Resilience, pride, talent, and happiness are the words that can be best used for the Sabaat second anniversary that took place on the 25th of May, 2025, at Miles2Smile’s Sabaat stitching center in Shiv Vihar, Northeast Delhi.
Launched two years ago by Miles2Smile, Sabaat has emerged as a strong support system for women in North-East Delhi. Created to assist women survivors of the Shiv Vihar pogrom and uplift other marginalized women, Sabaat has acted as a platform for resilience and empowerment.
The event started with the inspirational speech of the Guest of Honor, Afreen Fatima, National General Secretary, Fraternity. Giving encouragement to the 50 resilient women of Sabaat, she said, “Don’t ever compromise on your dignity. Hold on tightly to your dignity and identity—never let them go. I salute your spirit and your courage.”
“Refine your skills so well, make them so exceptional, that your work speaks louder than you do. A woman has no reason to fear anyone—keep working fearlessly and confidently.” Fatima added.
A resounding round of applause filled the room following her speech. Taking the stage next was our other Guest of Honor, Afreen Fatima Ali, Founder, Fatima Charitable Trust. She extended her heartfelt congratulations to all the participants and emphasized that they are not merely working alongside one another—they are a vital support system for each other.
The event was followed by a deeply emotional speech by Aasif Mujtaba, Founder & Director, Miles2Smile. Recalling the early days of Sabaat, he shared heartfelt memories, saying, “When I came here two years ago, the most troubled community was the women. They had no space, no place to share their struggles. So, Sabaat is not just a stitching center — it’s a family, a space for all the women to grow together and support each other.”
Following the heartfelt words, the highlight of the event, the much-awaited stitching competition took place. The women of the Sabaat Center, divided into various teams, enthusiastically participated in the challenge. From gowns and lehengas to salwar suits, each piece was skillfully designed and stitched entirely by the participants. One by one, the teams showcased their creations with faces glowing with pride and a deep sense of accomplishment.
The most challenging aspect of the competition was selecting a winner, as every creation was a masterpiece in its own right. After careful deliberation, Group A—comprising Sangeeta, Muskaan, Azra, and Sayeba—emerged as the winners of the competition.
“We are very happy that our hard work has paid off. We worked day and night as one. This victory is not just ours, it belongs to all of us because we all worked like a family and gave our best.” said Group A after winning the competition.
Having witnessed the spirit, hard work, and resilience of the participant, Farheena Ansari, instructor at the Sabaat Center, said, “Everyone put in a tremendous amount of effort—working tirelessly around the clock without even looking at the time. Each person gave their absolute best, and the quality of work from everyone was truly outstanding.
The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony and memento distribution ceremony to participants, winners, and Guest of Honors, celebrating both the successful completion of the six-month stitching course and the winners of the competition. A wave of joy and fulfillment swept across all the learners and award recipients.
Empowering Women, Building Futures through Sabaat
The ‘Sabaat’ initiative is one of Miles2Smile’s efforts to empower women, especially those who have endured hardship, including survivors of the Northeast Delhi Pogrom 2020 and other underprivileged women.
Through the Stitching Centre, Miles2Smile offers a variety of courses designed to meet the needs of underprivileged women. These courses provide vocational skills such as stitching, tailoring, nail art, and more. Its goal is to help these women stay aligned with society by equipping them with essential skills. The organisation also conducts training workshops to ensure they learn with ease.
In addition, the organisation offers training in entrepreneurship development, personality development, small business accounting, financial literacy, soft skills, and health & hygiene. Women who complete the training at the center will have the opportunity to contribute to various projects within the organization, such as producing garments for sale or assisting in the production of goods for other NGOs or businesses.
About Miles2Smile: Established nearly five years ago, the Miles2Smile Foundation is dedicated to making a positive impact on marginalized communities in India. From the crisis response during the pandemic to ongoing efforts in education and advocacy, the foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
Other Glimpses of the event
