‘Art should be accessible to everyone and should be used for the betterment of society’.
– Rouble Nagi, Social Activist, An artist & Author
Rouble Nagi is a social worker, an artist and author; she is the Founder of RoubleNagi Art Foundation. Born in a small village in Jammu & Kashmir to Sikh parents and growing up as an army officer’s daughter in Military cantonments all over the country has influenced her work and love for the nation.
Rouble’s journey started over a decade ago with NGO Pratham where she conducted art camps for children. Slowly realizing the potential of art when used correctly, she started Rouble Nagi Art Foundation using art as a medium for change. Though Nagi has studied political science but started her career as an artist, Art is her passion and has studied Fine Arts from the Slade School Of Art, London. Rouble has made over 800 murals worldwide with numerous exhibits; you can see her work in most of the Taj Hotels in the country. She is the pioneer for public installations in Mumbai. In 2017 she was invited by Hon’ble President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee to exhibit her work at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum.
Rouble believes that nothing matters in life other than the lives of people you touch. The positive impact you create in someone’s life is success to me. When asked whether she feels she is a Leader Or a Follower, her answer was; ‘Neither’, I like to see it as working together and growing together. I am more of a teacher who stresses on a strong sense of ethics, intelligence and independence, stated Nagi.
Her strength is her unwavering faith in God and ability to accept her present state. Where there is love there is faith, and where there is faith there is no room for weakness. Rouble says that doing what makes you happy, should be your path. For her, social work isn’t a job, it’s natural just like breathing. She has never chartered a path, just did what made her happy and she excelled at it as her passion was her job.
Though every job has its own challenges, Rouble says that when you have to convince people that you are working for them without motive in itself is a tedious task. In her sessions, she addresses people in slums, talking about working towards the up gradation of the community, searching for happiness in life. There should be harmony in what one thinks, what one says, and what one does. Changing a negative mindset to a positive one is the most challenging aspect of his work.
Nagi encourages youngsters to always own their actions. She says, Be accountable for your actions and take responsibility for them. By being true to yourself you will always be at peace. Her organizational culture is based upon the principles of Nishkam Karma of the Gita. Personal accountability, closely tied with honesty and integrity, is a vital force in maintaining goodness in the world and in any organization. By following the path of Nishkam Karma Yoga you can help the society in resolving the tension between altruism and self-interest to pave the way for a more holistic and ethical society to live in.
