Year: 2022

However big a fame and popularity one attains, he or she should not ever forget the roots of humanity. Paulson Thomas is one such personality who has achieved a lot at a very young age yet understands and values the *struggles* one has to go through to reach those heights. His gesture of constantly wanting to help needy ones and celebrate happy times with them is quite commendable.

Celebrating his birthday with the children of Smile Foundation was something Paulson wanted to do for a long time. It was not his first time though. It was his mothers teaching to him that one should always help the needy if he is capable of doing it and there should not be a stop to it ever. Isn’t it a wonderful thought? Paulson always believed in charity and has done a lot of donations and social service in such organizations before. It was amazing to see how he interacted and tried to keep all the beautiful children from Smile Foundation confortable and well attended to. He was with them and for them all the time. With this event he intends to support the education of this amazing kids.

Hailing from a non-metropolitan city of Kerala, Paulson faced a lot of difficulties to sustain his passion for dance and entertainment. But his never give up attitude assured his progress and eventually he got his break with Dance India Dance Season 1. Immediately after that Remo D’souza cast him in the movie ‘F. A. L. T. U’ . He was also a popular face in the show ‘Dance ke Superstars’ and acted in India’s first 3D dancing movie ABCD (Any Body Can Dance). Paulson became a face to be recognized with his witty and funny performances in both. No wonder he absolutely adores Remo Sir. “If there is anybody after my parents whobhas supported and encouraged me always, especially in Mumbai is Remo Sir”, says Paulson. And why not. Being an amazing down to earth person, there is no wonder in Paulson attributing his achievements to his idol.

When asked about his views on Remo Dsouza’s upcoming movie ‘Race 3’, he just has words of praises to say. He wishes the best of success to his idol as he respects the hard work Remo Sir puts behind all his projects. He wishes to meet him soon and seek his blessings for his future ventures.

And the best is yet to come. This celebration also revealed the fact that he and his team will soon enlighten us with a Music Video and the launch of his very own Production House (The dates and more information is yet to be given out). The event was smooth and Paulson ensured that none of the children from Smile foundation left without a happy face and a gift to remember him.

The event came to an end with the best of dance performances from the children, his team and Paulson himself. We all wish him the best of luck for his new progress and launches. Eagarly waiting!

‘Delhi Dreams’ depicts stories of ambition and aspiration of five underprivileged children

Source: https://gulfnews.com/leisure/movies/news/film-by-delhi-slum-children-goes-to-cannes-1.2218671

New Delhi: It is the most unlikely film crew — 14 underprivileged children from slums across New Delhi — who defied the odds to shoot a documentary showcasing their lives and aspirations. And on Wednesday, their efforts bore fruit. Their film, ‘Delhi Dreams’, was screened at the British Pavilion of the 71st Cannes Film Festival.

The 14 “dreamers” are students between 15 and 18 years of age, studying at Nai Disha, a school run by Smile Foundation, an NGO working for youth empowerment through education. They were chosen to work as “directors” during a 10-day workshop organised by the NGO in collaboration with a UK-based charity, Films Without Borders (FWB), which works to “overcome barriers” through cinema.

After the selection process, the students were trained by FWB’s Jill Samuels and cinematographer Richard Blanshard in November 2017. And the final product was ready in a month.

Films Without Borders presented a Swarovski Film in association with Smile Foundation at this years Cannes film festival and the screening was a huge success.

SIFFCY would like to congratulate all the young participants in the film and thank our partner Nai Disha school who kindly allowed us access to their fantastic young people who in turn created a wonderful film. We would like to thank both Jill Samuels Founder & Chair of Films Without Borders & Mentor , Cameraman Richard Blanshard together with the teachers & volunteers of the oganisation.

A special thank to Nadja Swarovski whose support for Films Without Borders made what was a dream for many young people become a reality.

We, are so proud to have seen this film screened at the Cannes Film Festival and we hope to be able to screen it at many more film festivals around the world.The film was a huge success in Cannes and we would like to thank all at Films Without Borders who not only came over and mentored the participants but were so taken by all the students especially with Arbaz , a young child from the workshop who through his film takes us on his quest to become a photographer.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) may be sitting on the edge of the bottom half of the table, much to the disappointment of the fans, but their spirit to help build a better society is as strong as ever. Recently, the team has taken a significant step in contributing towards better health standards for the underprivileged in the state of West Bengal. KKR has established ties with the Smile Foundation and the Meer Foundation for this cause.

One of the constant sides in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception back in 2008, the KKR side has enjoyed immense support from their fans, especially the ones in their home state. In a heartfelt gesture towards the betterment of the needy in the state, this tie-up will promote and ensure the goodness of health amongst the poor and the underprivileged. In a recently released media release, the news of the tie-up was announced to the public.

Source: https://www.crictracker.com/kkr-forges-ties-health-foundations-help-underprivileged-west-bengal/

‘We wanted to tell children that art has no right or wrong, it is about how you perceive the world around you’

Mumbai: As one walks into the sunlit classroom of Maulana Azad school in Dharavi on Wednesday, one feels it is no different than walking down the streets of the locality itself. The students have painted the walls to exhibit elements of their community and neighbourhood in the way they perceive them.

Ranging from their favourite mithaai-waalas (sweet vendors) to the grumpy old man living across the street, the room can be called a mini-Dharavi of sorts. Translating their observations of people, inhabitants, shopkeepers as well as the nature surrounding them, some 30 students have expressed themselves through the subjective nature of art, as they let their imagination run wild.

This colourful change is the outcome of The Pomegranate Dharavi Project, a three-month programme in collaboration with Smile Foundation, an art and education workshop aiming to sensitise students to the environment that they are living in. The exhibits are divided into two modules, the first being ‘My voice, my community’ which comprises an entire wall painted by the students depicting their interpretation of their community and its people.

One such painting depicts a man selling flowers, with hair similar to the shape of a flower. While another shows an old man, whose head is bigger than his body, with emphasis on his facial expressions as the children saw him on their way to school everyday. The wall also comprises self portraits of these 20 children, with the aim to make them understand themselves, who they are and where they came from, after which they moved on to their community.

Pointing at the painting of a girl sporting a spectacles and wearing a frock, Naaz Sheikh, a Class VII student giggles and says, “This is me. We did not only draw people around us, but ourselves, too. That was the tough part, actually.” She added that it took the children around two hours to complete the wall.

The corridor of the room, took on the looks of the famous 90 feet road, depicted on a sheet of black paper, where the students after having observed the entire road together, have drawn various shops, boutiques and people as they see on the roads, giving a touch of their own perception to them.

“This is their area, and is rooted in their everyday experience. These children have grown up here and hence have a lot to express. What we wanted to tell these children is that art has no right or wrong side to it, it is all about how you perceive the world around you,” Madhumita Srivastava, the facilitator of the workshop said.

The second programme, was the graphic module that comprised nine children who created a comic book, called the ‘Satuday Co-mix,’ a collection of tales created through their own ideas, either inspired by real-life incidents or completely a product of their own imagination. “The idea behind the name is that usually, comic books are associated with the element of humour but this comic book has stories ranging from the genres of horror, thriller and comedy,” the lead facilitator for the Graphic Novel module, Chaitanya Modak, a comic book creator said.

Lalit Gupta, a Class VII student and author of his story, ‘Mote ka sapna,’ nudging his friend and classmate who he occasionally made fun of in good humour said, “He was the idea behind my story. The story is about an over-weight boy who wants to lose a few pounds but cannot because he loves eating so much.”

Gurugram: The 8th Annual Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards (SOCA) hosted by DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance (DPLI) felicitated 29 school students for their extraordinary efforts in the area of community service at a ceremony in Gurugram. These finalists were shortlisted from over 4000 applications received in a nationwide search for the country’s top student volunteers. Programme Ambassador, Olympic Medalist and Former World No.1 Badminton Player, Saina Nehwal was the Chief Guest at the event.

The prestigious awards programme introduced in 2010 is the India chapter of the Spirit of Community Awards, the largest youth recognition programme in the United States based exclusively on volunteer service.

The top honours in the Individual Category went to Ishita Mangla a Class XI student of Delhi Public School, RK Puram, New Delhi, for her initiative, ‘Sunain’ that diagnoses and treats children with amblyopia and poor visual acuity and Banupriya S., a Class VIII student of P.U.M.S (SSA), Kalachery West, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu for fighting against the beliefs and superstitions attached to menstruation in her village. Both the winners were presented with Gold medallions, Certificates of Excellence, a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 each and a return trip to Washington, D.C. While in Washington, D.C., they will represent India in the felicitation ceremonies for Spirit of Community Award winners from all participating countries.

A group of five students, Ashwini Singh, Lakhpat Singh, Rahul, Sumit Singh and Sunil Singh from Govt. Higher Secondary School, Kotra, Rajasthan were declared winners in the Group Category for organizing an effective and sustainable campaign to spread awareness about water management and conservation. They were presented with Gold medallions, Certificates of Excellence and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 to be shared among them.

14 other well deserving finalists in the Individual Category and two more in the Group Category received Certificates of Achievement and Silver medallions.

Addressing the finalists at the awards ceremony, Mr. Anoop Pabby, MD & CEO, DPLI said, “Through SOCA, we identify and recognize young volunteers like you who have made a significant difference in society through their community service work. You have taken the initiative to find causes to support that have impacted the lives of many and have not let age come in the way of your contribution. I congratulate you for your incredible achievements and hope that you will continue the good work you are doing.”

He added, “I believe that every child has the potential to bring a positive change. All they need is motivation and a push in the right direction. I am sure that your remarkable efforts will inspire more and more children to give back to the communities they live in.” Speaking at the awards ceremony, Programme Ambassador, Saina Nehwal, said, “It is an honour for me to be associated with SOCA for the second consecutive year. Children are our future and encouraging their efforts to give back to society at a young age is a very good initiative. I am impressed by the enterprising ability of the applicants to start these community projects. Their hard work and dedication is an inspiration for other children and I wish them the best for their future.”

The two national winners were selected by an eminent jury panel comprising Prof. Anita Rampal, Professor & Former Dean, Faculty of Education, Delhi University; Ms. Shovana Narayan, World renowned Kathak dancer; Ms. Richa Anirudh, Journalist & a well-known face of Hindi Television; Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation; Ms. Soha Moitra, Director of the Northern Region & the Volunteer Action division, CRY; Mr. Kapil Pandey, Founder and President, The Kutumb Foundation; and Ms. Shilpa Dureja Puri, Director Marketing – Digital & Experiential, Microsoft India.

The national winners will travel to Washington, D.C. in end April to be a part of the gala award ceremony held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. They would also be taken on a tour of the capitol’s historic monuments and landmarks and enjoy a festive dinner cruise on the Potomac River. Moreover, there will be plenty of opportunities for these students to share their experiences and ideas with volunteers from other participating countries.