Manzil's Got Talent

Shahbaaz: The Smiling Engine!

Shahbaaz

Shahbaaz was born in a Dargah and in a family of strong faith in Islam. Shahbaaz understood the actual meaning of Islam, which is to live in peace and spread peace.

Shahbaaz came to Manzil in 2008 when he was in the 9th standard. He wanted to learn guitar and a friend suggested Manzil to him. Ankit Mandal was his first teacher. He dedicatedly came for 2 years and was a very good student. He joined the initiative team, volunteered at every possible opportunity, and attended classes regularly. Later, he joined the Adobe Youth Voice Project, in which he learned filmmaking and photo-editing. The project and Manzil's approach was so beautiful that he decided to make it his lifelong career; maybe that is why, after his 12th standard graduation, he chose to pursue graphic designing.

After joining the Indian Institute of Computer Science (DICS), he realized that he did not want to be a regular student in his institute. He wanted to be the best graphic designer. He had always admired Manzil's approach to peer learning, so he decided to become a teacher of Photoshop. He then started volunteering at Manzil as a teacher. It has been 6 years since Shahbaaz started teaching Photoshop in Manzil, and many students have also picked up photo-editing as a career as a result. In 2010, the American Centre gave Manzil the opportunity to send students abroad for studies under the Community College Initiative Program (CCIP). Shahbaaz always wanted to go abroad, but one can only apply for the program after 12th graduation but before college graduation. Between 2012 to 2016, Shahbaaz applied 4 times. After every rejection, he felt more positive. He always said that it was an indication that he was not good enough, and that he had to improve on his skills. Every rejection made him a better person, a better graphic designer, and a better student. In 2016, he had a choice of dropping his graduation or going to the US, and he chose the US educational CCI program. He spent an academic year in the DuPage Community College in the US studying graphic designing. He not only studied and perfected his skills in the field, but also earned a position on the college’s permanent Wall of Fame. It shows that he is not only a good person and teacher, but also a very good student.

Shahbaaz on the 'Wall of Fame'

Shahbaaz is still a very calm and happy person. You will always find him smiling. One small class at Manzil led him to work with some of the most reputed companies in the world. Also, he is still giving back to society by being a regular teacher at Manzil and the Creative Head at Manzil Mystics. He is our pick for Manzil’s Got Talent this quarter. Stay in touch for more such amazing stories from Manzil!

His understanding of living life has helped him make people smile all the time (even though he cracks the worst jokes). His nature has helped him make countless friends.

Shahbaaz is the eldest son and the responsibility of earning money fell on his shoulders very early. He still kept himself very calm in this situation (and started making even worse jokes). In 2013, he joined Sun Flower Publication House as a senior graphic designer. From 10 AM to 5 PM, he used to go to Vasant Kunj for his job, and his evenings were dedicated to Manzil for Photoshop classes. Later, he got the opportunity to work with Hind Pocket Books Pvt. Ltd. and Full Circle bookstore as a senior graphic designer. Along with all this, he became a co-founder of Manzil Mystics, where he was working as the Creative Head. After returning from the US, he joined Penguin Publications (the world's leading publication house) and Full Circle as a senior graphic designer.

Written by Anurag, Co-Founder Manzil Mystics
Edited by Unnati, Volunteer Manzil