What were we doing when we were in school in grade 7 or 10? Nothing too significant to remember, right? (except if it concerned developing crushes, and talking puberty). Well, meet the Sister Duo– Khushi and Prisha Sonkia, who at such a young age is contributing to the society through their art and innovative ideas.

Here’s their checklist:

• Good in Academics
• Painting and Sketching
• Calligraphy
• Graffiti
• Published Book on Calligraphy
• Created Innovative ‘Deepest’ Dustbin out of waste
• Graphic Designing
• Preparation for NID
• Trained in Kathak Dance

Phewww…. I didn’t even know the meaning of half of the words back then in school.*embarrassed*

Below is the sneak-peek into our conversation with these young achievers.

Me:  What is your schedule for the day?

Khushi: I am in M.G.D Girls’ School in 10^th std. And she’s in 7^th, St. Xaviers. I come back from school, and then rush for my tuition, and then for NID preparation classes. I come back at 8 in the evening. Before starting with the NID classes, we were training in Kathak for three years. I want to pursue a career in art only.

Prisha: (excitedly) I also have almost the same routine except that I am learning Graphic Designing from MAAC.

Me: *with wide eyes* shocked, What? Graphic Designing in grade 7? Do they allow people of such young age?

Khushi and Prisha’s Father: They were reluctant at first, but we said that just take trial classes and if you think she can cope up then continue.

Prisha: I am the youngest student there. I have completed CorelDraw and now learning photoshop, illustrator, etc.

Me: Oh wow, that’s wonderful Prisha, so tell me about your book “Let’s Create,” which you published recently.

Prisha: We had taken up a class or two of calligraphy, but it was very regular and repetitive. So, we both discussed and decided that we will create themed fonts. This is our original work, which then got published.

Khushi: We didn’t know a thing about publishing. I talked to my teachers; they suggested I talk to the principal which I did. Call it fate; she informed me that people from Flying-Pen Publication were visiting the next day and that she would definitely show them our work. And, after two and three meetings, they published our book. I am grateful to my Principal Mrs. Suniti Sharma and Flying Pen for their support.

Me: That’s great, along with calligraphy we know that you both also do Graffiti and paintings. Tell us more about it

Khushi: During 2014 Diwali break, we were bored and decided to try our hand in Graffiti on our walls.

Prisha: (proudly) Mummy said if it had got spoiled, not to worry, they would get it whitewashed.

Khushi: We’ll show you the walls later. I am fond of painting and sketching. Apart from regular designs, I like depicting and highlighting social issues in my art like Save the Girl, Stop Drinking, etc. My poster was selected and printed on 2000 cards by Asthma Society.

I was stunned, for they were so vigilant of their surroundings. They said that they prepare posters well in advance and take them to the concerned authority for creating awareness about the relevant issue.

Prisha: We made two posters for Traffic week depicting the importance of following traffic rules. We got a call yesterday that they want to felicitate us for the same.

Me: Girls, that’s awesome. What’s more to dig of you two, for I know that you even created the ‘deepest’ dustbin?  He-he *chuckles*

Khushi: The Practice Guru Academy in Bani Park called us to create something from the waste materials under Swach Bharat Abhiyan ‘Banega Swach Bharat.’ We planned on making a dustbin, but we didn’t know what waste materials we would be provided with. After much discussion, we decided to fit a sensor in the dustbin that would make a sound when garbage is dumped.

Prisha: We went searching for the sensor, selected the one which would make a sound of a kind that something is dumped in a well, deep inside. So, the name ‘deepest’ dustbin.

Khushi: We made the dustbin out of newspaper and empty party poppers etc. Officials of JDA attending the event appreciated us. It was a proud moment for both of us.

Me: Indeed. How do you girls manage all of this, along with your formal studies, especially you Khushi, being in 10^th?

Khushi’s and Prisha’s father: They manage it very nicely. But, they have no pressure for getting 80+ or 90+. We support them in every way and are not finicky about percentages. If they get 60 and are satisfied, we are happy too.

Claps on that, sir!

We then went to their room to see their Graffiti art.

Cool, right?

They showed us some Kathak poses too.

FYI, Prisha aspires to become an Architect or an IAS.

It may appear that they’re climbing; they’re actually jumping. (Sanchit made them jump at least ten times before getting this).

Well, Good Luck Girls!

Whatever is that you wish to become, for the talent and foremost the support of the family you both have, no dream is unattainable.

While the ‘child’ me envied them, the ‘future mother’ me promised to support her children in all their endeavors. And, the ‘present’ me hugged the girls and waved goodbye.

Until Later!

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