AA Foundation (Aseem Asha Foundation) is a non-governmental, non-commercial registered organization established in 2007 in New Delhi , India. It is engaged in teaching and promoting the innovative use of new media tools and technologies. A branch of AA Foundation, Flying Birds of India has played a prominent role in popularising and propagating the local issues of marginalised communities through the production and disseminating short documentary films and digital print designs on the local, state, national and international level. AA Foundation’s approach is holistic and involves bringing together art and cinema for social change.
AA Foundation’s Permanent Programmes
Training & Media Centres & Flying Birds India group
Training & Media Centres
Kalpana Chawla Media Resource Centre (KCMRC)
Kalpana Chawla Media Resource Centre (KCMRC) is an initiative of AA Foundation, New Delhi
Fun and Information Centre (FIC)
AA Foundation offers a Fun Information Centre (FIC) for children who have either not completed schooling or do not have access to information technology. The centre organises creative story-telling sessions, digital story-telling and creative writing workshops, street plays and visual communication workshops for children from grassroots communities and studying in government schools in Okhla Village.
Flying Birds (India
The group Flying Birds was informally established in early 2005 at AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia. Later that same year, childred affected by the Gujarat Riot joined it and developed print designs based on poetry written by the Sufi poets Khusrau and Rumi. In 2006, young women of New Delhi's urban joined the group. And through it, raised their voices and awareness in society about the tremendous challenges they face. They produced short documentary films on issues important to their peer group and community. These films address such real life issues affecting them as: girl-child discrimination, need for adequate health care and education, eve-teasing, domestic violence, and changing gender roles in society, amongst many others. Most recently, they produced short documentary films to expand awareness to conserving art and cultural heritage at various levels of society.
Key Objectives of the Organization
To render all possible help and facilities to the under-privileged by enabling them to realize their potential.
To open, found, establish, promote, set-up, maintain, assist, support and/or, help in setting up, running, and, or, maintaining education systems, academic, cultural and research centers, film, music, and cultural institutions, and other similar institutions and centers for promoting global oneness through creative art forms.
To generate employment opportunities in the rural and rural-urban, socially and economically marginalized areas by providing technological, social, and administrative solutions for sustainable deployment of ICTs via community multimedia centers, performing arts centers and information hubs in an innovative way.
To promote Sufi, Indian classical and semi-classical music.
To promote underprivileged children in various fields, such as performing arts, sports, information communication technology (ICT) and primarily in classical, Indian and Sufi Music with a view to enable them to earn their livelihood.
Providing students international exposure in order to showcase their talent and help become financially independent.
To partner with various national and international development agencies and donors, apart from private sector for innovative use of ICT to reduce poverty.
To work tirelessly on women and youth-based issues such as: gender-based violence, human trafficking, slavery, dowry, female foeticide, while ensuring livelihoods.
To undertake, organize, produce, promote, assist and/or, support music and heritage festivals, music programs, publications, documentaries and serials on television, feature films, and other such activities in further hence of the objectives of the foundation.
To evolve, create, design, produce, promote, release, and distributes scripts, publications, books, and audio books on interfaith icons of all religions whose lives have inspired generations.
To undertake, promote, support and/or assist in all activities aimed at projecting existing examples of unity in multi-ethnic and multi-faith in different parts of the world.
To open, found, create, establish, promote, set-up, maintain, assist, support and/or help in setting-up, running and/or maintaining a music and heritage institute, film, and communication arts institute with the collaboration of participating countries and state governments.
Extensive and innovative use of mass communication for learning and sharing knowledge.
Women's rights and empowerment.
Research and evaluation.
To preserve the Indian heritage, such as music, art, literature, culture, cuisine, couture, languages, dialects, spirituality, national integration and communal amity.
Livelihood solutions.
Gender equality.
Poverty alleviation.
Innovative use of ICT (information, communication and technology) tools for capacity building and vocational skills enhancement.
Fostering sustainable livelihoods for socially and economically-disadvantaged women and children.
Course curriculum development for the vocational training course based on ICT skills, performing arts skills, and others according to research based on target groups.
To organize, set-up, and facilitate workshops, conferences, lectures, seminars, and other similar activities in further hence of the objectives of the foundation.
To project health-based issues of women and children.
To undertake, support, and promote all activities aimed at extending and strengthening co-operation with professional national and regional organizations.
AA Foundation’s Trustees & Advisory Committee
Founder Director & Settler: Aseem Asha Usman, New Delhi
Founding Trustees (International): Asha Rani Usman, New Delhi; Sana Siddiqui, New Delhi; Mohd. Usman, New Delhi; Aman Usman, New Delhil; Cyril Massey, England; Rolston Massey, USA; Indira Massey, England; and Shanti P. Masih, Shahdara, Delhi
AA Foundation’s Advisory Committee (International): Jo Tacchi,
A Special Presentation
Note: The following presentation about Aseem ASHA Foundation and Flying Birds of India is by Gazal Malik, AJK Mass Communication Research Center, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
Click on images to enlarge.
Words of Support
I must congratulate you and your students for making such a beautiful video. I wish them more and more success and a bright future!
Rashmi Agarwal, Sufi Singer, India
Beethoven too did not let deafness come in the way of composing great music...well done!
Saba Dewan, senior journalist and film-maker commenting on the short film based on the life of Evelyn Glennie by Farheen Anwar Hussain, Flying Birds of India
Rashmi Agarwal, Sufi Singer, India
Beethoven too did not let deafness come in the way of composing great music...well done!
Saba Dewan, senior journalist and film-maker commenting on the short film based on the life of Evelyn Glennie by Farheen Anwar Hussain, Flying Birds of India
We would like you to know how touched we are by the short film made by Farheem Anwar Hussain who clearly is a bright, beautiful and wonderfully articulate young lady with a bright future ahead of her. Farheem's determination and work ethic clearly comes through the sensitive but yet direct approach of her short film which in itself will ensure to inspire so many. Congratulations!
Evelyn Glennie, eminent percussionist
Great video on the power of possibilities! Flying Birds is doing wonderful work in India. As you know, I am a classical musician and Evelyn has a great reputation. I am delighted you are encouraging so many young people. The Divine Being gave us all certain gifts which we are meant to share in the world. You are doing wonderful work and, as an artist, I totally understand your need to express yourself in this way.
Robert Johnson, classical musician, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Symphony, Ill, Chicago
Congratulations and keep up the good work.
Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Prime Minister of India on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations
I send you my prayers for the success of your very important initiative.
Rajiv Mehrotra, Managing Trustee, The Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT)
Rajiv Mehrotra, Managing Trustee, The Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT)
I am impressed with the very creditable work you do.
Dr. Reba Som, Regional Director, Rabindranath Tagore Centre, ICCR, Kolkata
Dr. Reba Som, Regional Director, Rabindranath Tagore Centre, ICCR, Kolkata
I wish all success for your organization.
Tanvir Mokammel, renowned film-maker, Bangladesh
Tanvir Mokammel, renowned film-maker, Bangladesh
I am so touched that I had tears in my eyes after watching the audio-visual clip made by your students.
Astad Deboo, eminent contemporary dancer, India
Astad Deboo, eminent contemporary dancer, India
I am really happy to hear about your great effort and my little role in it.
Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Laureate,Iran
Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Laureate,
God bless your work. The energizing of arts and crafts through Rumi is a very noble understanding.
Kabir Helminski, author and Sufi activist,USA
Kabir Helminski, author and Sufi activist,
I am so glad by the work you are doing.
Nafisa Ali Sodhi, former Miss India, film actress and social activist,
It is good to know that you and your students are involved in such valuable work that is much needed in the community.
Nandita Das, film actress, film director and social activist,
Sending my best for your work.
Sadia Dehelvi, media personality, activist, writer and columnist with Hindustan Times,
I am very glad that, like mine, your heart and mind too is open to any betterment.
Zila Khan, renowned Sufi singer,
I am really pleased to know about your initiatives. Heartiest congratulations.
Dr. Shyama Chona,
aseem e aziz khosh halam kardi va omidvaram ke az nazdik hamdigar ro bebinim.salamat bashi.
Masood Habibi, eminent Sufi musician,
You are doing wonderful work. Congratulations.
Dilip K. Basu, Founding Director,
The work you and your group is doing is very challenging. Art is like breathing that we cannot do without.
Rimli Bhattacharya, eminent author and expert on the life and literary work of Tagore
Your contribution to society is absolutely phenomenal, and the world should know about your work.
Jovan Roseboro, on behalf of American actress and UN's Youth Ambassador, Monique Coleman
It is great to hear about the work you are doing. I would be happy to come and see for myself.
Jocelyne Josiah, Adviser in Communication and Information (retired), UNESCO,
It is so encouraging to meet one committed to working with tribal artists. I really think your initiative with the women in trans Jamuna is remarkable and has a lot of potential.
Tara Douglas, British animator, Secretary, Adivasi Arts Trust,
Shyam Bengal, eminent f
Please keep on doing the good work you seem to be doing.
Prof. Udaya Narayana Singh, Director, Rabindra Bhavana,Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan
