Full of joys and a bright smile, she is a 15-year-old Shakti, currently studying in 10th grade at Senior Secondary Government School, Chakkarpur, Haryana. Undeniably, her name perfectly resonates with her personality.
#HumansOfShakti
MUSHKIL HAI PAR NAMUMKIN NAHI Muskan, whose life journey with Sarvam Foundation started in 2019, dwells in the nearby urban slum of Sarvam Space in Gurgaon, where she and her family live their lives in tough living conditions.
Her father works as an autorickshaw driver and her mother is a housewife.
Life is hard as many auto driver bhaiyas struggle to make ends meet and also there is a lot of responsibility on the daughter of the home to do the cooking. cleaning, washing. She gets beaten up by an older brother too but her mother often covers it up by insisting that it is the way boys show love. The two elder brothers do love her, however, Sarvam has on many occasions explained to the parents that violence is never the way to show love. Muskan does share some pleasant moments with her parents and siblings though. And like every family anywhere, they too are facing their share of life's challenges.
SARVAM IS FORTUNATE TO BE HER LIFE'S SUPERPOWER
But these challenges neither stop Muskan from learning new things nor decrease the support she receives from her parents, to study, learn dance, and Yoga. She says she receives enough support from her friends at Sarvam too and she is always excited about coming for classical dance, Yoga, Spoken English, and Computer practices, at the Sarvam center, as she feels these skills are adding to her knowledge and confidence daily.
During our conversation with one of her friends Simran, it was revealed that she excels in the realm of mudras, and displays precision and elegance while using her hands during the classical and semi-classical dance rehearsals and performances. Even Muskan told us, how much she loves to choreograph the dance pieces.
Besides, she is always dedicated and aims to improve her conversation skills in the English language. and Computer learning.
Her daily routine is a testament to her dedication. Her day starts at around 6 AM when she quickly completes her morning routine and rushes to school so that she isn't late. After returning from school by 2:45 PM, she helps her mother with a few household chores. She gears herself to reach Sarvam Center by 4 PM, where she learns Hatha Yoga, meditation, Bharatanatyam & Kathak. She tells us that she and her family have witnessed positive changes in her personality concerning her confidence, self-esteem, body flexibility, and mental calmness. Her evenings after classes at Sarvam are mostly dedicated to supporting her mother, spending time with her family members, and completing her homework before bedtime.
Her smile narrates her story so strongly. Isn't it?
STRENGTH AND GROWTH We still remember the day at Leela Hotel, when Muskan burst out in tears when she was badly scared after her mother called up to ask why she was not back at home till then. It was quarter to 8, and the Shakti girls had just ended up with their dance and Yoga performance. "She remains devoted to her art and education, displaying persistence and consistency", says Mrs. Hemangi Bhatnagar who is lovely called Aai by all the Shaktis at Sarvam. While Muskan has not fallen in love with the taste of Sarvam Shakti Juice yet:D, she's convinced that daily intake of one glass of juice has changed her life for good.
GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN SHE USED TO FALL SICK VERY FREQUENTLY!!
But, behind the scenes, sometimes, Muskan playfully satisfies her junk cravings, during the events. She has been often caught by her dear Aai and Bina Didi, but they lovingly let these mischiefs slide because she is quite self-motivated to come back on her track. She fills her daily nutrition gap by eating bananas, drinking Shakti juice, and munching on wholesome snacks like Gud and Chana. At home, it's all about dal, rice, veggies, and roti. In her four years here, she's mastered the art of avoiding outside packaged junk food, but sometimes, she gives in to her cravings:D
"In a world full of lost hopes, Muskan stands out as an inspiring figure. She practices Bharatnatyam with joy, does yoga, and even boosts her English skills through virtual ETP classes. She's a brave learner, setting a positive example for all.