21 year old Nitish Anand, also known as Shabnam Bewafa, is one of India’s Youngest Drag Queens. Drag is mainly a performance art. But for Nitish, it is also a way of showcasing his feminine side, towards which he has felt driven since a young age. In the morning, Nitish can be found working his regular corporate job but by evening, once the make up is done, the wig is on, Shabnam takes New Delhi with her moves. Nitish is a part of the LGBTQIA+ community in India as he is gay. He raises awareness for the rights of the community by organising events and volunteering with many LGBT support groups. Shabnam, Nitish’s Drag personna, compliments most of his volunteering acts and accompanies him for many events. So, the two things even while being different from eachother, have complimented each other’s purpose. Nitish’s role model is his mother, who he lost when he was very young. She was infact one of the first persons who identified his femininity and didn’t stop him from playing with her make up and clothes. He misses her and tries to imitate her personna and beauty when he transforms into Shabnam. Nitish sticks by the mantra: ‘If you are lost, then you can always be found because it is never too late to turn your life around’.

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