It all started with an idea that was ignited four years ago, when Miles2Smile sowed its seed at Rekhta Stall, and now it has grown into a creative plant. This year yet again, at the luminous grounds of the Rekhta festival, at Bansera Park where artistic flair hovered in the air, creative ideation shaped into innovation, and the aroma of Urdu books blended with winter breezes, Miles2Smile and Sabaat set up their stall.
The 10th edition of Jashn-e-Rekhta, held on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of December, mingled with Urdu literature, prose and poetry, glamour, and luminaries, unfolding a gateway for Miles2Smile to help the marginalized section of the world.
Miles2Smile, through its initiative Sabaat, organized its stall lined with products stitched, crafted, painted, and designed mostly by the women survivors of the Delhi pogrom working at the Sabaat stitching center.
Through initiatives like the Rekhta stall, the organization seeks to support survivors of communal violence and empower marginalized women with dignity. Every rupee earned through these efforts flows directly back to the survivors, helping them rebuild their lives with strength and dignity.
“Our presence at Rekhta serves as a space where the artistic expressions of women rebuilding their lives after hate-driven violence can be seen, valued, and supported. The stall becomes an avenue to introduce visitors to Khattati, our flagship livelihood project, while also offering the beautifully crafted pieces made at the Sabaat Centre—each purchase directly strengthening the women behind the work.” said Aasif Mujtaba, Founder & Director, Miles2Smile.
“The purpose behind this stall is to help the marginalized people; the profit of these goods will go to the women survivors of communal violence,” he added.
From vibrant coffee mugs to exquisite tote bags, the stall offered everything in harmony with the spirit of Urdu—and each piece carried a purpose far deeper than its design.
A special corner of the stall was reserved for the artists who, under the organization’s banner, created live works of art across all three days of the festival. Mohd. Shahbaz and Sana Saifi—guided by Hafiz Mohd. Waseem, a master of Urdu and Arabic calligraphy with more than four decades of experience at the Delhi Urdu Academy—brought a distinct vibrance to the event. From crafting words in flowing Arabic script to painting intricate pieces on the spot, their artistry captivated visitors and left many mesmerized.
First Day: 5th December, 2025
A wave of excitement swept over our team, which reached the spot in the morning to set up the stall in a creative way. Each product, big or small, concrete or solid, was lined in a manner that showcased its features and designs.
Laughter, giggles, and happiness are the words that could best describe the first day at Rekhta. From placing tote bags to decorating handmade fridge magnets, our team garnished the stall with love and warmth.
It was a privilege to represent Sabaat at Rekhta this year yet again—not for profit, but to amplify the voices of the women we stand with and to honor their resilience. Many of the items on display were created by survivors who work with us, each piece reflecting their strength, artistry, and unyielding spirit,” said Samreen Jawed, Director, Sabaat.
The highlight of the day was our hand-painted fridge magnet, which mesmerized the customers.
“This is such a thoughtful product; this seems like a perfect product to gift loved ones,” said one of the customers.
Meanwhile, our stall of calligraphy buzzed with lovers of art and colors. Our talented artist drew each stroke with love and warmth, winning the hearts of the customers.
“Our first day motivated us to move further; the love we have received from our customers has paved our way for day two. We are thrilled to continue our work,” said Aasif Mujtaba.
Second Day: 6th December
With continued thrill and enthusiasm, the team of Miles2Smile and Sabaat dolled up the stall with colorful tote bags attached to its awning, mugs kept on the slab of the stall, calligraphy work at one corner, and artistically printed plates on another.
“We step into the second day with the same love, dedication, purpose, and excitement. We’re ready to welcome every visitor with warmth and to offer products crafted with care and affection,” said Aasif Mujtaba, Founder & Director, Miles2Smile.
From wall posters and paintings to calligraphy, lamps, badges, and art, every piece carried its own meaning—each crafted with a purpose that extended far beyond its form.
The highlight of the second day was our artistically printed plates, which were delicately designed to hang on the walls and decorate the homes.
“This is the perfect piece for the wall in my hall. Its elements are so beautiful and elegant—this artwork will make the entire space feel even more graceful,” said one customer.
Third Day: 7th December
The third and the last day of the Rekhta Foundation was filled with satisfaction and longing for another Rekhta festival. The stall was put together with an emotive sense with the aim to come again next year.
“It is the third day, the last day. It seems the other two days have slipped so quickly, but we are satisfied that we did our best, gave our best, and made our customers happy. The aim of the third day is the same. “To satisfy our customer,” said Aasif Mujtaba, founder & director of Miles2Smile.
The happiness of the customers amplified on the third day. The crowd snowballed, and excitement elevated.
Our products warped with love, and the token of our hard work reached the potential customers.
“I’m grateful that all three days ended with satisfied visitors. Their appreciation made our efforts worthwhile and has inspired us to return even stronger next year.” said Samreen Jawed, Director, Sabaat.
Empowering Women and Strengthening Futures Beyond Rekhta
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.
Experience Calligraphy Through Khattati
With Khattati, Miles2Smile seeks to fulfill two essential human desires: ‘Creation’ and ‘Compassion.’ The initiative was born from a deep creative yearning to turn artistic expression into something meaningful. Through designing, painting, and selling exquisite works of Arabic calligraphy, the program aims to raise funds for the foundation’s orphan and Hifz programs, directly benefiting underserved communities.
Khattati offers a welcoming and comfortable environment for all participants, whether seasoned artists or beginners, to refine their skills. Each student will be provided with all necessary tools and materials to create their own unique works of art.
About Miles2Smile: The Miles2Smile Foundation, established almost five years ago, is committed to making a meaningful difference in marginalized communities across India. From responding to the crisis during the pandemic to its continuous work in education and advocacy, the foundation remains devoted to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.
