I agree when you say Indian society is very closed minded as far as women are concerned, I started my work with NGO Pratham some years back. I ran regular art classes for them in Balwadi’s and Patshala’s both. I feel one has to rough it out, in any field be it a Govt job, corporate job or working for a NGO. To start something is always very difficult and to make it a success is even more tasking. A woman working outdoors with men can sometimes get intimidating but I always say “A woman can always wear pants, but men can’t wear dresses”. Women in general are great at multi-tasking. My initial phase was a little difficult, but once I had my team set up, things began to run smoothly. Experience is very important while working with the under privileged, text book knowledge can sometimes fail on ground. I tell my volunteers that many of them would probably throw in the towel after a month’s work in the slum. Practical experience is very important and field work always helps in understanding the actual on ground scenario.

Well, as an artist I have always wanted to give back to the society in any way I could. A true artist is always inspired by his surroundings and life. Living in India, one cannot turn a blind eye to the situation the women and children of this country are facing. Illiteracy in this country is so high. I worked with Pratham seeing the literacy programs for children. I have designed a CSR project “Learn to Earn”, which I have designed and keeping art as subject to express. RNAF is basically there to make learning fun, student regularly skip school as they find studies boring, but with art we make the learning sessions fun. The art camps are conducted to give them a social platform to interact with people from different fields.

Children are all artists, they express freely without thinking of the outcome of the viewer’s reaction. Art is all about expression, and children love colors for them it’s more about having a good time and doing something that will help them connect with themselves. Some are more inclined towards art, but then the class is not about making them into Picasso’s. But it always astonishes me to see how well these children paint without formal training. They paint some of the best works. Art like singing, acting, and writing is a god’s gift all we do is refine it.

Indian women are extremely hardworking and home makers. Nowhere in the world will you see women working in a construction site, like you can see in India. They work in Farms, construction sites, Military services they can do hard laborious jobs like no one can. Indian men should respect their women, every woman is mother, sister or daughter to someone. Unfortunately in India, women are still considered lower than men and are given secondary treatment. As per studies India is the fourth most dangerous country in the world for women. Cases such as acid attacks, domestic violence, dowry, child marriage and rape have become very common over the years. Women empowerment is necessary and women rights in the country need to be stronger.

Education in India is still not up to the mark, you will find lack of incentives, absent teachers and very low standard to teaching. The mid-day meal however is a great initiative to get the children to attend school. Private schools however are doing far better than government schools. Art is again an incentive for the children to attend school. It is our responsibility to do something for these children, unless people come forward and offer to help illiteracy will not let us be the nation we dream to be. “Education is the key to success”.

This happened a year back! I was sitting with my friend and founder of Pratham, Madhav Chauwan for tea when he got a call from one of his students. After speaking to him he asked me if I remember Mayur one of the old students from my art camps from 2005. I recalled this boy, very talented and had a terrific hand. Madhav said he is studying fine arts at Raheja Art College and he asked me to tell you thank you for everything. I felt so happy, and hopefully will be sponsoring his first exhibition, I am so proud of him. An orphan from a slum, to a fine art student and an artist today.