Year: 2026

New Delhi, 1 June 2026: Smile Foundation has reached the milestone of delivering 2 million (20 lakh) healthcare treatments in a single financial year 2025–26 through its integrated community healthcare initiatives. Smile Foundation has delivered a cumulative treatment of more than 70 lakh people since 2006 when its community healthcare programme began.

In a country where last-mile healthcare continues to be shaped by geographic complexity, socio-economic barriers and uneven distribution of medical services, Smile Foundation has developed one of India’s most adaptive and community-focused primary healthcare delivery models.

India’s public health system is impacted by high out-of-pocket expenditure, overburdened government facilities, and low health-seeking behaviour in vulnerable communities. in order address these structural gaps and complement the governmental endeavour, Smile Foundation’s healthcare programme combines mobile healthcare delivery, digital innovations, preventive engagement and system-strengthening measures. At present, 143 healthcare projects are operational across India. It includes, 124 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs), six static clinics, six Mobile Tele-medicine Units (MTUs), two Mobile Dental Units (MDUs), four Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health + Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) projects, and a Boat Clinic.

Operating across 90 districts, including 22 Aspirational Districts, across 22 states Smile Foundation’s healthcare programme aligns closely with national priorities under Ayushman Bharat, the National Digital Health Mission, the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases and POSHAN Abhiyaan. It also contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) – 3 on good health and well-being.

During FY 2025–26, Smile Foundation delivered 17.80 lakh curative treatments through its network of Mobile Medical Units, Mobile Telemedicine Units and Static Clinics. Preventive and promotive services reached 1.15 lakh individuals, while large-scale screenings for non-communicable diseases benefitted 1.57 lakh people. The health screenings focused on Hypertension, Diabetes and Anaemia, complemented by health awareness sessions, and school health initiatives that promote early habits of hygiene, nutrition and regular check-ups.

In regions ranging from the high-altitude villages of Ladakh to the desert communities of Jaisalmer, and from the river islands of the Brahmaputra to dense urban settlements in cities, Smile Foundation ensures that quality healthcare travels to people who have limited access to formal medical services. Special, tailor-made healthcare projects are also operational for truck drivers, construction workers, and automobile industry workforce.

Aligned with the National Digital Health Mission, Smile Foundation has integrated technology-enabled systems including electronic patient databases, real-time dashboards, GPS-based tracking and digital monitoring tools that strengthen transparency and accountability. These innovations support medicine management, disease burden analysis, timely supervision and seamless coordination with government health facilities, helping reduce the load on public health centres and lowering out-of-pocket expenditure for low-income families.

“Our doctors, nurses, community mobilisers and partners work across some of India’s most challenging geographies,” said Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder & Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation, “We remain grateful to our supporters and local administrations whose collaboration strengthens our ability to align with national health priorities and ensure that quality primary healthcare is accessible to every citizen.”

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is an Indian development organization directly benefiting over 2.5 million children and families every year through numerous welfare projects on education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment spread across remote villages and urban clusters in 27 states. Please visit: www.smilefoundationindia.org

Bengaluru, 8^th of April 2026: Smile Foundation, in collaboration with Ashirvad by aliaxis, India’s leading provider of plumbing and water management solutions organised a seminar on “Innovative Technologies in Plumbing” in Bengaluru. The seminar spotlighted a significant opportunity to transform the sector, generate higher employment opportunities by training 44% of the workforce with modern plumbing technologies. Bringing together industry leaders, Sector Skill Councils, and training organisations, the seminar focused on accelerating technology adoption, expanding on-ground training, and building a future-ready plumbing ecosystem to support India’s rapid urban and infrastructure growth.

The seminar served as a cross-industry platform for stakeholders to exchange insights on emerging trends, evolving project requirements, and the role of innovation in improving efficiency and sustainability in plumbing systems. The seminar saw participation from Mr. Sudheer Pobbathi of Ashirvad by aliaxis, Mr. Rozer Vincent of Ashirvad Training Academy, representatives from the Water Management and Plumbing Sector Skill Council, industry leaders from Prestige Group, KOHLER, and Cemindia Projects Limited, along with key representatives from Smile Foundation.

A key highlight of the seminar was Plumber Saathi, an initiative by Ashirvad by aliaxis implemented by Smile Foundation, which delivers free of cost, on-site and community-based training to plumbers. The programme focuses on enabling plumbers to upgrade their skills at their place of work or residence, ensuring accessibility and practical, hands-on learning.

Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation said, “Bringing training closer to where plumbers live and work is key to unlocking the sector’s full potential. Through initiatives like Plumber Saathi, we are equipping plumbers with advanced skills, enabling their earning opportunities, thereby transforming the future of their children and families. We are also strengthening the foundation for a more advanced and future-ready plumbing ecosystem, wherein skilled plumbers are central.”

Mr. Sudeep Agrawal, CFO & Head – CSR, Ashirvad by aliaxis said, “At Ashirvad by aliaxis, we believe that investing in the skilling of plumbers is not just a social responsibility-it is a strategic imperative for India’s infrastructure future. Initiatives like Plumber Saathi reflect our commitment to making advanced plumbing knowledge accessible at the grassroots level. By equipping plumbers with the tools and technologies of tomorrow, we are not only enhancing livelihoods but also ensuring that India’s rapidly growing urban landscape is built on a foundation of quality, efficiency, and sustainability.”

Discussions focused on the integration of advanced technologies within the plumbing ecosystem. Experts highlighted the importance of retrofitting and adopting smart plumbing systems to modernize ageing infrastructure, while also addressing challenges in high-rise buildings such as pressure management and waste systems. The role of smart water metering and automation in improving efficiency, reducing water loss, and enabling sustainable usage was also emphasized.

The seminar concluded with a shared call to action for stakeholders to work together in driving innovation, expanding skilling efforts, and building a skilled, inclusive, and technology-driven plumbing workforce aligned with India’s urban and sustainability priorities.

About Smile Foundation

Smile Foundation is an Indian development organization directly benefiting over 2.5 million children and families every year through numerous welfare projects on education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment spread across remote villages and urban clusters in 27 states. Please visit: www.smilefoundationindia.org

About Ashirvad by aliaxis

Ashirvad, part of the global Aliaxis group, is a leader in fluid management solutions, offering a wide range of products across plumbing, agriculture, and industrial segments. With over 25 years of expertise, Ashirvad continues to set industry standards in innovation, quality, and sustainability. The company manufactures over 6000 product SKUs catering to plumbers, retailers, distributors, influencers, MEP consultants, contractors, homeowners, farming community and infrastructure sector. Ashirvad by Aliaxis has a presence of over 9 Distribution Centers/Depots across the country. The company has a network of over 55000 dealers and 7 fully functional, state-of-the-art manufacturing units located across the country.

New Delhi, April 16, 2026: Smile Foundation has been certified as a Great Place To Work® in India for the sixth consecutive year. This recognition underscores the organisation’s continued focus on building a high-trust, healthy, and purpose-driven workplace.

Smile Foundation continues to demonstrate strong employee confidence across key workplace parameters, reflecting a consistent emphasis on employee wellbeing, collaboration, and transparency.

This milestone highlights Smile Foundation’s sustained efforts to nurture a culture of ownership that enables individuals to grow meaningfully and stay connected to a larger societal purpose. The organisation’s working model is anchored in the motto of ‘real work brings real change’. This is further complemented by a work culture that prioritises trust, inclusivity, and continuous learning.

Over the years, Smile Foundation has strengthened its people practices through many key initiatives, enabling teams to work effectively across diverse geographies, while remaining deeply connected to the communities they serve. This has played an important role in driving both employee satisfaction and programmatic impact at scale.

Mr. Balbir Singh, CEO, Great Place To Work, India, said, “At Great Place To Work®, we believe a great workplace is built through trust, purpose, and a people-first approach. By earning this Certification, Smile Foundation has demonstrated its commitment to prioritising employee experience and cultivating a culture where people thrive. This milestone celebrates your team’s dedication to creating a workplace that inspires excellence.”

Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-founder, Smile Foundation, reflected, “Individually, we are one drop; together, we are an ocean. Every journey is driven by the people who undertake it, especially the journey of change, from the people who initiate it with an idea to the people who work every day to actualize it, and finally to all the children and their family members who are changing their lives and futures. Our journey has always been about people, and this recognition belongs to each one of them. Such a collective sense of purpose and commitment is the real force behind any successful enterprise, and when they work together, they can do miracles.”

As Smile Foundation continues to expand its project footprint across 27 states, directly impacting the lives of 2.5 million children and their families every year in the areas of education, healthcare, skilling, and women’s empowerment, the organisation remains committed to strengthening its workplace culture as a cornerstone of meaningful impact on the ground.

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is an Indian development organization directly benefiting over 2.5 million children and families every year through numerous welfare projects on education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment spread across remote villages and urban clusters in 27 states.

Smile Foundation has a unique management model at its heart – based on the novel concepts of life-cycle approach of development, good governance, impact on the ground, social return on investment, and civil-driven change. The institution has also been blending empathy and responsibility with innovation, scale, technology and people, and the approach has been highly appreciated across the board, especially by the corporate world.

Please visit: www.smilefoundationindia.org | LinkedIn, Facebook

About Great Place To Work®:

Backed by 30 years of data, Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture. Through its proprietary For All™ Model and Trust Index™ Survey, it gives organizations the recognition and tools to create a consistently positive employee experience. Its mission is to help every place become a great place to work for all, driving business growth, improving lives, and empowering communities. Through globally recognized and coveted Great Place To Work Certification™ and highly competitive Best Workplaces™ Lists, Great Place To Work enables employers to attract and retain talent, benchmark company culture, and increase revenue. Its platform enables leaders to truly capture, analyze and understand the experience of every employee, and compare outcomes with data collected from more than 100 million employees in 150 countries worldwide.

Follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram or visit https://www.greatplacetowork.in/

Initiative to deliver integrated primary healthcare to over 4 lakh individuals in
Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand

New Delhi, March 25, 2026: HDFC Bank, through its CSR programme Parivartan, has partnered with Smile Foundation to launch 8 Mobile Medical Care Units (MCUs) across select remote communities in North India, serving approximately 4 lakh individuals. The programme spans Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, with eight MCUs deployed in total.

Under its Healthcare and Hygiene pillar, HDFC Bank Parivartan works to improve access to primary and preventive healthcare. This initiative focuses on geographically remote and resource-scarce communities.  In hilly terrains, where reaching services can be challenging due to terrain, resource constraints, and high demand on existing systems, timely care is not always easily accessible. These MCUs are designed to directly address that gap.

Each MCU will deliver a full range of primary healthcare services. This includes OPD consultations, diagnostics, and free medicines. Referral services will connect patients to PHCs and CHCs. Pregnant women will receive antenatal and postnatal care. Children will benefit from growth monitoring. Adults will be screened for hypertension, diabetes, and anaemia. School health camps will cover hygiene, nutrition, and menstrual health. Health education sessions will build lasting preventive habits in communities.

The programme will begin in April 2026 and run through March 2028. The launch event brought all 8 MCUs together, featuring project briefings, keynote addresses from HDFC Bank and Smile Foundation leadership.

Maj. General (Prof.) Dr. Atul Kotwal, distinguished chair, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Govt. of India graced the launch function as the chief guest. Mr. Prashant K. S., Lead Consultant at the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) was the Guest of Honour; whereas Dr. Priyanka Shenoy, Sr. Consultant at the NHSRC was the Special Guest.

Speaking about the initiative, Ms. Nusrat Pathan, Head CSR, HDFC Bank, said, “At HDFC Bank, we believe that good health is the foundation of resilient communities. In many remote parts of North India, quality healthcare remains out of reach for the most vulnerable. Through this partnership with Smile Foundation, we are bringing integrated primary healthcare directly to the people who need it most. This initiative reflects Parivartan’s deep commitment to last-mile healthcare and to the communities we serve.”

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation, said, “We are proud of this partnership with HDFC Bank to deliver integrated primary healthcare services at the doorsteps of the communities. Healthcare remains a crucial factor in ensuring the wellbeing and prosperity of a community. Through this meaningful partnership, we are further enhancing our innovative efforts to take primary healthcare to the communities and thereby complementing the government’s mission.”

For this programme, Smile Foundation will manage all MCU operations. This includes deploying MBBS doctors, adhering to ICMR protocols, technology-based progress monitoring, and linking beneficiaries to government health schemes under the National Health Mission. The initiative aligns with national priorities including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), the NP-NCD framework, and the Anemia Mukt Bharat mission.

Beyond this initiative, HDFC Bank Parivartan continues to support healthcare programmes across India. The Bank has partnered with institutions such as the Ramky Foundation and Tata Memorial Hospital, reinforcing its long-term commitment to community health and well-being.

Parivartan, HDFC Bank’s umbrella CSR programme, drives development initiatives across six focus areas: Rural Development; Promotion of Education; Skill Development and Livelihood Enhancement; Healthcare and Hygiene; Financial Literacy and Inclusion; and Environment Sustainability.

About HDFC Bank Parivartan:

HDFC Bank Parivartan is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme of HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank. Committed to sustainable and inclusive growth, Parivartan focuses on critical areas like financial inclusion, education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. Through innovative programmes and partnerships, Parivartan empowers communities and drives positive social change.

Please click here: www.hdfcbank.com

 About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is an Indian development organisation, benefitting 2.5 million children and their families directly every year through thousands of welfare projects in the areas of education, healthcare, skilling and upskilling spread across 27 states of India.  

www.smilefoundationindia.org

2^nd project for Tamil Nadu

Coimbatore; 18 February 2026: Smile Foundation and Berger Paints India Ltd. launched iTrain on Wheels project in Coimbatore. This is the second such project for Tamil Nadu. Earlier this week, an iTrain on Wheels project was launched in Mysuru, also the second such initiative in Karnataka.

Berger Paints India Limited and Smile Foundation came together in 2021 to implement iTrain on Wheels programme. This upskilling initiative is aimed at honing the skills of unorganized paint applicators (household painters) by training them in contemporary painting techniques to enhance their employability and earning opportunities. These training facilities are equal opportunity gender sensitive spaces, which encourage women painter to take part in this upskilling process and lead the change in their life. The paint applicators receive the skilling and training free of cost across 26 states and three UTs of India.

iTrain on Wheels initiative has so far trained 3.15 lakh paint applicators free of cost across the country. The programme is at present operational across 26 states and three UTs of India, covering 503 districts, including 51 aspirational districts.

Each iTrain on Wheels mobile unit is equipped with audio-visual tools, practical training booths and mechanized equipment to demonstrate the painting process more efficient, quicker, cleaner and safer manner. Certified and experienced trainers with industry knowledge and technical competency are deployed with each project.

The courses cover theoretical and practical training in new techniques along with the use of mechanized equipment as well as entrepreneurial and soft skills. Special modules on wood polishing, decorative painting, and body language are also taught during the trainings.

The entire training is free of cost. The painters receive these modern training near their home or workplace.

Mr. Abhijit Roy, MD & CEO of Berger Paints India Ltd. said, “By empowering paint applicators, especially in small towns and villages, we are investing in their future and helping them build a better life both for themselves and their families. We are proud to be a part of their journey towards a brighter tomorrow.”

Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation said, “Skill development plays a crucial role in the nation’s economic and social advancement. India faces a pressing need for skilled workers. We are thankful to Berger Paints India Ltd for its trust and the partnership for this unique CSR initiative which is gradually spreading across India.”

Earlier this month, iTrain on Wheels initiative owned the Business Insight Social Entrepreneurship Project of the Year award for the impactful work being carried out across India. The initiative has also been awarded by Indian Chamber of Commerce, Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Indian Business Award, Bharat CSR & Sustainability Award, and ImpactRoots Award in the last two years for its transformative and impactful contribution to the society.

An independent study on the programme shows that apart from gain in technological knowledge and confidence building, there is a potential improvement in the lifestyle of the beneficiaries.  As many as 73 per cent of the respondents saw an increase in spending on vegetables and other nutritional food. This indicates a prioritization of health and well-being of the entire family and a comfortable standard of living. A significant 74 per cent of respondents have also purchased a vehicle each. It reflects their financial stability and an increase in the ability to realize their aspiration with the change in the income growth after completion of the iTrain programme. There has also been a corresponding increase in multiple expenditure areas related to family members.

Kochi; 9 February 2026: Smile Foundation received the Business Insight Social Entrepreneurship Project of the Year for iTrain on Wheels initiative, supported by Berger Paints India Ltd. The nomination was submitted on the impactful work being carried out across India under iTrain on Wheels upskilling initiative, supported by Berger Paints and implemented by Smile Foundation, during the year 2025. 

The award was conferred by Mr. Rishiraj Singh, IPS (retd.), former DGP of Kerala; during the Biz Connect Summit in Kochi. It was received by Mr. N. I. Joseph, National Head, Sales Excellence & Training, Berger Paints India Ltd., along with Smile Foundation representatives.

iTrain on Wheels initiative has so far trained 3.15 lakh paint applicators free of cost across the country. The programme is operational across 26 states and three UTs of India, covering 503 districts, including 51 aspirational districts.

Berger Paints India Limited and Smile Foundation came together in 2021 to implement iTrain on Wheels programme. This upskilling initiative is aimed at honing the skills of unorganized paint applicators (household painters) by training them in contemporary painting techniques while simultaneously upskilling existing paint applicators (painters) to enhance their employability and earning opportunities. The paint applicators receive the skilling and training free of cost in their vicinity across 26 states of India.

Besides technical skills development, the programme also places a significant emphasis on soft skills training, as well as entrepreneurial skills development.

An independent study on the programme shows that as many as 73 per cent of the respondents saw an increase in spending on vegetables and other nutritional food. This indicates a prioritization of health and well-being of the entire family and a comfortable standard of living. A significant 74 per cent of respondents have also purchased a vehicle each. It reflects their financial stability and an increase in the ability to realize their aspiration with the change in the income growth after completion of the iTrain programme. There has also been a corresponding increase in multiple expenditure areas related to family members.

New Delhi; 28 January 2026: “Inclusion is not a matter of charity or compassion; it is a matter of rights.” With this powerful assertion, Smt. Manmeet Kaur Nanda, IAS, Additional Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), set the tone in inaugural function of the 12th edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY) held today at PHD Chamber of Commerce, New Delhi, calling for a deeper, more humane understanding of inclusion that goes beyond infrastructure and compliance to the transformation of attitudes and hearts.

Addressing a distinguished gathering of policymakers, diplomats, filmmakers, educators, and young audiences, Smt. Nanda reflected on the lived realities of persons with disabilities in India. Citing that India is home to 2.68 crore persons with disabilities as per the 2011 Census—figures widely believed to be a significant underestimation—she highlighted that nearly 80 lakh children with disabilities remain among the most excluded, often denied access to education, public spaces, and even the simple joy of watching a film in a cinema hall. Drawing on landmark jurisprudence, including the Supreme Court’s 2021 judgment in Vikash Kumar vs UPSC, she emphasized that reasonable accommodation is a constitutional obligation, requiring positive measures to ensure equal participation, whether in classrooms or cultural spaces. She cautioned that denial of accommodations, such as extra time for children with dyslexia or admission to children with autism, amounts not to practicality but to discrimination.

Echoing this vision, Santanu Mishra, Chairman, SIFFCY, and Co-founder, Smile Foundation, said, “Childhood is a decisive phase where values and perspectives take root. Through SIFFCY, we use cinema as a gentle yet powerful medium to nurture empathy, resilience, and social awareness among children and youth. Stories that celebrate diversity and inclusion can leave lasting impressions and help shape more compassionate worldviews.”

Expanding on the festival’s global outlook, Jitendra Mishra, Festival Director, SIFFCY, and President, CIFEJ 2025-27, said, “SIFFCY brings together stories from across cultures that reflect the realities and aspirations of young people worldwide. Through carefully curated films and meaningful dialogue, the festival offers young audiences a shared cultural space to explore diversity, creativity, and global perspectives.”

In a deeply personal and compelling address, Smt. Manmeet Kaur Nanda further underscored that true inclusion cannot be achieved through government orders alone. Recalling her experiences as a District Magistrate—of ramps leading to storage rooms and accessible toilets locked away—she stressed that inclusion demands a shift from tolerance to acceptance, and from acceptance to celebration. She described cinema as a uniquely powerful medium to build empathy and dismantle prejudice, particularly when children see protagonists with disabilities portrayed not as objects of pity or inspiration, but as fully realized human beings. Highlighting the film Little Big Dreams, created by children with special needs from Ladakh, she noted that inclusion is truly realized when children become creators of their own narratives, asserting their full humanity and creative agency.

The 12th edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY), an initiative of Smile Foundation, is being held from 28 January to 3 February 2026, celebrating Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility through cinema for young audiences. The festival is being organised in partnership with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and the Delegation of the European Union to India.

Conducted in a hybrid format, SIFFCY features film screenings, workshops, panel discussions, and award ceremonies at PHD House, New Delhi, alongside outreach screenings across more than 100 locations nationwide, including schools and community spaces. A curated selection of films is also available on the festival’s secure, geo-blocked virtual platform, ensuring nationwide access. Remaining non-profit, non-ticketed, and fully accessible, SIFFCY 2026 showcases over 150 films from more than 35 countries. and presents prestigious honours including the ECFA Award, CIFEJ Award, and the Film Critics Circle of India (FCCI) Award.

SIFFCY 2026 opened with the Polish-Czech co-production, Grandpa Let’s go! The festival is bringing more than 100 films from 20 European member states. A delegation of five filmmakers and festival directors from Poland are also participating in SIFFCY with the support of Polish Institute New Delhi.

The focus country in SIFFCY 2026 is the Netherlands, in collaboration with the embassy of the Netherlands. In addition, specially curated films from Germany, Italy, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Estonia are part of this year’s festival.