Tina Vachani, Co-Founder Of Routes2Roots, Promotes Cultural Exchange And Education Across Borders

Routes2Roots, an arts and culture NGO champions cultural education and has extended its influence across India and globally. “Routes2Roots stands for ‘way to our origins’. Our goal is to bring about peace and harmony on a global scale, and we think this can happen if they understand and accept different cultures. We began an art and cultural exchange in India and across the world and the outcomes were positive. We learned along the way that if art and culture can be taught in schools, the next generation will be more accepting and believe in a society that is inclusive,” says Co-Founder, Tina Vachani.

The journey to India

Tina’s personal story is quite unique—born and raised in Pakistan, she made India her home, and has since been instrumental in facilitating cultural exchange and education across borders. Belonging to a family with deep-rooted connection to creative arts inspired her passion for cultural education. Being the daughter of late JC Anand, celebrated icon of Pakistan’s film industry, she was exposed to the film industry and the arts fraternity. Having grown up in an environment like that, she imbibed creative arts as a part of her upbringing. “I learnt classical dance and vocals which further sowed the seed for art appreciation. Over the years, the passion only grew and when I got the opportunity in life to translate my passion into a meaningful objective, there was no looking back,” she shares.

At 14, Tina visited her grandparents in India when the 1971 war broke out and all communication links were snapped. She was compelled to leave her home and parents back in Pakistan and make Delhi her new home. A formative education in Karachi was followed by Bachelor’s Degree from Lady Shri Ram College, and a Master’s Degree in Philosophy from Delhi University. At 24, she married businessman Ravi Vachani and got busy raising her two sons. After her sons grew up and went abroad for studies, Tina launched founded Route2Roots in 2004 as a platform for promoting cultural exchange programs, helping artistes from SAARC nations to travel and perform. From facilitating Shahrukh Khan’s historic UK doctorate ceremony to late Rishi Kapoor’s visit to Russia, her efforts expanded beyond classical music to include popular music and cinema.

While her childhood years in Pakistan were filled with happy memories with friends who are still in contact, transitioning to India was a cultural revelation as she was oblivious of its diversity and vastness. “My life in India has been very fulfilling as I have been able to pursue my passion. I feel aligned to the culture and heritage, and feel proud to be an Indian. I admire the opportunities available here and work towards the cause I believe in. The world is one family and without culture our society is meaningless,” says Tina.

Bridging cultural borders

The first arts and culture NGO to be listed on the NSE’s Social Stock Exchange, Routes2Roots is dedicated to building cultural bridges between India and the world. Its initiatives span art, theatre, musical concerts, and festivals, fostering intercultural appreciation and understanding. In 2010, the organization launched the groundbreaking Exchange for Change program, a cultural initiative connecting students from India and Pakistan to promote peace through grassroots dialogue. Unlike short-term visits or homestays, this year-long, structured program engaged school children in activities such as letter exchanges, postcards, collages, and oral histories, culminating in an in-person exchange to deepen mutual understanding.

For over two decades, the NGO has been shaping the cultural landscape of the subcontinent. It has provided free cultural education in 16 performing arts disciplines to more than 20 million students across India, reaching 24,000 schools and colleges. Additionally, it actively promotes Indian culture through classical dance forms, with participants from over 64 countries learning Kathak, Bharatnatyam, and Odissi. These classes have sparked an interest in India’s rich cultural heritage, introducing students of diverse nationalities to the history, nuances, costumes, accessories, and legends associated with these art forms. “The most gratifying aspect is witnessing the profound impact on children. This initiative not only connects them with legendary artists and masters but also fosters an environment of artistic appreciation. Beyond their holistic growth, it helps address their mental anxieties and other related challenges,” she shares.

Promoting digital education

Routes2Roots has been a trailblazer in integrating art with education, telecommunications, and IT through real-time interactive classrooms. “When we launched the world’s largest digital cultural education program in 2016, digital classrooms were limited to projector-based lessons with no interaction. We revolutionised this by introducing two-way interactive digital classrooms with multi-camera setups, enabling real-time question-and-answer sessions,” she explains.

This unique virtual classroom was developed in-house, with custom software seamlessly integrated with hardware to create an immersive learning experience. With no restrictions on the number of participating schools, all students are encouraged to keep their cameras and microphones on, ensuring active engagement and collaboration.

One of their most remarkable achievements is the creation of Virsa, the world’s largest digital teaching program for performing arts, setting a milestone in cultural education. “Virsa emerged from the Exchange for Change program. While visiting schools across India, we noticed that Bollywood dominated the curriculum, while India’s rich cultural heritage was often overlooked and perceived as uninteresting by the youth. We wanted to change this—to preserve our fading traditions and instil pride among young generations for their heritage,” she explains.

Tina’s commitment goes beyond artistic promotion; she actively uplifts underprivileged communities and future generations through various initiatives, leaving a lasting impact on their lives. “Academics are essential, but they are not enough. The younger generation was losing touch with Indian culture, its ethos, and values. True happiness comes from staying connected to our roots. If our program can help children become more holistic, sensitive, and tolerant toward different cultures, we can aspire to build a more peaceful society and a harmonious world,” she concludes.

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