I created Art for Baby as a 17-year-old passionate about child development and art, aiming to bridge these two worlds to make a tangible difference. Art for Baby is India’s first medically vetted art book designed to aid cognitive development in infants.
Our primary objective was to educate Aanganwadi and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers
I created Art for Baby as a 17-year-old passionate about child development and art, aiming to bridge these two worlds to make a tangible difference. Art for Baby is India’s first medically vetted art book designed for infants aged 0-3 months. Collaborating with 15 leading Indian contemporary artists, who generously contributed their works gratis, I curated a collection of high-contrast visuals that stimulate cognitive growth, enhance visual tracking, and support brain development during the critical early months of life. Auctioned by Christie’s, the project raised Rs. 48 Lakh 58 Thousand, with proceeds directed equally to UNICEF India for children’s initiatives and OUTSET UK to support vulnerable children.
The project has been endorsed by renowned experts, including Dr. Vikram Patel from Harvard Medical School, Dr. Vicky Armstrong from the University of Dundee, and Dr. Ashwin Sainani from P.D. Hinduja Hospital Mumbai, validating its scientific foundation and potential for meaningful impact. Seeing Art for Baby come to life and make a difference in children’s lives has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.
As a nominee for the Baal Puruskar, the highest civilian award in India for individuals under 18 for their contributions to art and culture, I see this project as part of my broader mission to combine cultural heritage with science-backed initiatives to support child development. My experiences, such as interning with Dr. Vikram Patel to educate Aanganwadi and ASHA workers about the critical first 1,000 days of life and earning certification as a UN Young Leader, have shaped my commitment to creating sustainable, impactful programs for children.
Art for Baby is only the beginning of what I hope will be a much larger journey of using art and innovation to support early childhood development. I look forward to expanding its reach, integrating it into more communities, and continuing to explore the transformative power of art in shaping the future, one baby at a time.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Vikram Patel, the Paul Farmer Professor and Chair of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School citeturn0search0, I contributed to a project emphasizing the critical importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life—a period recognized by the World Health Organization as vital for cognitive, emotional, and physical development.
Our primary objective was to educate Aanganwadi and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers on best practices in infant care during this formative period. Initially, we encountered resistance from Aanganwadi workers, who were hesitant to adopt new methodologies. To address this challenge, we collaborated with ASHA workers, filming them as they demonstrated effective caregiving practices, such as attentive interaction and responsive caregiving. These videos served as relatable training tools, gradually building trust and encouraging Aanganwadi workers to embrace the new techniques.
A key focus of our training was the importance of responding promptly to an infant’s cries and calls for attention. We emphasized that neglecting these signals could lead to long-term emotional insecurity and instability. By illustrating how consistent, responsive care fosters healthier emotional development, we aimed to instill practices that would have a lasting positive impact on the children in these communities.
This internship was a profound learning experience, highlighting the intersection of psychology, culture, and community-level intervention. It taught me the importance of empathy and adaptability in overcoming resistance and effecting meaningful change. Working with Sangath reinforced my commitment to improving child development outcomes in under-resourced areas and inspired me to continue bridging research with practical applications to create sustainable, scalable solutions for vulnerable communities.
