Farhan Israili

For Ruby Khan, service is a way of life. Whether responding to natural disasters, helping families access government welfare schemes, counselling victims of domestic violence or walking thousands of kilometres across the country, she believes in working on the ground.

Over the past two decades, she has built a reputation as a human rights activist, educator, author, social worker, former Mrs Jaipur and award-winning car racer. Yet, when asked how she would like to be remembered, her answer is simple: "By the lives I have been able to touch."

Ruby believes empathy is meaningful only when translated into action. Whenever a crisis strikes Rajasthan, she tries to be among the first responders, providing immediate relief while helping affected families secure government assistance and welfare benefits.

Ruby Khan launching plantation drive

For nearly two decades, this philosophy has shaped her work.

Standing beside her throughout this journey has been her husband, Captain Mirza Beg, Rajasthan's first Muslim pilot and an active social worker. Ruby credits him with constantly encouraging her, and together they have organised medical camps, helped people obtain official documents, conducted career counselling sessions, distributed free rations to vulnerable families, and supported underprivileged girls at their weddings. Their initiatives have benefited thousands across Rajasthan.

Ruby believes one of the biggest challenges faced by marginalised communities is not merely poverty but lack of awareness. Many eligible families miss out on welfare schemes because they do not know how to access them. She has therefore devoted much of her work to connecting people with government programmes, healthcare and essential documentation.

Career guidance is another major focus. Together with Captain Beg, she counsels unemployed youth, introduces them to job opportunities and encourages skill-based entrepreneurship. Their aim is not just employment but self-reliance.

Ruby Khan among young children

A significant part of Ruby's work involves supporting women facing domestic violence and emotional abuse. Besides counselling, she connects them with legal assistance and encourages them to rebuild their confidence. She also assists men who claim they have been falsely implicated in legal disputes, insisting that justice should prevail over prejudice. Several NGOs collaborate with her in these efforts.

Believing that financial independence is the foundation of women's empowerment, Ruby trains women in mehendi art, banking awareness, digital marketing and other vocational skills, helping many started small businesses or secure employment. She has also organised cancer screening camps and health awareness programmes for women.

Social work is only one facet of Ruby's personality. Between 2010 and 2017, she competed in prestigious motorsport events, including Blaze de Rajasthan and Women on Wheels, winning several competitions and earning recognition as one of Rajasthan's three fastest women car racers.

For Ruby, motorsports symbolise the confidence women need to enter spaces traditionally dominated by men.

Ruby Khan with her team

Her commitment also extends to environmental conservation. Every summer she runs Jaipur's Parinda Campaign, placing water pots for birds during the scorching heat. She has distributed thousands of seed pencils to children, encouraging them to grow plants after using the pencils, and honours those who successfully nurture them. Every Teachers' Day, she also recognises educators for their contribution to society.

Perhaps the most remarkable chapter of Ruby's journey came in 2022 when she completed a nearly 4,000-kilometre foot march from Kanyakumari to Srinagar over about 150 days, covering 12 states and two Union Territories.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra, organised by the Congress and led by Rahul Gandhi, was, she says, never a political journey for her. It was an opportunity to understand India through its people. Walking through villages, towns and cities, she met farmers, labourers, women and young people whose stories deepened her understanding of the country.

Ruby Khan and her husband Capt Mirza Mohtasim Baigh

The march tested her endurance. Participants stayed in container accommodations mounted on trucks. She walked through intense heat, suffered blisters, required stitches on her lip and even fractured her hand, yet completed the journey with constant encouragement from Captain Mirza Mohtasim Baigh.

Ruby attributes much of her commitment to social service to the values instilled by her family, especially her father-in-law, Mirza Mukhtar Beg, a respected civil engineer who encouraged his children to serve society.

Public service runs through the family. Captain Beg's younger brother, Mirza Shariq Beg, contributed to the restoration of Jaipur's iconic Jal Mahal, while another brother, Mirza Saqib Beg, pursued scientific research.

Ruby Khan delivering food to underprivileged children

Ruby has also used writing to promote social harmony. Along with Professor K. L. Kamal, she co-authored Hindu Dharma aur Islam: Do Aankhen, Nai Roshni, which seeks to dispel religious misconceptions and promote mutual understanding. Released in 2010 by Vice President Hamid Ansari, the book is housed in the Vice President's Library and Aligarh Muslim University.

She also wrote Gyan Ke Bulbule, a poetry collection for children that introduces Indian culture, environmental awareness and moral values through simple language.

More Than a Beauty Queen

Ruby won the Mrs Jaipur title in 2004. She recalls that the loudest applause during the finale came from Captain Mirza Beg, who supported her throughout the competition.

Participating in a beauty pageant as a Muslim woman attracted criticism, but she viewed it as an expression of confidence and individuality rather than a quest for a crown.

Ruby Khan and Captain Mirza Beg continue to expand their social initiatives through training programmes, scholarship camps and awareness campaigns for youth, women and minority communities. They also hope to work with government agencies on preserving Jaipur's heritage while addressing the city's evolving social challenges.

ALSO READ: Fatima Sultana brought tigers back to forests of Rajasthan

From race tracks to relief camps, classrooms to counselling centres, and Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Ruby Khan's life has been defined by service. For her, every achievement ultimately leads to the same destination—serving people with compassion, dignity and commitment.