Rouble Nagi

Rouble Nagi is an internationally acclaimed Indian artist, social innovator, and transformative educator dedicated to empowering children in marginalized communities. Founder of the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation (RNAF) and Rouble Nagi Design Studio, she has created over 850 murals and sculptures and exhibited her work in more than 200 exhibitions worldwide. She is a member of the India Design Council (IDC) and a pioneer in city beautification initiatives in Mumbai. Her “Misaal Mumbai” project was India’s first slum transformation initiative, painting over 155,000 houses while improving sanitation, waterproofing, and conducting hygiene workshops. 

Through RNAF, Rouble has developed the “Misaal India” program, providing low-cost, art-based education to over a million children across more than 100 slums and villages. Her holistic approach blends literacy, numeracy, life skills, and vocational training, all integrated with creative projects that engage children and the wider community. Rouble’s innovative “Living Walls of Learning” transforms neighborhood walls into interactive murals that teach history, science, and social responsibility, while fostering community pride and participation. 

Rouble’s work has earned her numerous awards, including the Jijamata Award for Social Work & Art (2013), GR8 Award for Best Woman Artist (2013), MAP Noble Artist Award (2017), IFEFA Award for social and philanthropic work, and HELLO! Urja Award for empowerment. She was the first artist invited to exhibit at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum, New Delhi, with her work selected for the permanent collection by the President of India. 

Her teaching model addresses the profound challenges of India’s urban slums, including poverty, irregular attendance, inadequate infrastructure, and social barriers such as child labor and early marriage. By offering flexible schedules, vocational skills, and creative learning using recycled materials, she ensures children gain confidence, critical thinking, and academic success. Her programs have reduced dropout rates by over 50%, improved literacy and numeracy, and transformed community attitudes toward education. 

Rouble integrates global citizenship, sustainability, and climate education into her classrooms. Children learn environmental responsibility through art-based projects, neighborhood cleanups, and murals promoting hygiene and conservation. She actively prepares them for life in a multicultural world, instilling empathy, collaboration, and leadership skills. 

If awarded the Global Teacher Prize, Rouble plans to expand RNAF’s education centers, strengthen infrastructure, train local educators, and establish a Skilling Institute to provide vocational courses and digital literacy programs, empowering future generations of marginalized youth. Her vision demonstrates that education, combined with creativity and compassion, can transform lives, communities, and generations.