Somaia Family Foundation.
Some legacies are preserved through monuments. Others live on through the lives they continue to touch.
In Mumbai, the launch of the Somaia Family Foundation marked the beginning of a new chapter in a family's enduring commitment to education, empowerment and social impact. Inspired by the values and vision of the late Zarna Somaia, the Foundation has been established with a singular purpose: to create opportunities that enable children to realise their fullest potential through conscious and transformative education.
The launch evening brought together educators, philanthropists, artists, business leaders and members of the creative community to celebrate a cause that sits at the heart of the Foundation's mission-the belief that every child deserves access not only to quality education, but also to the confidence, creativity and emotional intelligence needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
At the centre of this vision is educator Lina Ashar, founder of Dreamtime Learning and a pioneering advocate of conscious education. For decades, Ashar has championed learning models that move beyond traditional academics to nurture the whole child. Through the Somaia Family Foundation and the newly unveiled Somaia Dreamtime Conscious Education Fund, that philosophy now finds a larger platform for impact.
The Fund has been created to support educational initiatives, scholarships and learning opportunities that empower children from diverse backgrounds. Its objective is simple yet profound: to ensure that potential is not limited by circumstance.
A defining moment of the launch was the collaboration with internationally acclaimed artist Aigerim Bektayeva from Kazakhstan. Known for her deeply reflective and symbolic work, Aigerim's artistic philosophy centres around a powerful idea-that every child carries within them a spark of genius waiting to be nurtured.
Her connection with the Somaia Family Foundation emerged from a shared belief in the transformative power of education. Through a curated exhibition and silent auction of her artworks, Aigerim contributed to the Foundation's mission while offering guests a visual expression of hope, growth and human potential.
For Aigerim, the partnership was deeply personal.
She sees no distinction between art and education. Both, she believes, are vehicles for awakening possibility. Her work reflects the same conviction that drives the Foundation: when children are given encouragement, support and the freedom to imagine, extraordinary things become possible.
The launch also served as a tribute to Zarna Somaia, whose values continue to inspire the family's philanthropic journey. Throughout the evening, guests reflected on a philosophy she embodied-one that viewed education not merely as a pathway to success, but as a means of creating more compassionate, conscious and empowered individuals.
Prominent personalities including Jackie Shroff, Pooja Bedi, Rhea Chakraborty, Ayesha Jhulka and several distinguished members of Mumbai's social and business circles attended the event, lending their support to the Foundation's vision and mission.
Adding to the emotional resonance of the evening were performances by learners from the Dreamtime Learning community, demonstrating firsthand the transformative impact of conscious education. Their stories and performances served as a powerful reminder of why initiatives such as the Somaia Dreamtime Conscious Education Fund are so important.
What set the evening apart was its emphasis on purpose over celebration. Rather than looking back at achievements, the Foundation focused on the future-on the countless children whose lives could be transformed through access to meaningful educational opportunities.
As conversations flowed between guests, educators and supporters, one message remained clear: the future is shaped by the opportunities we create for the next generation.
The Somaia Family Foundation enters this journey with an ambitious vision. Through strategic partnerships, educational programmes, scholarships and community initiatives, it aims to build ecosystems where children can flourish academically, emotionally and creatively.
In doing so, the Foundation hopes to carry forward Zarna Somaia's legacy in the most meaningful way possible-not by preserving memories, but by creating opportunities.
Because the greatest legacy is not what we leave behind.
It is what we make possible for those who come after us.
The launch was supported by The Publicist Group, which led the PR and media strategy, Wizcraft as the event production partner, and Dreamtime Learning as the education partner, collectively bringing the Foundation's vision to life through an evening of purpose, reflection and impact.
