana Kaur as well. Beneficiaries learned about visual depiction by visiting various art galleries such as the National Gallery of Modern Arts, the Visual Art Gallery of India Habitat Center, India International Center. They got practical exposure to the crafts through seeing real arts & crafts pieces at Dilli Haat Market, Craft Museums, Pottery & Handicraft exhibitions, etc. After this exposure, we felt that local artists and their work needed proper documentation and that’s how students of Sanshrey made films on street, local, and renowned artists ranging from Embroiders, Flute Players, Painters, Carpenters, Block printers, Singers, Dancers to Art Critics, Sculptors, Art Historians, etc.

Aims and Objectives                                            

• To promote the Local Arts for the expression of thoughts and ideas
• To promote and encourage Local Artists
• To promote art appreciation and keen observation of the local arts in communities
• Establish art as a trading concept and not merely a hobby
• Convergence of various artists to exchange ideas, expressions, and journeys
• To provide a global platform to local art and make it commercially viable
• Art content circulation at local, national & international level
• Organize symposiums, seminars, art exhibitions & art festivals on Art & Artists
• Art Awareness in schools, colleges, and communities
• To screen the films on art and artist at various local, national & international film festivals
• Organize conceptual training sessions for community artists to enhance their technical skills
• Explore Market Avenues for them such as Universities, Dilli Haat, Trade Fairs, Auto Expos, etc.
• Felicitation of local artists through Art & Artists Awards

Implications

There were more than thirty short video films produced based on various forms of arts such as classical, spiritual, folk, light and street music, sculpture, floral, tribal, pottery, handloom, handicrafts, calligraphy, embroidery arts and we also shot a film on contemporary dance. These films were screened at many film festivals in Delhi. The films are also available online for the global audience. The campaign was supported by Community Media Initiative (Sanshrey) and Qalamkaari Creative Calligraphy Trust.

Impact

After seeing a series of films on art and artists, many students of the Aseem Asha Foundation got an inspiration to opt for art as a career. The works of amateur artists from the communities have been displayed on various platforms. While working on the Devi project community, artists developed their own art forms which were a fusion of Jamini Roy, Islamic & Mandala art styles. Further, they visually documented works, contributions & stories of Sufi women of Delhi under the project Faqira which was admired by renowned journalist & Delhi historian late Khushwant Singh, writer & Delhi historian Late Sadia Dehlvi, etc. Students could also produce various Pictorial calligraphy designs on art papers, glassware, and cloth pieces. Artistic photographic documentation of renowned classical & contemporary singers and dances done by community photographers ( this doesn’t make any sense. Sounds like an incomplete sentence.). Famous art celebrities such as former Miss India and Actor Naina Balsawar & noted writer Atiya Zaidi bought the Devi paintings of community budding artists and supported their education. Japan Foundation & Jamia Millia Islamia gave a platform to local artists by organizing art exhibitions for showcasing their talent. 

D. Health Awareness Campaign (Swasth Sangharsh Abhiyan) Since 2012

Inception

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO). Health is very important for all of us and it is rightly said – Health is Wealth. Almost each and every individual has experienced some disease in one form or another. During an informal group discussion at Aseem Asha’s Center, a community girl, Yusra Fatima stated that her doll and mother were suffering from sustained fever. She was curious to know about it and found that it’s a deadly disease Malaria. Further, she with the help of other students like Bilal, Azhar, Anwar, Vikaas, Fizza, Sahil, Abid, Aley, Elia, Mehvish, Saniya brainstormed about the prevention of mosquito breeding and they came up with the lyrics of the song Machchhar Bhagaao Re" to spread the awareness about it in community.

Formation

Aseem Asha Foundations in association with Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan prepared a song on “Machchar Bhagaao Re” and supported local members of Sanshrey to make a short film on it. The film highlighted the local issues such as unmaintained roads, contamination of water, substandard garbage disposable and drainage system, infringement of land & heavy constructions that act as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. All these factors make the community susceptible to such deadly diseases.

In 2018 students of Sanshrey had trained many members of the Magic Bus India for Nestle Healthy Kid’s project in making films on health subjects. Power House, Lunch Box, Zarurat hai Saaf Shauchale Ki, Ek Pahar Swachh Vataran ke liye are among the other films produced during the series of workshops. Okhla community filmmakers Shakir and Shadab Khan along with the chief trainer and volunteers of Magic Bus shot these films in Bawana and Okhla communities. Awareness of diseases and symptoms is essential for screening and early detection. If people are aware of a disease and its symptoms, they are more likely to take action to prevent it. This was the main aim of making such films across the communities.

Aims & Objectives

Following are the objectives of this campaign

• To promote a healthy life and healthy behavior
• To take care of the health & well being of the community
• To organize health campaigns from time to time
• To have partnerships with medical institutions, schools, colleges, and other NGOs working in the field of Health.
• Liaison for neediest patients to get proper treatment using political and financial means
• Crowdfunding for the treatment of life-threatening diseases
• Research, Development & Advocacy
• Health Awareness and Sensitization
• Motivate community for their daily health habit promoting the use of local park
• Develop Hygienic Food and Healthy Habits
• Content Creation, Seminars & Symposiums

Implication

Under the health awareness campaign, Aseem Asha Foundation organized a ‘Malaria Awareness Drive’ for the people living in the urban slums of Okhla Village, New Delhi. They produced posters, hoardings, flyers, etc. The premiere of the film “Machar Bhagaao Re” was conducted with the association of local health center at Okhla Vihar Iqbal Faizi Nursing Home and Charitable Society and further rereleased at Jamia Middle School where it grabbed the attention of mainstream media. The audio-visual materials were distributed through DVDs and mobile phones in local areas such as Okhla Village, Nizamuddin Basti, Seelampur, and elsewhere. They are also available online for the global audience. Aseem Asha Foundation distributed mosquito repellent and All Outs to the slum’s areas of the communities during the season of dengue and malaria.

On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, the foundation organized rallies to promote the trend of healthy eating specifically, vegetables. We endorse the idea of boycotting synthetic vegetables which is a host of multiple diseases. Currently, as part of a permanent project, Nirvaan Aseem Asha is working extensively on the prevention of COVID 19 and supporting the neediest people financially, socially & emotionally.

Impact

More than 200 people were advantageous with our project during the outbreak of Dengue. People have got an inspiration to regularly change the water of cooler & tanks. The message of “cleanliness is next to godliness” was conveyed to the community members through this drive. After the workshop at Magic Bus India, students of Aseem Asha took the initiative to form Community Kitchen (Inaayat) in 2019 for providing nutritious food to community members. Inayat gives free food to 15-20 people on daily basis and teaches them to make nourishing recipes for a healthy life. As a result of this campaign, the foundation is now being recognized as a center for health support in the community. People having life-threatening conditions such as complications in pregnancy, brain tumor, Corona Disease, etc. approached us as they were deprived of proper health facilities locally. Foundation supports them using multiple ways such as referrals to hospitals, connecting with other political and social institutions, providing financial assistance, helping in the education of children, etc.

E. Tagore Peace Campaign (Tagore Shanti Abhiyaan) Since 2012

Inception

This campaign was started at Media Resource Center, Seelampur where Aseem Usman would regularly visit to teach students. The center was a platform for many young minds to express their thoughts, ideas, feelings & explore the opportunity for a successful life. Akbar Raza was among many such aspirants who hails from the lower middle class. Due to the large size of the family and being the eldest member of the house, his education future becomes bleak. He used to make intricate patterns & designs with needles (Aari), thread, beads, stones, pearls, etc. on ladies’ apparel such as suits, saris, Kurtis, dupattas & many more. That’s how he used to earn for the subsistence of his family. Foundation provided him full fee scholarship to support his secondary and higher education. Akbar used to volunteer in the foundation’s activities, events & festival celebrations. During Tagore Utsav, he was deeply inspired by the Art and Philosophy of Guru Rabindra Nath Tagore and thought to recast the monotony of his embroidery into an art form. Initially, he read more about Tagore and shared his inspiration with other students as well. Gradually he started taking training sessions with school and college students on making calligraphic designs of Tagore’s poems through embroidery during subsequent Tagore Utsav.

Formation

While working online Akbar found a sketch of Tagore & his sign, originally made by Satya Jit Ray. He beautifully replicated it through his embroidery and gifted the first piece to Art Connoisseur Lt. Laurence Bastit. A film “Akbar Ki Sui” was made by Sanshrey, an initiative of Aeem Asha on various problems that he faced in his inspirational journey of becoming a community artist from a community embroider. Later, The Tagore Peace Campaign was initiated by Akbar in which he presented a stitched painting of Tagore as a souvenir of peace. His art got exposure at a wide range of platforms such as Social Media (Facebook & YouTube) exhibition at MF Hussain Art Gallery, Jamia Millia Islamia, etc. Many noted art personalities such as Sukrita Paul, Shubha Mudgal, Ina Puri, Rana Safvi, Jatin Kochar cherished his work. They were touched to know about Akbar’s motivation, despite being from a Non-Bengali community & humble family he is working so passionately for the endowment of Tagore who is usually confined to the Bengali community and elite class only.

Further, it was heir to embroider Irfan of Okhla slum community hailing from Bihar. He determined to convey the message of Peace, Equality, and Harmony that Tagore promoted through his work.  Community Embroiders also made various pieces on different themes to be presented as mementos. The ‘Tagore Peace Campaign’ was designed to dedicate the work and life of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The campaign was specially designed for the non-Bengali communities who know little about Tagore and the variety of his work. The purpose of this campaign is to sensitize larger sections of society, from a local to a global range, to connect the world through various art forms.

Aims & Objectives

• To help the peace-building processes at the state, nation, and global level
• To empower people for their rights
• To promote Tagore as a symbol of peace beyond the boundaries of communalism, regionalism, casteism, etc.
• Promote Universalism, Integrity & Brotherhood
• Global exposure of local artists
• To give platforms for Unsung and Unheard Artist
• Making artists Self Reliant
• Exchange of thought and ideas within & across the artistic community
• Content Development, Research, and Advocacy
• To support the initiative for peace by fostering cooperation with key stakeholders, partners, non-governmental organizations, etc.

Implication

As part of the campaign, not only short documentaries but video talks were also produced under the project head. A stitch painting of Rabindranath Tagore made by community embroider was presented to such luminaries as writer Mahashweta Devi, Sarod player Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, journalist Khushwant Singh, actor Sharmila Tagore, film director Muzaffar Ali, dancer Astad Deboo, visual artist Prabodh Parikh, Film Maker Manoj Srivastava, Former Chief Executive of India Habitat Center Raj Liberian, Artists Arpana Kaur, Inder Salim, Rubina Karode & Nuzhat Qazmi. Calligraphers Mohammad Yaseen, Qamar Dagar & Inku Kumar, Fashion Designer Jatin Kochchar Art Curator Ina Puri, Historian Rana Safvi, Authors Bhaichand Patel & Sadia Dehlvi, Sahitya Akademi Award Winner writer Aruna Chakravarthy, TV Anchor Sadhna Srivastava, Poets Sukrita Paul Kumar & Indira Verma, Photographers Monica Dawar & Rohit Suri, Kathak Dancers Mahua Shankar, Nupur Shankar & Astha Dixit, Art Journalist Rana Siddiqui Zaman, Heritage Activist Vikram Jeet Singh Rooprai,, Cultural Activist Saif Mahmood, Singer Indira Naik. Padma Vibhushan Classical Dancer Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Former Executive of Prasar Bharti Jawhar Sircar, etc.

Tagore films were screened in Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University, and many schools of Delhi.  The campaign was supported by Community Media Initiative, Jamia Millia Islamia & National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. Many national and international online magazines & educational publications featured stories on this campaign. The Indian daily newspaper, The Hindu has published a Friday review about our work as well. Hence this campaign grabbed a lot of attention from print media and art personalities. Students also won a chance to visit various literary, cultural, and Arts festivals, the Jaipur Literature Festival was one of them.

Impact

There are four fundamental principles in Tagore’s educational philosophy; naturalism, humanism, internationalism, and idealism. Shantiniketan and Visva Bharathi are both based on these very principles. He insisted that education should be imparted in natural surroundings. He believed in giving children the freedom of expression. Being a part of the Tagore peace campaign, students learned many ideas, principles, concepts, philosophies of Tagore that developed their understandings. Therefore, they got freedom of conscience (Zehni Azaadi) and took independent decisions for their prosperous lives.

The major impact of this campaign is the emergence of biculturalism in Bengali and Non-Bengali communities. Bengali group of Chitranjan Park, New Delhi warmly welcomed Aseem Asha Foundation in their various events related to Dance, Music, Art, Food festivals & Cuisines, cultural festivals, learning of the Bengali language, etc. Aseem Asha Foundation was pleased to host its cultural performances and presence in its Tagore Utsav as well. This blend of cultures has parked the eagerness among the students of Aseem Asha to penetrate into Tagore’s work. They started studying Urdu translations of Tagore‘s poems and stories by juxtaposing them with the work of eminent poets like Allama Saadi Shirazi, Ghalib, Faiz, etc.  Community Beneficiaries along with the Aseem visited Shantiniketan and Tagor’s home Jorasanko in Kolkata twice to develop an applied understanding of Tagore’s work & ideas.

Padma Vibhushan Classical Dancer Dr. Sonal Mansingh also appreciated the work of community budding artists by making posts on Twitter. Going forward this campaign and the community artists got a lot of recognition from the media & Art circle of Delhi. This campaign also brought peace and prosperity to the community as many people came forward to support our initiative and programs of the foundation, consequently becoming the member of the foundation’s donor group Snehil.