The Sabaat stitching center in Northeast Delhi transformed into a universe of hope yet again on 16 November as the red ribbon fluttered open, happiness flourished in, and everyone present witnessed the inauguration of the Savitribai Phule center of learning, a computer training center for the women of Sabaat and children of Northeast Delhi scattered in the nooks and corners of the area, which once bore the burns of the barbaric 2020 Delhi riots.
Savitribai Phule was a visionary reformer and India’s first woman educator, who, alongside her husband Jyotirao Phule, waged an unyielding battle against caste oppression and gender subjugation in the 19th century. By founding the first school for girls in Pune in 1848, she ignited a transformative movement for education, dignity, and equality, reshaping India’s social conscience forever.
With the snip of the ribbon by the chief guest Sanghapali Aruna, founder of Project Mukti, and guest of honor Priyadarshani, an independent journalist, inquisitiveness swept over everyone to get the cognizance of the center. Applauses rose, cameras clicked, smiles earned, and “marvelous” was the word that was tweaked out of the lips of people present by getting the first glance of the center.
The center is fully equipped with modern computer systems, internet access, and trained instructors, offering free digital literacy and essential computer training to madrassa students. This initiative seeks to create opportunities for academic growth, vocational training, and future employability, complementing their traditional education with the skills necessary to thrive in today’s world.
The primary beneficiaries of this center are students of Northeast Delhi and women of Sabaat, many of whom suffered immense hardships after the spine-chilling 2020 Northeast Delhi riots unfolded, killing at least 53 people and leaving many women as widows. While our Sabaat learning center and the children of Northeast Delhi receive vocational and elementary training, they are rarely equipped to impart technical knowledge. With this initiative, Shaagird Foundation aims to bridge that gap, enabling them to keep pace with their peers in mainstream education and the job market without losing touch with their cultural and educational roots.
The program commenced with a recitation from the Qur’an by our Sabaat woman Zaina, establishing a spiritual ambiance for the event. Following the recitation, a felicitation ceremony was held in which the chief guest and guests of honor were presented with shawls and mementos as a token of appreciation.
This was followed by remarks from Aasif Mujtaba, Founder & Director, Shaagird Foundation who recalled the early days of Sabaat. “Five years ago, when I came here, this place was the epicenter of violence. There was a deep sense of despair. That’s when we began our relief work. In these five years, we have witnessed many things; we saw oppression up close. But whenever there is injustice, a morning always follows; if there is darkness, there will surely be light. We simply have to refuse to be afraid,” Mujtaba said.
“Rebuilding someone’s burnt house is not a relief. Rebuilding someone’s destroyed shop is not a relief. Real relief is making that person capable enough to fight their own battles,” he added.
“This is not just a computer center. It is courage; it is determination. It is the strength to stand and fight. It is a new dawn. Change will come from here,” Mujatab said.
Following this, Chief Guest Sanghapali Aruna took the stage, and her words bloomed the motivation of everyone present in the room.
“Women are always seen through the same lens. What will she really do? She has studied; now she should just get married, and beyond that there’s nothing for her. But can we become something more? Absolutely yes. We have to keep trying, always,” Aruna said.
“Never abandon your dreams. If not today, then tomorrow, something will come out of them. Success will find its way,” she added.
After a short while, our guest of honor, Priyadarshani, an independent journalist, took the stage, and the motivation snowballed as she shed light on her journey as a writer and a journalist. “I was involved in relief work, and I visited this place many times with them. Since then, I have been working on issues of ongoing communal violence. Through my words, I try to convey resilience to people. It’s very important to reach people with the right message and to work on peace-building,” Priyadarshani said.
“You all can be involved in this. At Sabaat, you’re not just coming for a healing space; you’re growing yourselves as spokespersons. Keep developing your abilities, your capacity. You shouldn’t waste the power you carry within you,” she added.
At Shaagird Foundation, we are committed to supporting people in every possible way and making the most of every opportunity to extend our help to those in need. With the same dedication, we not only organized the inauguration of the computer learning center but also distributed free, thoughtfully curated menstrual kits—Taharat kits containing all the essential items needed for maintaining menstrual health and hygiene.
The learning center concluded on a positive and fulfilling note, inspiring us to organize more such initiatives in the future to help with essential aspects of technical learning and health that are often overlooked.
About Shaagird Foundation: At Shaagird Foundation, we fight for a world where education isn’t a privilege but a birthright. We act as changemakers, paving the way for marginalized children in India, removing the barriers that exclude them from classrooms and opportunity.
We believe every child holds the potential to create a meaningful change in society, a potential that burgeons with the power of knowledge. Our mission is to rekindle that spark within, empowering children impacted by dehumanization acts, communal violence, and those from underprivileged communities. We work tirelessly to transform the distant dream of quality education into a vibrant reality.
By providing access to education, we empower these young minds to become the torchbearers of their own lives and the future leaders of our nation. We opine that together, we can build a more inclusive, equitable society, one bright mind at a time.
Other Glimpses of the Event
