Year: 2022

Healthcare at doorsteps for urban poor through mobile health vans

Gurugram, 25 July 2019: Pushpa a daily wager working at construction sites of Gurugram is happy that she does not have to miss a day of pay to attend to her family’s medical needs. The doctor literally comes to her doorstep, bi-monthly to cater to the healthcare demands of her family and community.

Similarly, Janak Kaur, 76, a resident of Kalyanpuri, has been regularly availing services of the Noida healthcare van for two years to get free treatment for diabetes. This includes regular health-checks, medication and consultation.

“With the doctors coming right our doorstep, life has become so much easier. My blood sugar and blood pressure levels are in control, taking care of other health parameters,” she said.

Ericsson with Smile Foundation has launched five mobile hospitals to cater to the needs of the underprivileged communities in the urban villages of Noida, Gurgaon, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru.

Access to medical or healthcare and its costs are two big factors that push poor communities deeper into poverty. For many even a manageable illness or healthcare issues would become a life inhibiting challenges.

Out-of-pocket health expenses drove 55 million Indians–more than the population of South Korea, Spain or Kenya–into poverty in 2017, and of these, 38 million (69%) were impoverished by expenditure on medicines alone, according to a study released by Public health Foundation of India in 2018. The study also showed that about 68% of the Indian population had limited or no access to essential medicines.

“The project was first launched in 2015 to address the primary healthcare needs of daily wage earners living in urban underprivileged communities. Looking at the success achieved by the programme, Ericsson extended the services to Mumbai in April 2016 and more recently to Pune in January 2019,” said Amitabh Ray, MD, Ericsson India Global Services.

“Since 2015, we have already catered to over 3 lac patients in need of healthcare. In the near future, we plan to strengthen the mobile medical unit services to the inaccessible population and thereby contribute towards bridging the access and equity gap in our Healthcare system,” he said.

“Working with poor and underprivileged communities, we see the day to day struggles, particularly the daily wage workers and their families undergo. The partnership with Ericsson therefore comes as a critical initiative to address the gap that exists in terms of healthcare needs and its availability,” said Santanu Mishra, co-founder and executive trustee at Smile Foundation.

“This free-of-cost door step service is our effort to reduce out of pocket expenses for the underserved communities, thereby helping them allocates their resources to other critical needs like food and education,” he said.

The community outreach is an important part of this initiative as this inculcates health seeking behavior in the community. As part of the programme, doctors and paramedics often hold awareness sessions on lifestyle diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, importance of nutrition and sanitation among other things.

Smile Foundation runs 40 fully functional medical vans catering to the health care needs of poor communities in various state of India and hopes to add at least 40 more in the coming two years.

What is Smile on Wheels?

The Smile on Wheels van provides access to medicine and healthcare to the underprivileged through outpatient sessions undertaken by the onboard Doctor, Nurse, and Pharmacist. The Van treats patients and provides pathological services and Information Education Communication activities to promote healthy living habits and tackle chronic diseases. For patients with requirements for more advanced treatment the Van provides referrals to Hospitals in the region.

Each Mobile Medical Unit provides its services in 20 different slum locations with fortnightly visits at each. On a monthly basis, each van sees a footfall of 1300 patients. In addition to the services provided at the Mobile Medical Unit, the implementation team carries out monthly IEC activities in communities and nearby schools to generate awareness on health, hygiene, nutrition and any other prevalent diseases. The Van also provided critical service of early detection and access to proper medical treatment during malaria and dengue outbreaks during monsoon months.

Over 3.4 Lakh beneficiaries have benefitted from the Smile on Wheels intervention and nearly 70% of these beneficiaries are women and children. 10, 500 + patients suffering from Diabetes are receiving regular medical treatment and medicines from the Mobile Medical Unit service.

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organisation reaching out to more than 600,000 underprivileged children, youth and women directly every year through more than 250 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, youth employability, and women empowerment across 25 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

Website: http://www.smilefoundationindia.org/

For press queries contact:

Smile Foundation: Jaya Shroff
Email Id: jaya.shroff@smilefoundationindia.org

Initiative to provide access to quality & affordable healthcare through digital technology

02 August 2019, Bhilwara/Jaipur: e-Doctor clinic, a pioneering initiative that brings quality healthcare to the doorsteps of underserved communities through outreach and deployment of digital technology,was launched today in Gangapur Block, Bhilwara, Rajasthan.

A joint initiative of Smile Foundation and Karma Healthcare, supported by the Australian Government, the e-Doctor Clinic will work through a combination of community outreach and low-cost primary healthcare services provided by qualified medical staff.

The project seeks to address the gap that exists in the healthcare infrastructure and unmet need by addressing health-seeking behavior, ensuring affordability, and accessibilityto qualified doctors.

For making healthcare affordable, available and accessible, Smile Foundation and Karma Healthcare have been working for over four months to set up clinics in remote areas, awareness outreach, and technology optimization. The ‘hub and spoke approach’ enables communities to access a range of primary healthcare services using video conferencing from remote clinicstoconnect with well-equipped central clinic with doctors.

The formal launch event was graced by Dr Timothy Kendall, Economic Counsellor, Australian High Commission; Ms Rekha Chandel, Chairman- Municipal Corporation, Gangapur, Bhilwara; Dr M L Jain, MD Community Medicine Rtd. Director of Medical Health Services (RCH/SIHFW) and Mr. Subroto Roy, Director Programme & Programme Development, Smile Foundation.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Kendall said: “The Australian Government is pleased to support Smile Foundation and Karma Healthcare in this initiative to improve access to quality and affordable primary healthcare for communities in rural Rajasthan.”

“Access to quality and affordable healthcare is ‘a make or break situation’ for poor communities. This will not just give these populations access to quality healthcare but will also go a long way in reducing their out of pocket expenses,” said Santanu Mishra, Co-founder, and Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation.

“I believe this model can provide healthcare services at scale in a cost-efficient manner. This will allow us to take major strides towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 related good health and well-being for all,” said Dr. M L Jain.

Karma Healthcare is a novel and highly relevant proposition which harnesses digital connectivity to provide affordable quality healthcare to rural and semi-urban India.

Notes for the editor:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organization established with a mission to empower underprivileged children, youth and women. Smile is directly benefitting over 600,000 children and their families every year, through more than 250 live welfare projects on education, healthcare, livelihood and women empowerment, in over 950 remote villages and slums across 25 states of India. Smile’s healthcare programme focuses on preventive, promotive, basic curative and referrals through its mobile hospitals and health camps. The approach is to take healthcare to communities that have problem of access to basic health care because of the nature of occupation, overloaded government healthcare system and expensive private healthcare.

Karma Healthcare is a novel and highly relevant proposition which harnesses digital connectivity to provide affordable quality healthcare to rural and semi-urban India. Karma’s “assisted e-health” business model juxtaposes low delivery cost and human touch – such that the combination of these two elements engenders a high efficacy, sustainable rural healthcare play via a pan India network of healthcare centers over time. The organization operates ‘e-Doctor’ clinics providing nurse-assisted online medical consultations by qualified doctors, diagnostic services and referral services to secondary/ tertiary care.

Project Navkiran has been supported through the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP), an initiative of the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The BPP has been established as part of Australia’s aid program to engage with the private sector. The platform partners businesses with DFAT to deliver both social and commercial returns. It also allows DFAT to contribute to community-level impact, adding new dimensions to the Australia–India relationship.

Website: http://www.smilefoundationindia.org/

For press queries contact:

Smile Foundation: Jaya Shroff
Email Id: jaya.shroff@smilefoundationindia.org

03 August 2019, Mumbai: India’s acclaimed gaming and entertainment center, Smaaash, hosted kids from Smile Foundation along with ace actor Manish Paul who spent his afternoon playing with the kids and entertaining them. Smaaash took great pleasure by hosting gaming and lunch for 40 children from Smile Foundation along with a fun filled session with the multitalented television anchor Manish, who celebrated his birthday with Smile Foundation kids at Smaaash.

The kids had a joyous time indulging in various fun activities and playing games like bowling, go karting, cricket, the newly launched trampoline and various other arcade games.

The delectable lunch was followed by a cake cutting and a photo session with versatile actor Manish Paul who made the children unwind to their fullest.

Smaaash takes great pleasure in appreciating Smile Foundations commendable efforts and selfless work towards the betterment and future of these underprivileged children.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr Abhishek Agarwal, Head of Marketing said, “At Smaaash we believe, it is all about making a difference in someone else’s life and bringing a smile on their face. Our collaboration with Smile Foundation is one such effort towards bringing smile and joy to the underprivileged kids by giving them a splendid time at Smaaash which they can cherish for the rest of their lives. It is our privilege to be a part of this association. And having a presence of a great talented actor, Manish Paul truly brings in an extra topping on the cake.”

“We are happy that Smaaash has given our children a window to a world they don’t always get to see in their usually very ordinary lifestyles. We believe that it is important to recognize the importance of equipping every child with a strong learning foundation to help them cope well with future and manage families and communities around them,” said Santanu Mishra, co-founder and executive trustee at Smile Foundation.

“All our programmes within Smile Foundation are designed with the aim of empowering children and youth with strong education, good health, overall confidence and personality development to make them self sustainable and complete leaders for tomorrow. The idea is to ensure access to quality early childhood development programmes to prepare them for bigger life goals,” he said.

ABOUT SMAAASH

Launched in 2012, SMAAASH is one of India’s acclaimed gaming and entertainment centers that blends sports, virtual reality, music and dining into an immersive, evolved, interactive and innovative social experience for family, friends and children alike. Helmed by its creative ideator, ShripalMorakhia, SMAAASH is renowned in the field of sports simulation technology and proprietary gamification technologies such as a unique twilight bowling zone, motor racing and bike racing simulators and the go-karting tracks (in Mumbai & Gurgaon)

Being a virtual reality led entertainment gaming center – vastly credited to its in-house research and production capabilities, head mounted displays are used to produce games such as Walk the Plank, Finger Coaster, Cockpit 360 etc.

Recently, SMAAASH has acquired 100% stake in bluO entertainment (a premium bowling and entertainment format). The acquisition marks the doubling of the area under SMAAASH management from 276,000 square feet to approximately around 600,000 square feet in India. With its current presence in Mumbai, Gurgaon, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Noida and Ludhiana, SMAAASH also touted as one of India’s entertainment powerhouse in foreign shores with its Mall of America launch. Apart from this, SMAAASH has also acquired a 100% stake in SVM Bowling and Gaming, a popular bowling and entertainment format operated by SVM Private Limited. We are now present in 13 cities and are now 26 centers in total.

SMAAASH implores the child in you to joyously revel in an unmatched range of activities ranging from highly interactive sports simulators to many more thrilling and recreational attractions. Redefining sports entertainment and customer engagement with ground-breaking entertainment ideas and novel dining concepts, SMAAASH has something for everyone anyone of any age making it a perfect destination for “kids” of all ages.

Website: https://smaaash.in

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organization benefitting over 750,000 underprivileged children, their families and the community directly through 350 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment across 1000 remote villages and slums across 25 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

Website: http://www.smilefoundationindia.org/

‘Ride for Freedom’ held across 15 cities to mark Independence Day

New Delhi, 15th August 2019: As India celebrates its 72nd Independence Day, bikers across 15 cities came together to set the ‘wheels of change in motion’ for girls from less privileged communities, giving a special meaning to word freedom that only education can enable.

The iconic British luxury motorcycle maker Triumph and Smile Foundation came together for the fifth time in a row to raise funds for supporting girl’s education and make the day special by holding bike rides by the enthusiasts.

Shoeb Farooq, General Manager, Triumph Motorcycles India, said: “In a country like ours where the girls have very little access to education, it is important to create opportunities for them to learn, grow and evolve… our objective is to create awareness and support girls so that they receive quality education, which help them better their lives.”

“We are happy to partner with Triumph for five years in a row to support the cause of education, which is the very foundation of Smile. We believe in education for all and girl child in particular as they form the foundation, the backbone of every family,” said Santanu Mishra, co-founder, and trustee, Smile Foundation.

“If we educate our girls today, they will be informed wives, mothers, and caregivers tomorrow. This is not just important for the progress of a home, but integral to the healthy growth of the nation as a whole,” said Mishra.

This ride for a cause was flagged off from Triumph dealerships across fifteen locations in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Kochi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad.

“Through this ride, we wish to create awareness around the need for quality education for all. Our riders will be spreading the message of the need for educating the girls,” added Farooq.

Triumph’s ‘Ride for Freedom’ reached out to its 5,000-strong customer base across cities. The company reached out to its patrons to encourage them to support to education of girls.

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organisation reaching out to more than 600,000 underprivileged children, youth and women directly every year through more than 250 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, youth employability, and women empowerment across 25 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

Website: http://www.smilefoundationindia.org/

About Triumph

Media Contact: Jaya Shroff: jaya.shroff@smilefoundationindia.org | 9818194294

Media Contact: Rishabh Khanna: rishabh.khanna@mslgroup.com | 8882712727

Amitabh Bacchan to champion the Swastha Banega India Campaign

Pan India Release, 17 August 2019: With Amitabh Bacchan championing the cause of health of new mothers, Reckitt Benckiser, NDTV and Smile Foundation have come together to launch the Swastha Banega India Campaign focused on pregnant mothers or young mothers, on August 19 at Jamnabai Narsee School, Vile Parle in Mumbai.

The six-month long campaign, with the non-profit Smile Foundation as the ‘implementing partner’, will focus on pregnant and young mothers. While raising awareness on the need of health seeking behavior, good nutrition and safe and hygienic sanitary practices, the campaign ‘Swastha Banega India’ in its sixth edition aims to address a larger goal of reducing mother and child deaths in India.

Data from The Lancet’s Series (May 2014) shows that most maternal and infant deaths occur in the first month after birth: almost half of postnatal maternal deaths occur within the first 24 hours, and 66% occur during the first week . In 2013, 2.8 million newborns died in their first month of life─1 million of these new-borns died on the first day.

According to the World Health Organisation under nutrition affects mortality and ill-health along the entire continuum of care from pre-pregnancy to early childhood.

Data shows that poor dietary quality and inadequate intake of micronutrients as well as low energy intake, contributes to at least one-third of child deaths and 20 per cent deaths during child delivery.

WHO says that more than 60% of all under-five child deaths can be avoided with proven, low-cost preventive care and treatment. Preventive care includes: continuous breast-feeding, vaccination, adequate nutrition and use of insecticide treated mosquito nets. Similarly, safe sanitation practices, coupled with wholesome nutrition, which includes iron, calcium and carbohydrates can prevent 20 per cent maternal deaths.

Amitabh Bacchan, who is the brand ambassador for the campaign will be launching the ‘Swasth Box’ – which has been carefully curated by health care experts to address the health, sanitation and nutrition challenges among the underserved women population of our country.

The pan India campaign will reach out to over a 1000 women to raise awareness on the issue of mother and child deaths across India. In the second phase, Swastha Boxes will be distributed among the vulnerable populations over a three month period across states in India and in the final phase, reflections from beneficiaries- mothers and communities will be captured as an outcome for the campaign.

1. Every Newborn, An Executive Summary for The Lancet’s Series. May 2014
2. Nour N. 2008. An Introduction to Maternal Mortality. Reviews in Obstetrics &Gynecology. 1:77–81.

“Community outreach is a critical aspect of this campaign and that is facilitated by outreach volunteers as the community has low levels of awareness and poor health seeking behavior,” said Santanu Mishra, trustee and co-founder, Smile Foundation

“Smile Foundation will ensure that the kit reaches the women who need it the most and also influence the mindsets to ensure that the mother and newborns or infants are safe and healthy.” he added.

Website: http://www.smilefoundationindia.org/

FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT:

Jaya Shroff: Smile Foundation: jaya.shroff@smilefoundationindia.org | 9818194294

With international funding slowing and domestic fundraising taking off strongly, local NGOs have to up their game to win hearts and donations from local supports and companies. A five-day workshop by Smile Foundation in association with Wilde Ganzen’s Change the Game Academy in Kolkata seeks to help organization crack the local fundraising.

Kolkata, 31 August 2019: Over the past decade or so dependence on foreign funding for national NGOs has been erratic and is on a slow down. As per a recent report there has been a decline of 40 percent in foreign funds for NGOs over the past five years. This coupled with global economic slowdown and emergence of corporate social responsibility and individual giving, is making local organizations look for ways to raise resources and support for the cause they champion within the national markets.

But this is easier said than done as most organization that are working at state level and rooted in the community also called community-based organizations or (CBOs) lack resources, mentoring and skills to leverage this opportunity.

Various new ideas and tools that are being tried out to raise funds and Change the Game Academy (CtGA) is one such programme, funded by the Wild Geese Foundation to empower the smaller nongovernment organizations in methods to become self reliant and sustainable.

“Funds from foreign are shrinking due to valid reasons, corporates are more systematic and in better control to invest, NGOs by and large lack with the skills and mainly the attitude to complement the policies of Government in place by either improving or setting them anew. As a result ‘Self-Sustainability’ is a big question for them,” said Mukesh George, a trainer working with Smile Foundation, who is part of the CtGA programme.

“Change the Game Academy (CtGA) addresses these issues through its Classroom Course approach by focusing on the aspect of Local Fundraising. The course brings forth the paradigm shift to the participants that Local Fundraising is more sustainable option in a longer run and they leave the room equipped with skill-set, ready with an event plan to fundraise,” he explained.

“We have seen that the Indian’s are giving, hence we are seeing a growing trend in donations by individual philanthropists. They have ensured that the role of private funding continues to grow despite slowing foreign fund inflows. Similarly, funding under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is maturing, which has seen a growth of 12 percent the recent times, but a lot more needs to be done,” said Gargi Kapoor, In-charge, CtGA, India.

“These workshops help the civil society to rethink their business models, think strategically about its financial models and adopt new and innovative approaches that will help the sector maintain its independence and still be sustainable. The idea exchanges that happen through the workshops empower these smaller units with long term and short-term fundraising goals,” she explained.

The legislative environment and the policies related, economic downturn in the top-tier funding countries and changing donor priorities have made dependence on foreign funding a verytricky option. The need for smaller NGO’s is about finding financial stability, by diversifying their resources to have a healthy mix of long and short term funding, Financial sustainability is about diversifying financial resources in order to have a healthy mix of long and short-term funding, CSR donations, foreign and local donors as well as internally generated resources by events, fundraisers etc.

Jaya Shroff: Smile Foundation: jaya.shroff@smilefoundationindia.org | 9818194294

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organisation reaching out to more than 600,000 underprivileged children, youth and women directly every year through more than 250 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, youth employability, and women empowerment across 25 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

Website – www.smilefoundationindia.org

Awardees felicitated by Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee, 13th President of India, for their exemplary contribution in the field of public service and human welfare.

2 September 2019, New Delhi: Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation, has been conferred Bharatiya Manavata Vikas Puraskar 2019 for Smile Foundation’s committed and extensive contribution towards human welfare.

Mr. Mishra, recipient of Prestigious Odisha Living Legend Award, hails from Sambalpur and Odisha. Mishra is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, an Associate Member of Institute of Company Secretaries of India, and a lawyer. In 2005, Mishra quit his full-time corporate career and got completely involved in advancing the non-profit Smile Foundation.

Nine individuals have been given the award for “building a brand of faith and hope through their conviction and actions while remaining committed to bringing about a change in the society and championing the cause of equality, humanity, social justice, and human welfare.”

The award ceremony held on 30th August 2019 in New Delhi was graced by Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee, 13th President of India.

The list of awardees also included: Padma Shri awardee Arunachalam Muruganantham; Padma Shri awardee Anu Aga; Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Sandeep Pandey; Animal Rights Activist Menaka Gandhi; Rani Laskhmibai Stree Shakti Puraskar awardee Mansi Pradhan; Actress and social activist Nafisa Ali; Acid attack survivor and activist Lakshmi Agarwal; Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Prakash Baba Amte; Conservationist and wild photographer Belinda Wright.

In his powerful and poignant speech to mark the award ceremony, Former President Pranab Mukherjee invoked the spirit of humanism and equality that underline the Constitution of India and added that: “I am delighted to hand over the awards to such wonderful people. It’s being humane that’s the most important thing in the world. Till the time we can’t become humane, we can’t become humans.”

The award citation highlighted the innovative approach and extensive partnerships, with a range of stakeholders, particularly with companies and corporates, fostered by Smile Foundation to enable interventions that have benefitted 750,000 underserved children and their families.

Receiving the award, Mr Mishra, said, “If an organization created by a few ordinary people, without any experience of the social sector, could mobilize over 400 global corporate and 200,000 individuals to impact the lives of more than 1.5 million children and families in just over 15 years, it gives us hope that a positive change is happening and this may be the beginning of a new world.”

“The concept of society driven change has become more relevant today. New India is on the rise. The thought process of the millennials is different – they are aware of the social disparities around them, more sensitized towards their social responsibility. Increasingly, it is getting important to give access to the lesser privileged, to voice their concerns and issues, and bring a sense of empathy to the privileged.”

Power Brands: Bharatiya Manavata Vikas Puraskar (BMVP) is a distinctive initiative, a unique stage of some of the most powerful and humane minds from across the nation. BMVP is a platform for leaders from the sphere of Politics, Business, Academics, and Entertainment.

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organisation reaching out to more than 600,000 underprivileged children, youth and women directly every year through more than 250 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, youth employability, and women empowerment across 25 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

Website: http://www.smilefoundationindia.org/

FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT:

Jaya Shroff: Smile Foundation: jaya.shroff@smilefoundationindia.org | 9818194294

5^th edition of SIFFCY will focus on films from Sweden, Germany and Czech Republic

New Delhi November 11 2019: Come December, the National Capital will welcome the fifth edition of Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY). The festival that is one of India’s most unique film festivals for children and youth boasts of a carefully curated roster of cinema with 150 titles from 50 countries in over 30 languages, to be screened from 9-15 December in the heart of Delhi – the Siri Fort Auditorium.

SIFFCY serves as an international venue for different cultures around the globe to screen, celebrate and honor the filmmakers that create the distinguishable cinema. The week-long festival brings together internationally recognised artists to promote and share their love of cinema and the filmmaking process. The festival will host several panels and workshops on pressing social issues by international experts.

Over 20,000 children and youth from all over the country are expected to come for the screenings.

Mr. Santanu Mishra, Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation & Chairman, SIFFCY, says, “Bringing good cinema to children is more important than ever before. With internet penetration and easy technology access, online videos – both good and bad—are increasingly the most consumed medium by children these days. Whereas film festivals like ours brings them select, age-appropriate content from all over the world. This exposes them to good content and helps them differentiate it from all that’s not right for them,” he said.

Mr. Jitendra Mishra, Festival Director, SIFFCY, says, “SIFFCY 2019 is going to be an absolute feast for everyone, irrespective of their age, as the event would alchemise and produce an ideal combination of varied genres and niches including family, passion, kinship, self-assurance and others. A major part of the festivals and corresponding panel discussions will focus on climate change, environment and cleanliness.”

The latest edition of SIFFCY will have a panel of international jury to present unbiased perspective on the featured films. Supporting various allegiances, the event would represent collaborations with the leading film festivals of Europes – BUFF Malmö, Sweden, Schlingel IFF, Germany and Junior Fest, Czech Republic. The festival will celebrate their partnership with all three countries by dedicating a day in their honour.

International Competitive Award, Next-Gen (Student Films) Award and various other accolades will be given to good films in respective categories. The festival intends to serve as a platform which not only acknowledges good cinema but also honours them with well-deserving laurels. The festival will host the most prestigious European Children Film Association award and the CIFEZ award. SIFFCY is the only non-European country to host the ECFA award.

For more MEDIA queries/ interviews:

Contact: Jaya Shroff: 9818194294 | jaya.shroff@smilefoundationindia.org

Website – www.smilefoundationindia.org

~Amaze your kids with the new series of Motu Patlu Comic~

New Delhi, November 14 2019: Madame Tussauds, the world’s most famous wax attraction, hosted the launch of India’s beloved cartoon character Motu Patlu’s comic book series, at the Delhi attraction here today.

Children from SMILE FOUNDATION unveiled the comic book alongside the figures of their favorite cartoon characters at the attraction. The book launch was followed by a brief comic-reading session for the enjoyment of the kids.

The comic book, is a special Madame Tussauds edition and chronicles the adventures of ‘Motu Patlu’ at the wax attraction. Earlier this year, Madame Tussauds had unveiled the figures of the most loved cartoon characters at their Delhi attraction located at the iconic Regal Building.

Motu and Patlu illustrate the imperishable bond between two friends living in an imaginary town. Both Motu & Patlu have a strong fan following with Kids and parents due to their clean and fun content that has led to many memorable adventures for the Duo. They are noted for getting into hilarious situations from which they manage to extricate themselves only through luck. The iconic characters, created by Mr. A.P Bajaj of the lotPot Group in 1969, now also a popular kids series on Television.

Over the last 50 years, the comic characters have won numerous accolades like the ‘Best Animated Character at BAF Awards’, Best Animated Character for 3 consecutive years at the Kids Choice awards and the Best Animated Characters at the Delhi CG awards.

Mr Anshul Jain, General Manager and Director, Merlin Entertainments India Pvt. Ltd. Said, “Madame Tussauds Delhi is a fun entertainment destination for families. The Motu Patlu figures are very popular with children, which has made us want to offer something more to the fans. I’m sure kids will enjoy reading the adventures of Motu Patlu at Madame Tussauds Delhi. Also It was a delight to have the kids from smile foundation here for the launch of the comic series. We hope they had a memorable time.”

Mr Santanu Mishra, Executive Trustee and Co-Founder, Smile Foundation said, “Smile believes that inculcating today’s morals to children, is one of the best ways to bring about civic driven change. Motu Patlu and their stories have a unique way of spreading messages of hope and persistence, and this gives their audience an exceptional format to learn. Thanks to Madame Tussauds, kids from Smile’s Mission Education School have been given the opportunity to visit and experience one of the most iconic attractions in Delhi and be part of this comic series launch.”

About Madame Tussauds:

Welcoming a fabulous 10 million guests through our world-famous doors every year, Madame Tussauds gives you the chance to experience the ultimate fame experience.

Madame Tussauds has over 23 unique locations around the globe, from New York to Shanghai, Amsterdam to Sydney – and of course London, where the story began. Throughout its 250+ year history, Madame Tussauds has brought to life thousands of celebs, stars and heroes – in mind-blowingly accurate detail – giving visitors the opportunity to brush shoulders with their idols and literally reach for the stars!

Truly immerse yourself in Madame Tussauds famous worlds and get a taste of the life of the rich and famous, as in 2018, the opportunity to become the star continues! Through a combination of its historic artistic methods (that date back centuries, by the way!), immersive sets and pioneering modern tech – guests can experience fame and get closer to the action like never before…

Welcome to the Stage.

Welcome to the Spotlight.

Welcome to Madame Tussauds – it’s where stars are made!

About Merlin Entertainments Plc

Merlin Entertainments plc is a global leader in location-based, family entertainment. As Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates over 120 attractions, 18 hotels and 6 holiday villages in 25 countries and across 4 continents. Merlin’s purpose is to deliver memorable experiences to 67 million guests around the world, through its iconic brands and multiple attraction formats, and the commitment and passion of its c.28,000 employees (peak season).

See Merlin Backstage ( www.merlinentertainments.biz/backstage or www.facebook.com/merlinbackstage) or visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organisation reaching out to more than 600,000 underprivileged children, youth and women directly every year through more than 250 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, youth employability, and women empowerment across 25 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

Website – www.smilefoundationindia.org