Rakesh Chaurasia/Moradabad

The Yoga and naturopathy centre in Ganga Nagar neighbourhood of the town in Uttar Pradesh offers more than a cure for disease to the visitors; it brings them face to face with live examples of an inclusive India and compassion for those who don’t have the means to move ahead in life.

The centre run by two bosom friends Dr. Rupa Ghosh and Dr Mehjabeen Parveen offers free classes on Yoga to the children of underprivileged sections of society.

More importantly, people are drawn to the centre where two friends from different faiths live together and also pray in the same house their own way.

Dr Rupa Ghosh and Dr Mehjabeen Parveen have been together as best friends for three decades. They met at the National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp as both were its cadets.

The underprivileged children at Dr. Rupa Ghosh and Dr Mehjabeen Parveen's yoga centre

As the friendship blossomed into a strong bond both of them joined the same college in Gorakhpur for learning Yoga and naturopathy.

Both of them started their practice as a joint venture. Initially, they had to face the snide remarks and questioning glances of the people. However, things settled down as people understood their relationship and also appreciated their work as naturopaths.

The people know the centre as a place where Mahjabeen Rupa celebrate festivals together and also follow their respective faiths.

After the two started working for the education of underprivileged children, people have come forward to offer support and help. Rupa and Mehzabeen had launched a programme to fund and support the children from poor sections in their education.

Today they are supporting 60 children and their initiative has become a movement.