MUMBAI (Diya TV) — In a narrow lane in south Mumbai’s Colaba neighborhood, children sit on colorful mats inside a small learning center tucked between rows of bright shanties. Just steps away, washermen scrub and dry clothes in open concrete cubicles. Here, amid the noise and bustle of city life, art and education come together. And at the center of it all stands Rouble Nagi, the Mumbai-based teacher and artist who recently won the prestigious Global Teacher Prize, a $1 million honor recognizing exceptional educators worldwide.
Nagi, 45, founded the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation (RNAF) to bring free education to children in underserved communities. Over the years, her foundation has set up more than 800 learning centers across India in over 100 marginalized communities and villages. Many of these centers do not have traditional classrooms. Some operate in open spaces inside slums. Students sit on mats under painted walls filled with colorful murals. Teachers use art to explain math, science, and language skills.
“Learning can happen anywhere. You just have to make it interesting,” Nagi said.
Her ‘Misaal’ project, which means “an example,” transforms slum walls into open-air classrooms. Volunteers paint murals that teach children about science, hygiene, environmental awareness, and social responsibility. The artwork sparks curiosity. It also encourages positive behavior in the wider community.
Nagi’s journey began nearly three decades ago. A young boy once walked into her art workshop in Mumbai. She learned that he lived in a nearby slum and could not afford school. The encounter moved her deeply. She visited his neighborhood and offered to decorate the walls with murals. As she painted, children gathered around her.
“I asked them if they wanted to hear a story. They all said yes,” Nagi recalled.
That moment changed her life. She realized that children in poor communities wanted to learn. She saw that art could open the door to education.
Today, RNAF’s learning centers provide free lessons in basic math and language skills. The goal is simple. Help children enroll in formal schools or return after dropping out. Volunteers teach skill-based classes. Donations supply books, bags, and school materials. But the support goes beyond academics.
Many children come from difficult family backgrounds. Some face poverty, neglect, or instability at home. Teachers often serve as mentors and counselors. If a child misses a week of classes, a volunteer visits the family. Nagi also holds regular meetings with parents to keep them engaged in their child’s progress. She believes strong community trust ensures long-term success.
“When you work in areas like these, you have to build relationships with the entire community,” she said. “If we earn their trust, we can continue our good work.”
The foundation’s impact shows in its students. Many have completed school. Some have even gone on to college. One former student, Mayur, now runs his own art classes and a small printing business. On weekends, he volunteers with RNAF. He wants other children to receive the same opportunities he had.
Back in Colaba, seven-year-old Khushi attends classes at the center. She dreams of becoming a teacher. Her mother works as a domestic helper and supports the family alone. Like Khushi, many students come from low-income households. Yet they carry big dreams. Nagi’s schools help turn those dreams into achievable goals.
Earlier this month, Nagi received the Global Teacher Prize, launched by the Varkey Foundation in partnership with UNESCO. She was selected from 5,000 nominations across 139 countries. The award recognizes teachers who make exceptional contributions to the profession. For Nagi, it also validates decades of grassroots work in India’s urban slums and rural villages.
She plans to use the prize money to expand her foundation’s reach. Her next focus is Jammu and Kashmir, where she grew up. She hopes to build a skill-cum-learning center equipped with computers and vocational training tools.
Nagi believes education can break the cycle of poverty. She also believes creativity makes learning joyful and accessible. In the heart of Mumbai’s slums, her bright murals and open-air classrooms stand as proof. Through art, dedication, and community trust, one teacher has changed thousands of young lives — and she is just getting started.
