Shekinah, a young and talented singer from Dehradun, was inspired by her father’s music from a tender age. At 11 years old, she decided to audition for a reality show called “Voice India Kids” and was pleasantly surprised to make it through to the next rounds in New Delhi and Mumbai. She even made it to the cover of the Bombay Times while gaining recognition for her singing abilities. Recently, in 2019, Shekinah participated in “Superstar Singer” on Sony television and became the first contestant to win the Gold Medal. Her unique talent and captivating voice have gained her a loyal fan base and recognition in several reality shows.

Singing with a purpose:

During the lockdown, Shekinah’s father, Vikas Mukhiya, received a call from a friend requesting help for a pregnant woman who had lost her job due to the pandemic and was facing complications. Shekinah suggested using their music to raise funds for the woman’s medical expenses. They set up a small studio at home and went live on social media, asking viewers to donate if they enjoyed the music. Shekinah sang for hours and the donations poured in while totaling one lakh rupees over a few days. The funds arrived just in time for the woman’s emergency hospitalisation and she had a successful delivery. The experience reinforced Shekinah’s belief in the transformative power of kindness and music.

Putting humanity first:

During the lockdown, Shekinah discovered the joy of using her music to serve humanity. Her live performances on social media became a means to raise funds for charitable causes. She collaborated with the Indian Christian Youth Foundation to distribute blankets to the homeless, taught music classes at an orphanage and raised money for a cancer patient. She also conducted campaigns for ration distribution and helped a family affected by floods. Shekinah maintained transparency by posting vlogs to show how the funds were used.

Achievements and dreams ahead:

Shekinah, the Brand Ambassador of Uttarakhand’s “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign, won the Young Turk Award in 2020 and was featured in a book for her inspiring fundraising performance. She debuted in a movie with Shaan and sang for Himesh Reshammiya. She dreams of spreading joy through her music and travelling the world. She believes in living life to the fullest and is eagerly anticipating her board exams. Best wishes to her on her academics and musical journey!