CSR Activities

Whistling Woods International (WWI), Asia’s premier Film, Communication and Creative Arts institute, was proud to have the Meher Roshani Foundation’s (MRF) 7th Annual Happiness Event celebrated at the WWI campus this weekend.

Every year the Meher Roshani Foundation organises this event as a Christmas and New Year celebration for 200 underprivileged Prayas children from slum pockets across Mumbai. It was a day-long event that featured a host of activities that invoked the spirit of the season, including games, dance, learning workshops, Christmas cake, lunch, snacks, magic show, movie, educational and other gifts from Santa, and much more.

The MRF’s Annual Happiness Event has been hosted at WWI since its inception, with Meghna Ghai Puri, President of WWI, providing her support and backing as a Goodwill Ambassador. The event is organised through the generous efforts of a core team of Sparkling Angel volunteers of MRF, duly supported by WWI team, and spearheaded by the meticulous efforts of Roshani Shenazz, the founder and Managing Worker of MRF. Roshani is also renowned as an eminent spiritual healing medium, social entrepreneur and an author.

“We believe that the right values and mind conditioning is important for every child. Each year we conduct our Annual Happiness Event at year end, not just to bring more joy and smiles, but also to teach them innovative aspects to live a value-based life irrespective of their limitations,” said Roshani Shenazz, following the event.

This year also saw MRF joining hands for a lovely Hanky Painting Competition for all 200 kids sponsored by Pidilite Fevicryl colours along with Stamp Foundation, an NGO founded and headed by actress and humanitarian, Tanisha Mukherjee. To highlight the importance of living in harmony with our planet, Stamp Foundation distributed individual herb plant pots to all of the children at the event, in addition to planting 26 fruit and flower tree saplings within the Green Campus of WWI.

“We at Stamp believe that environmental consciousness should penetrate all strata of society for us to make a permanent and positive impact on our planet. At the 7th Annual Happiness Event of Meher Roshani Foundation, it is our pleasure to join hands to spread this message to the underprivileged children with a planting drive,” said Tanisha Mukherjee. “In addition, as a special initiative, we will be gifting each child an herb to encourage them to live sustainably by learning how to grow edible herbs and vegetables at their home. We hope this small gesture makes a big impact on the children – the future of our planet,” she concluded.

Speaking about the event, Meghna Ghai Puri said, “Our continued association with the fantastic work being done by the Meher Roshani Foundation is a point of pride for everyone at WWI. There can be no higher cause than uplifting the youth of our nation, and we look forward to continuing our association for years to come. By imparting a green message at this year’s event, we hope we’ve taken a step towards building a better tomorrow for us all.”

As a thought leader on corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the media and entertainment domain, WWI has been at the forefront of a number of key movements and causes. These efforts have fostered an atmosphere of generosity and caring amongst the staff and students of WWI, and seen them contribute their time and expertise towards the betterment of the nation and the environment.

Whistling Woods International donated school uniforms to around 175 children at St. Catherine of Siena School and Orphanage, Mount Mary, Bandra West, Mumbai.
Meghna Ghai Puri, President, Whistling Woods along with her mother Mrs. Mukta Ghai distributed the uniforms to underprivileged children, encouraging them to receive formal education, follow their dreams and work hard to turn their passion into reality.

Students of WWI School of Performing Arts – Actors’ Studio performed a skit on dementia awareness for senior citizens which was followed by a performance by the students of WWI School of Performing Arts – Department of Music Production and Composition at Second Innings, Marol, Mumbai.

WWI organised workshops on photography and animation for around 90 NGO Kids from 5 NGOs  (Jeevan Aadhar Transformative Aftercare Services,  Salaam Baalak Trust, Dhai Akshar Educational Trust, World Vision India and Teach for India) followed by screening and refreshments. Two NGOs (World Vision India and Movement India) had put up stalls for selling their products. Special fun activities session was arranged for volunteers and members of Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI).

Whistling Woods International awarded the following NGO Kids with Subhash Ghai Vidya Daan scholarship on September 21,2019

Sanjay Kharwa (The Salaam Baalak Trust) – BSc in Filmmaking

Kartik Parmar (The Salaam Baalak Trust) – BSc in Filmmaking

Sagar Shivsharan (Dhai Akshar Educational Trust) – BSc in Filmmaking

Acting & Film making workshop was conducted for kids from the VIDYA, Dhai Akshar Educational Trust and Pyras Ek Koshish on August 31st, 2019. The workshop was conducted by two of our eminent faculty Ms. Nivedita Bhargava and Ms. Rabiya Nazki.

Acting & Filmmaking workshop was conducted for kids from Salaam Baalak Trust and Vision Rescue on August 25th, 2019. The workshop was conducted by two of our eminent faculty Ms. Nivedita Bhargava and Ms. Rabiya Nazki.

On July 18, 2019, the staff and faculty of WWI celebrated its Founders’ Day with kids of Prayas Ek Koshish (Gender Equality and Human Rights Organisation) at Meenatai Udyan, Jogeshwari. The Senior acting faculty, Ms. Nivedita Bhargava conducted a workshop for the kids followed by gifts distribution and refreshments.

WWI School of Animation conducted a stop-motion animation workshop for the children of the Dhai Akshar Educational Trust. They explored the techniques of character animation by animating the puppet characters, developing the idea, managing the team, animating frame by frame and manipulation by hand, to get the illusion of movement.

WWI Acting students conducted a workshop on acting with under privileged children and volunteers of the Movement India on May 22nd 2019.

WWI Acting students conducted a workshop on acting with under privileged children of Dhai Akshar Educational Trust on May 21st 2019.

WWI Acting students conducted a workshop on acting with under privileged children of Salaam Baalak Trust on May 20th 2019.

Bag-making workshop for underprivileged women from Meher Roshani Foundation, was conducted by WWI School of Fashion on April 5, 2019. In the workshop they learned making different variation of bags which are useful in our daily errands.

Tie & Dye Workshop for underprivileged women from the NGO- VIDYA Integrated Development for Youth and Adults, Mumbai, was conducted by WWI School of Fashion on March 2, 2019. We believe that women across India could be educated and empowered to meet their daily necessities by learning an art form as well as learning the art to commercialise the same. In the same spirit, these aspects were taught in the workshop.

The students from Whistling Woods International School of Design volunteered for an initiative conceived by Artist and Social Worker, Rouble Nagi, called ‘Misaal Mumbai’ on January 31, 2019 held at Reti Bunder, Mumbra. The students had the privilege to connect with the community and interact with various residents as well as people who made their living within the slum. They created engaging visuals that uplifted the surroundings and gave it a new life.

WWI hosted the 6th Annual New Year Party for the Kids and Staff of Meher Roshani Foundation, on January 19, 2019. Students of WWI conducted various art and craft workshops for the kids.

Whistling Woods International hosted the VIDYA Pomegranate Reading Wings Finale on December 14, 2018 in the campus. “Reading Hats 2018” was a culmination of a teachers’ capacity building program VIDYA, Mumbai, the event included book readings and enactments, and skits by our children, youth, and teachers.

Whistling Woods International in association with Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society Of India (Ardsi) Mumbai Chapter, hosted a session on Elderly Care by Mrs. Vidya Shenoy.

Whistling Woods International conducted a Donation Drive for Kerala flood relief in association with GOONJ

Whistling Woods International staff and students led and executed a cleanliness drive at Vasai Fort. WWI associated with Durgveer Pratishthan for this cleanliness drive.

Scholarship provided by Whistling Woods International (WWI) and Motion Picture Association (MPA) on September 29, 2018 was awarded to Ms. Jyoti More from Salaam Baalak Trust.

Whistling Woods International, awarded Mr. Sanjay Khade and Mr. Abhishek Gupta, students from NGO, VIDYA – Integrated Development for Youth and Adults, Mumbai with Subhash Ghai Vidya Daan Scholarship, on September 29, 2018.

Workshop was conducted for kids from various NGOs during Celebrate Cinema 2018 on September 28, 2018. The kids belonged to Salaam Baalak Trust, Vidya, Dhai Akshar and Aseema Charitable Trust. The workshops were conducted by:

Acting workshop- Sonali Bharadwaj

Painting workshop- Dnyaneshwar Jagdale

Dance workshop- Terence Lewis Academy’s Instructors

School of Music students performed for the Victoria Memorial School for the Blind on September 21, 2018. This was conducted on occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day 2018, in association with Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society Of India (Ardsi) Mumbai Chapter.

Masterclass was conducted on awareness regarding dementia & active ageing by Vidya Shenoy. Vidya Shenoy is the Secretary General of Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society of India and Honorary Secretary of its Mumbai Chapter.

An Eco-friendly Ganesha Idol Making Workshop for kids from Meher Roshani Foundation was conducted.

Stop motion animation workshop was conducted for kids of Dhai Akshar Educational Trust (a Mumbai based NGO)

WWI School of Music students performed at Café Arpan on September 4, 2018, at an event organized by Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) Mumbai Chapter.

Versova Beach Cleaning Drive in association with Afroz Shah was conducted in the months of August & September, 2018.

The Students from School of Music performed at Smriti Vishvam Dementia Daycare Centre, Dadar on 21st August 2018. The “Smriti Vishvam: Universe of Memory” is the only specialised Dementia Daycare centre in Mumbai where people affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia are given complementary therapies on a one-to-one basis.

Acting & Filmmaking Workshop was conducted for kids from Hamara Foundation and Aseema Charitable Trust on July 28, 2018.

Acting & Filmmaking Workshop was conducted for kids from Vidya and Salaam Baalak Trust on July 21, 2018.

Acting & Filmmaking Workshop was conducted for kids from Vidya and Salaam Baalak Trust on July 21, 2018.

Workshop for kids from a Mumbai based NGO – Sakhi was conducted on July 14, 2018. The aim of this event was to find the hidden talent in a child who comes from a less fortunate background and give a livelihood in the field of Media and Entertainment Industry. These workshops were conducted by two of our eminent faculty Nivedita Bhargava and Rabiya Nazki, covering the important elements of filmmaking like writing, acting and shooting a short film, based on skills set of each child.

Students of Whistling Woods International made a video clip on Tree Plantation for the Government of Maharashtra.

Whistling Woods International hosted Christmas Celebrations for kids from Mehere Roshani Foundation on December 27, 2017.

Fellowship of the Physically Handicapped (FPH) visited Whistling Woods International on February 22, 2017.

WWI hosted a Panel Discussion in association with Varija Life on February 17, 2017.