Year: 2026

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.

New Delhi; 28 January 2026: The 12th edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY), an initiative of Smile Foundation, opens in New Delhi. This year, the unique festival is celebrating Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility through cinema for young audiences.

SIFFCY 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.

SIFFCY 2026 opened with the Polish-Czech co-production, Grandpa Lets 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 will be part of this year’s festival.

Conducted in a hybrid format, SIFFCY is featuring film screenings, workshops, panel discussions, and award ceremonies at PHD House, New Delhi, alongside outreach screenings across over 100 locations, including schools and community spaces, nationwide. A curated selection of films is also available on the festival’s secure, geo-blocked virtual platform, ensuring nationwide access. The festival remains non-profit, non-ticketed, and fully accessible.

Chief Guest, Ms. Manmeet Kaur Nanda, IAS, Additional Secretary, DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, GOI, said, “Initiatives such as SIFFCY play a critical role in shaping inclusive thinking from an early age. I commend Smile Foundation for placing accessibility, equity, and participation at the centre. True inclusion is achieved not only through intent, but through structures that enable persons with disabilities to participate fully and with dignity. Cinema can be a powerful medium in building empathy and awareness among young audiences.”

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.”

The festival showcases over 150 films from more than 35 countries, with special focus on Poland, The Netherlands as Country of Focus, and curated selections from Europe and beyond. Prestigious awards including the European Children’s Film Association Award (ECFA), the CIFEJ Award (formed under UNESCO), and Film Critics Circle of India (FCCI) Award are also part of the programme.

Celebrates Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility through Good Cinema

New Delhi; 20 January 2026: Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY), an initiative of Smile Foundation, announces the official selection for the 12^th edition of the annual film festival scheduled to take place from Jan 28 till Feb 3, 2026 across several locations in India.

The theme of this year’s festival is Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, which is being celebrated in partnership with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India and the Delegation of the European Union to India.

This year too, SIFFCY will be organised in a hybrid format, enabling the festival to reach a wider and more diverse young audience across the country. The key festival events, including the opening and award ceremonies, workshops, panel discussions and major premiers will take place at PHD House, New Delhi, from 28 to 31 January 2026. Simultaneously, multiple film screenings and associated activities will be conducted in numerous schools and communities across more than 100 locations nationwide.

In addition, a curated selection of programmes will be available on the festival’s secure, geo-blocked virtual platform, allowing audiences across India to engage with the festival throughout the week. This is a non-profit initiative that is entirely Free of Charge (Non-Ticketed) and fully accessible to all, on pre-registrations basis.

Official Selection 2026

Feature Films in Competition:

1. Elvis Starling by Boris Jurjaševič from Slovenia
2. The Crown Prince and the Return of the Tyrant by Tord Danielsson from Sweden
3. Stitch Head by Steve Hudson from Germany, Luxembourg
4. I Accidentally Wrote a Book by Nóra Lakos from Netherlands, Hungary
5. Grandpa, Let’s Go! By Olga Chajdas from Poland, Czech Republic
6. Bird of a Different Feather by Manohara K from India
7. The Prank by Benjamin Heisenberg from Germany, Switzerland
8. Dupki by Abhay Punjabi from India
9. The Treasurer and Secret of the Magic Silverpiece by Tomasz Jurkiewicz, Poland
10. Bear Cubs on the Green by Yin-Sheng Lin from Taiwan

Short Films in Competition:

1. Deva Aaj Pan Vhey by Amol Jadhav from India
2. Down in the Dumps by Vera Van Wolferen from the Netherlands
3. Martha and Mary by Verónica Ramírez from Mexico
4. Songs of Springs by Swaraj Priyo from India
5. Fly, bird, fly! By Rabeah Rahimi from Germany
6. To Fly by Mohsen Khademi from Iran
7. Hoofs on Skates by Ignas Meilūnas from Lithuania

Films nominated for Next-Gen Award (Films made by Students):

1. U.R.B.Y from Singapore
2. Malmequer em Flor from Portugal
3. The Ramune Soda Girl from Taiwan
4. Till the Sun Set from the United Kingdom
5. Yungay from Spain
6. Chitrit from India
7. The Lie of the Mountain God from China
8. Upya from India
9. Primitiv from Malaysia

This year, SIFFCY is highlighting Poland’s rich cinematic legacy by dedicating a special day as Poland Day, featuring multiple curated film sections and the presence of several guests from the country. The Netherlands is the Country of Focus for this edition. In addition, the festival will present a thoughtfully curated selection of films for young audiences from Germany, the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Sweden and several other countries, offering Indian viewers a diverse and engaging international cinematic experience.

Santanu Mishra, SIFFCY Chairman, Producer of ‘I am Kalam’ and Co-founder of Smile Foundation says, “Childhood is a crucial and decisive phase of human life. The lessons we learn, the habits we make as children, it stays with us forever. Therefore, it is important that we sensitise our youngsters with a positive value system, early.” He adds, “Good cinema can play a crucial role in shaping the young minds, and can even help fight issues such as depression, loneliness, and aggression that children and young adults are getting prone to.”

The 12th edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY) will showcase over 150 films, including feature films, animation, short films, and documentaries created by professional filmmakers, children, and students from more than 35 countries. The films will be presented across five distinct sections: International Competition (feature and short films), 70MM Smile (World Panorama), The Yellow Carpet (Indian Showcase), Next-Gen (films by film students), and Take One (films made by children).

Festival Director, Jitendra Mishra who himself is a National award winning filmmaker and current president of CIFEJ says, “The 12th edition of SIFFCY celebrates inclusion and diversity through powerful global cinema. With multiple film screenings, workshops, panel discussions, and inspiring international voices, we aim to engage, empower, and broaden young minds through shared stories—offering young audiences a truly global and transformative cultural experience.”

The festival will also host several prestigious awards, including the ECFA Award (European Children’s Film Association), the CIFEJ Award (formed under UNESCO), and the Film Critics Circle of India (FCCI) Award.

Six distinguished jury panels, comprising acclaimed filmmakers, educators, programmers, critics, and industry leaders from over 20 countries, have been constituted to evaluate films across the various competitive sections. In addition, more than 100 young participants from over 30 countries will join online to judge the short films as part of the festival’s Young Jury Programme this year.

SIFFCY is an initiative by Smile Foundation to entertain, engage, educate and empower young minds. It is based on a strong belief that good cinema represents much more than entertainment; rather this is the most powerful medium to depict the reality and emulate values. Film becomes an interesting and engaging alternative to stimulate discussion among young people about vital personal, societal, moral and world issues. https://siffcy.org/