On the 8th of August, Miles2Smile’s Sabaat conducted a stitching competition and course completion certificate distribution ceremony. The event attended by Chief Guest Dr. Ruha Shadab, Ledby Foundation; Aasif Mujtaba, Founder & Director, Miles2Smile Foundation; and Sabaat’s coordinators and students marked the confidence and determination of the women of Sabaat, the survivors of the Delhi riots 2020.
The program was flagged off with a soulful qirat by Shabnam, infusing a sense of spirituality and placidness in the hall. Following the qirat was the welcome ceremony for the chief guest.
Bouquets and hand-stitched embroidered wall hangings were presented, and words of gratitude were expressed for Dr. Ruha Shadab for attending the event. To carry the spirit further, the anchor of the show, Ms. Shaziya, briefs about Sabaat and the resilience of the women.
“When everything was going wrong during the Delhi riots, something good also happened, the birth of Sabaat. At Sabaat, women are taught not just sewing but also confidence,” she said, instilling motivation in the audience.
The next was the Nazam, which swept a wave of resilience in the minds of everyone present in the hall. The voices of Kausar, Bushrah, and Iqra singing, “Hum dekhenge… Lazim hai ki hum bhi dekhenge…” echoed through all the atrocities the women at Sabaat have faced.
Soon after, the atmosphere transformed from resilient to electric as excitement rippled through the room. Divided into Groups A, B, and C, the participants stepped forward to present their dresses, each ensemble reflecting a distinct aesthetic. Some captivated the audience with bold, flamboyant designs, while others drew admiration through thoughtfully chosen color palettes.
As each group stepped forward, the students spoke about the thought and effort behind their designs. They recalled long hours bent over fabric, mistakes that had to be painstakingly corrected late into the evening, and the quiet satisfaction of finally getting a seam just right.
“It was so difficult that I felt like giving up midway, but I didn’t lose courage and completed it. And today, these dresses are right in front of us,” said Group A.
While for Group B, the internal factor did not try to stop them, the outward force did: “The fabric was very difficult to find, and even the lace was hard to get. We faced many challenges along the way, but in the end, it brought us immense happiness.”
Meantime, if both internal and external forces were in favor of Group C, the fabric stitching became a peril.
“The fabric kept slipping while I was stitching, so it wouldn’t stay in place. It took so much time just to get the measurements right, and then I had to carefully attach the lace according to the measurements. It took a lot of hard work and patience,” they said.
The judges, meanwhile, moved between the displays with careful attention, examining stitches, cuts, and finishing, an exercise that grew increasingly difficult as the quality of work remained consistently strong.
Group C took the lead while B positioned second, and C secured the third position.
“Everyone’s work was truly wonderful, and choosing just one winner was incredibly difficult. The final decision came down to a very narrow margin because each participant had put in so much hard work and dedication. In the end, while one group may have been named the winner, the real winners were all of them,” said Aasif Mujtaba, Founder & Director, Miles2Smile.
“Don’t let someone else write your dreams for you. Write your own dreams, and dare to dream bigger,” said Ruha Shabad, founder of Ledby Foundation.
What further elevated the excitement was the certificate distribution ceremony marking the completion of the six-month stitching course. Alongside the certificates, stitching kits were also distributed, extending the impact of the program beyond the ceremony itself. The kits equipped the students with the tools they needed to continue practicing their craft and pursue their work independently.
About Miles2Smile: The Miles2Smile Foundation, established six 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. The foundation work for the survivors of mob lynching, communal violence, demolition, and hate crime, creating their lives better than their devastation.
About 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.
Other Glimpses of the Event
