Author: Smile Team

Announces official selections

150 Films from 40 countries to be screened; 50 locations covered

 

New Delhi:  Smile Foundation is hosting the 10th edition of the annual Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY) in partnership with the European Union (The delegation of the European Union in India). SIFFCY in its 10^th year has put together a diverse list of films from India and abroad to be organized in a hybrid model. The main celebrations, including the opening and award ceremonies, are happening at the PHD House, New Delhi during 9-11^th April. SIFFCY will also be hosted at 50 different locations across India simultaneously, making it the largest and biggest film festival in the country.

 

The European Union and its member countries such as Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland will be taking the center-stage as the countries of focus this year. SIFFCY 2024 will have various categories such as International Competition (Feature and Shorts), 70MM Smile which features World Panorama Feature and non-feature films, while the Yellow Carpet segment celebrates the diverse Indian Regional Cinema in Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Rajasthani, Karbi, Garhwali, Nepali etc. Films made by Children can be viewed at Take One and Extra Smiles brings together the best of SIFFCY from the earlier editions as well as classics.

 

Multiple special showcase this year includes 10 films made by the students of BATA University, the Czech Republic, to be presented by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in India. Eight Classic Animations (1990s / 35mm) curated by TV Studio Animated Films, Poland will be presented by acclaimed film personality from Poland Mr. Jerzy Moszkowicz along with the Polish Institute New Delhi. Eight Award winning films from Germany are to be presented by SCHLiNGEL Int’l Film Festival. Multiple films made by children from more than 30 different countries (including the USA, Spain, Columbia, Portugal, Belgium, Ukraine, Croatia, Greece, Austria, Germany, Estonia, Australia, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Malaysia) and films on environment, family values, inclusion, disability, friendship, art and culture, war and peace and many other important topics will be made available for the young film lovers.

 

“I believe that good cinema is one of the most powerful media to depict reality and to emulate values. Good cinema has the power to stimulate discussion and contemplation in young minds about personal, emotional, societal and moral duties, thereby enabling them to become better and stronger individuals. With a platform like SIFFCY, we want to contribute towards bringing positive societal change that begins with the young minds,” says Mr. Santanu Mishra, Chairman of SIFFCY and Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation.

 

“As we celebrate the 10^th anniversary edition of the festival, this year we are trying to reach out to a larger young audience in multiple locations across the country and spread extra smiles. We are going to screen 150 films from 40 countries, besides hosting ten different types of film-related interactive sessions and capacity building workshops for children and youth free of cost,” SIFFCY Festival Director Mr. Jitendra Mishra said on this occasion.

 

SIFFCY will see sizeable participation by schools and communities across India. Screenings and programmes are scheduled to tap young, imaginative minds. Selected films and programmes will also be streaming on a dedicated, secured, geo-blocked virtual platform of the festival for a larger audience throughout the week. SIFFCY intends to continue with his mission of reaching out to as many children and youth as possible and bring together an entertaining and enlightening format.

 

SIFFCY’s journey over the last decade has brought together a milieu where professional filmmakers and young amateurs have brought forward the best of audio-visual medium. Keeping the tradition alive, this year SIFFCY will host 50 young Jurors from across the world, besides 30 International Professional Jurors from 15 countries.

 

SIFFCY is the only non-European Festival to host ‘European Children’s Film Association Award (ECFA) and the only Indian Festival to host CIFEJ Award supported by UNESCO.

 

SIFFCY this year will organize 10 different workshops, masterclasses and panel discussions on wide-ranging topics like environment, family values, war and peace, road safety amongst others.

 

ABOUT SIFFCY

SIFFCY (Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth) 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/

Films from Taiwan, France, South Korea, Belgium, the Netherlands and India win awards at Smile International Film Festival

150 Films from 40 countries participated in various categories

New Delhi:  The 10th edition of the annual Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY), organized by Smile Foundation in partnership with the European Union (The delegation of the European Union in India), announced film awards in numerous categories in New Delhi. German film Weekend Rebels won a maximum of five awards in various categories. Weekend Rebels enthralled the audience and the jury with its fine craft of storytelling, besides displaying good theatrical and directorial acumen. Marc Rothemund won the best director award and Cecilio Andresen won the best actor for Weekend Rebels. The film also won the FCCI Award along with International Competition Feature Film (CHILDREN) and (Story).

SIFFCY is the only non-European Festival to host ‘European Children’s Film Association Award (ECFA) and the only Indian festival to host CIFEJ Award supported by the UNESCO. Kung Fu Lion from the Netherlands won the ECFA award, while the CIFEJ Award went to ICARUS and The Minotaur from Luxembourg, France and Belgium.

In another notable category, the Next Gen award was bagged by animation film Kasang Alun from India. The Young Jury award was conferred to Hannah meets Hannah from South Korea while 30 Days from Taiwan won the International competition short film.

The 10^th edition of Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY) witness sizeable participation from various schools and young audience. Panel discussions on Road Safety, regional cinema, children cinema and green screen brought forward insights and diverse views on the topics.

Mr. Santanu Mishra, Chairman of SIFFCY and Co-founder of Smile Foundation said, “It is a momentous occasion for all of us at Smile Foundation as we showcase a decade of good cinema through SIFFCY. We believe that cinema plays a pivotal role in shaping the young minds. We will carry forward our mission to engage young audience creatively and meaningfully to strengthen the value system in our society. Good content and work of art bring lots of opportunities and, in this digital age, platform like SIFFCY has a significant role to play.”

Mr. Santanu Mishra is also the producer of the much acclaimed film; I am Kalam.

 

LIST OF WINNERS AT SMILE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FEATURE FILM (YOUTH)

ICARUS AND MINOTAUR | LUXEMBOURG, FRANCE, BELGIUM

 

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FEATURE FILM (CHILDREN)

WEEKEND REBELS | GERMANY

 

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FEATURE FILM (STORY)

WEEKEND REBELS | GERMANY

 

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FEATURE FILM (ACTOR)

CECILIO ANDRESEN FOR WEEKEND REBELS

 

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FEATURE FILM (DIRECTOR)

MARC ROTHEMUND FOR WEEKEND REBELS

 

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION SHORT FILM

30 DAYS | TAIWAN

 

NEXT GEN

KASANG ALUN | INDIA

 

YOUNG JURY

HANNAH MEETS HANNAH | SOUTH KOREA

 

European Children’s Film Association Award – ECFA AWARD

KUNG FU LION | NETHERLANDS

 

CIFEJ AWARD

ICARUS AND THE MINOTAUR | LUXEMBOURG, FRANCE, BELGIUM

 

FCCI AWARD

WEEKEND REBELS | GERMANY

 

About SIFFCY

SIFFCY (Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth) 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/

Children should dream big and art & culture is essential for inspiration: EU Ambassador, Hervé Delphin

Cultural exchange will bring world peace and harmony: Mishra

New Delhi, April 10: Given the impact of good cinema on young minds, Smile Foundation is considering creation of a SIFFCY Fund to encourage making films specifically for children and youth, says Santanu Mishra, co-founder of Smile Foundation. Mr Mishra is the brain behind SIFFCY and is also its chairman. He informs that various stakeholders have been approaching the organisation in order to create such a fund that could further support and promote good cinema meant for children and youth in the country. 

The biggest feature of creativity is that it is not threatened by artificial intelligence and no creative person will be under-appreciated because of AI, Santanu said while inaugurating the 10^th edition of the ‘Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth’ (SIFFCY) in New Delhi. Being held in collaboration with the European Union, the festival is being organised across 50 locations in India in a hybrid mode. This makes SIFFCY the largest film festival in India. 

The Ambassador of the European Union, H. E. Mr. Hervé Delphin was present at the inauguration of the festival as the chief guest. The European Union and its member countries such as Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland are taking the centre-stage as the countries of focus this year. Many other diplomats from the EU member states also graced the inaugural event. 

The EU ambassador, Mr. Hervé Delphin, during his address conveyed his satisfaction of being a part of SIFFCY once again and appreciated Smile Foundation for this unique initiative. He further said that children globally should dream big and exchange of inspirations in the form of art and culture remained essential. 

The active participation of the European Union in SIFFCY 2024 is aimed at facilitating cultural exchange between the citizens of India and the European Union countries, due to which a sense of understanding, respect and global brotherhood will be strengthened. The sense of belonging that arises between people through the exchange of culture, art and ideas is beneficial for children and youth, who will shape the future course of humanity.

SIFFCY is an initiative of Smile Foundation to entertain, engage, educate and empower young minds. Smile Foundation believes that meaningful work of art, especially good cinema, not only entertains but also leaves an indelible impression on the young minds. As a result, children and youth catalyse a positive change thanks to their way of thinking and their sense of duty towards the society. Good cinema is a powerful medium to depict reality and inculcate values. Meaningful film becomes an interesting and engaging tool to encourage discussion among the youth about important personal, social, moral and global issues too.

Creation and availability of meaningful yet entertaining content tailor-made for young audience becomes more pertinent, considering the unbridled access to a plethora of inappropriate materials.

This year, around 150 curated films from 40 countries are being showcased for the young Indian audience through SIFFCY. 

Mr. Santanu Mishra, SIFFCY chairman and producer of the much-acclaimed film ‘I am Kalam’, states that childhood is the decisive age 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 from the very beginning which will help them become kind and responsible citizens. 

Painters will be trained free of cost, helping them increase their income

Vadodara; May 9: Leading paint company Berger Paints India Ltd. has partnered with Smile Foundation to train painters across India through the ‘iTrain on Wheels’ programme free of cost. The two partners have brought iTrain mobile vans to Vadodara district to upgrade the skills of household painters and enhance their employability and earning opportunities. Under the programme, painters will be trained in contemporary painting techniques, thereby creating a pool of skilled workforce.

This is the third iTrain project in the state of Gujarat. Similar projects have already been operational in Surat and Rajkot districts. The Vadodara project will train promising and existing household painters in the district and the surrounding area free of cost.

The training, conducted by Smile Foundation, will ensure that painters get an opportunity irrespective of gender to improve their existing skills through upskilling modules. In addition to facilitation of training, Smile Foundation shall also monitor and evaluate the programme and its impact assessment.

The mobile training vans are equipped with audio-visual aids, advance painting tools, and advance paints, while the training is imparted by industry experts. The training module comprises of well-designed, crisp and advanced training modules that are required for advanced painting work, appealing household clients and increasing painters’ income.

Smile Foundation is associated with the iTrain on Wheels Programme of Berger Paints since 2021 and so far has trained 3 lakhs painters across the country, successfully and free of cost. As of now there are 23 mobile iTrain projects operational in 25 Indian states and three union territories, covering over 50,000 locations across 300 districts, including 51 aspirational districts.

Mr. N. I. Joseph, National Head – Sales Excellence & Training at Berger Paints says that when the expertise of an Indian social institution like Smile Foundation meets our robust infrastructure across India, we change lives. He further adds that Smile Foundation has been executing the iTrain on Wheels programme across India, helping Berger Paints achieve its social responsibility well.

 

The launch event in Vadodara was attended by several key figures, including the Mr. N. I. Joseph, National Head – Sales Excellence & Training at Berger Paints; Mr. Harshal Ahya, Divisional Manager Retail, Berger Paints; Mr. Indrajit Banerjee, Manager (Operations), iTrain at Berger Paints; Ms. Bipasha Patnaik, General Manager, Smile Foundation; Mr. Kaushik Bandopadhyay, Deputy General Manager, Smile Foundation; and Ms. Joieta Rajput, Assistant General Manager, Smile Foundation.

This first project in MP aims to upskill painters and help increase their income

Indore; May 7: Leading paint company Berger Paints India Ltd. has partnered with Smile Foundation to train painters across India through the ‘iTrain on Wheel’ programme. The two partners have brought iTrain mobile vans to the cleanest Indian city of Indore to upgrade the skills of household painters and enhance their employability and earning opportunities. Under the programme, painters will be trained in contemporary painting techniques, thereby creating a pool of skilled workforce.

This is the first iTrain project in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It will train promising and existing household painters in Indore district and the surrounding area.

The training, conducted by Smile Foundation, will ensure that painters get an opportunity irrespective of gender to improve their existing skills through upskilling modules. In addition to facilitation of training, Smile Foundation shall also monitor and evaluate the programme and its impact assessment.

The mobile training vans are equipped with audio-visual aids, advance painting tools, and advance paints, while the training is imparted by industry experts. The training module comprises of well-designed, crisp and advanced training modules that are required for advanced painting work, appealing household clients and increasing painters’ income.

Smile Foundation is associated with the iTrain on Wheels Programme of Berger Paints since 2021 and so far has trained 3 lakhs painters across the country. As of now there are 23 mobile iTrain projects operational in 25 Indian states and three union territories, covering over 50000 locations across 300 districts including, 51 aspirational districts.

Mr. N. I. Joseph National Head – Sales Excellence & Training, Berger Paints India Ltd., Mr. Indrajit Banerjee, Manager (Operations), iTrain, Berger Paints India Ltd., Ms. Rashmi Jain, Head Business Partnership and Strategic Collaboration, Smile Foundation and Mr. Kaushik Bandopadhyay, Deputy General Manager, Smile Foundation were present during the formal project launch.

Kochi: Smile Foundation with the support from Shell India and in association with Govt. of Kerala organised NXplorers Carnival in Thrissur. The day-long carnival was organised with the aim of providing rural school children a platform to display their scientific prowess. District Education Officer Dr. A. Ansar was the chief guest, while Mr. Saseedaran E., Project Coordinator, Sarva Shiksha Kerala, and Dr. Daison Panengaden, Asst. Professor, Department of Physics, St. Thomas College, were the guests of honour.  

 

As many as 40 selected change projects and innovative ideas from 19 schools in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) were exhibited by 116 students at the carnival. The school children had come up with working models and innovative ideas related to every-day problems, sustainable agricultural practice, controlling emission, nature conservation and many areas linked with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

 

Dr. A. Ansar KAS, DEO, Thrissur said, “I extend my sincere appreciation to Smile Foundation for the exemplary work undertaken in Thrissur district. Through the NXplorers programme, students’ abilities and perspectives are undergoing positive transformation. I congratulate the students for their exceptional scientific creativity in generating solutions to real-world problems We will remain committed to join hands with the organisation for larger endeavours in future too.”

Smile Foundation has been implementing the NXplorers Junior programme, a global flagship social investment STEM educational initiative from Shell, in 77 schools, including 53 government schools and 24 affordable private schools, in Thrissur district of Kerala. The programme aims to benefit school children by enabling them to understand, navigate and address local and global challenges, as underlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme is also aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and it envisions complementing the latter’s objectives.

 

Mr. Saseedaran E, Project Coordinator, Sarva Shiksha Kerala said, “I express my gratitude to Smile Foundation for providing invaluable opportunities to our students. I would like to commend the dedication and initiative demonstrated by both students and the schools in embracing these opportunities wholeheartedly.”

Dr. Jaison Panengaden, Asst Prof Dept. of Physics, St. Thomas College Thrissur said “I am glad to see these young minds identifying solutions for real world problems.”

 

Apart from 77 schools in Thrissur district in Kerala, Smile Foundation has also been implementing the programme in 89 government schools of Tirupati and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh, and 116 schools in Warangal, Khammam, Hanumakonda, Jayashankar Bhupalpalli, Jangaon, Mulugu, Mahabubabad, and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts of Telangana.

 

Nellore; March 7, 2024: Smile Foundation with the support from Shell India and in association with Govt. of Andhra Pradesh organised NXplorers Carnival in Nellore. The day-long carnival was organised with the aim of providing rural school children a platform to display their prowess in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and understanding of the SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals).

The NXplorers Junior is an innovative educational programme that aims to empower young minds to address the complex challenges faced by the world today and to become agents of change. It also provides the tools, methodologies and skills needed to tackle the real-world problems using collaborative, innovative and inter-disciplinary approaches, developing STEM habits of mind through critical thinking and complex problem solving skills are a few other goals. These are underlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, the programme is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and it envisions complementing the latter’s objectives.

Smile Foundation has been implementing the NXplorers Junior programme, a global flagship social investment STEM educational initiative from Shell, in 89 government schools in Nellore and Tirupati districts of Andhra Pradesh.

In addition, 77 government and affordable private schools of Thrissur district of Kerala, and 116 government schools in eight districts of Telangana, that include Warangal, Khammam, Hanumakonda, Jayashankar Bhupalpalli, Jangaon, Mulugu, Mahabubabad, and Bhadradri Kothagudem are covered under this internationally successful programme for school children.

During the carnival, as many as 50 selected change projects and innovative models in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) were exhibited by 140 students from 43 schools from across the district during the carnival. The school children had come up with working models and innovative ideas related to every-day problems, sustainable agricultural practice, controlling emission, nature conservation and many areas linked with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Mr. G. Sudheer, Academic Monitoring Officer, Govt. of AP, said, “Smile Foundation has been conducting this innovative and scientifically creative programme in the government high schools. We are glad to see its impact in developing scientific and technological tempers in students.”

Mr. G. Srinivasulu, District Science Officer, Govt. of AP said, “I am very happy that 51 government schools in Nellore district have been selected for implementing the NXplorers programme by Smile Foundation. This has been igniting critical thinking among the students.”

Nearly 10,000 children benefit from these projects, more than half of those are girls

Feb 22, 2024: Department of Basic Education (Govt. of U.P.), Smile Foundation and Aditya Birla Capital Foundation (ABCF) organized annual Pratibha Puraskar cum Science Exhibitions in eastern Uttar Pradesh districts of Siddharth Nagar and Shravasti. Meritorious children from 37 government schools from the districts participated in the event. Smile Foundation, however, works with 51 government schools in the two aspirational districts.

Pratibha Purashkar is a platform for students to showcase their talent in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) as well as STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics). These students are finalised on the basis of performance in pratibha ki khoj activities which are conducted on school level.

Mr. Jayendra Kumar (I.A.S.), Chief Development Officer, Siddharth Nagar said, “Thanks to the contribution of Smile Foundation which has been working in all 14 blocks, many rural school children of Siddharth Nagar district have now reached the state’s merit list. I would like to appreciate such social organisations for supporting the administration in igniting aspiration of our children.”

In Siddharth Nagar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ms. Anamika, District Coordinator (Girls Education) Mr. Surendra, Block Education Officer Mr. Dharampal, and Jila Aapda Vesheshagya Ms. Pushpanjali also graced the occasion and encouraged the children who had come from across the district. Meritorious children were awarded under two categories, namely scientific innovation and art.

Smt. Kritika Sharma (I.A.S.), District Magistrate, Shravasti said, “I appreciate Smile Foundation for its work and the contribution towards our mission of building a brighter future for our children, especially in rural government schools.” She was the chief guest on the occasion and inspected the models on display and encouraged each school child. The exhibition was divided into two categories namely, innovation and art. A majority of the models and ideas were focused on sustainability, preservation of nature, safety and innovative use of science and technology in daily life.

Ms. Sunita Verma, Block Education Officer, Mr. Girish Kumar Mishra, educationist and DIET Lecturer, and Mr. Sant Kumar, State Resource Group representative graced the occasion in Shravasti district.

Smile Foundation has been working in 36 rural schools in Siddharth Nagar for last five years and 15 rural schools of Shravasti district for two years now, in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh administration and with support from Aditya Birla Capital Foundation (ABCF). The project is benefiting around 10,000 children directly, comprising of more than 50 percent are girls.

The collaborative project involves establishing and running smart classes, installation of smart TV and solar panels, setting up of foundational literacy and numeracy classrooms, creating nutritional awareness, facilitating education governance among others. Smile Foundation has been facilitating regular training of teachers, stakeholders’ management committee, PTM, Mothers-Teachers meetings, raising community volunteers, promotion of tree plantation and kitchen gardens so that children and families can find low-cost local solutions to improve nutrition.

Smile Foundation is an Indian development organisation working across 27 states of India in the areas of education, healthcare, and skilling benefitting 15 lakh children and their families every year.

A free of cost doorstep healthcare service for underprivileged people across 30 villages in and around Vadodara, Gujarat

Vadodara, July 14, 2023: Under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Kotak
Mahindra Prime Ltd. (KMPL) has associated with Smile Foundation, an Indian development
organisation, to launch ‘Smile on Wheels’ initiative, in Vadodara, Gujarat. ‘Smile on Wheels’
will provide free doorstep healthcare through two mobile medical units that will deliver
curative and preventive treatment to underserved people spread across 30 villages in the
Vadodara district of Gujarat. The collaborative efforts of Kotak Prime and Smile Foundation
resonates and complements the Government’s vision of quality healthcare for all.

‘Smile on Wheels’ initiative will enhance accessibly of the underserved to primary healthcare
services and encourage healthcare seeking behaviour in rural clusters of the Vadodara
district. The two Mobile Medical Units (MMU) are well-equipped to benefit underprivileged
people including, pregnant and lactating mothers, and children among others who are
unable to visit a healthcare facility owing to their health condition or mobility issues. Before
the formal launch of this initiative, a month-long pilot of the project was run in Vadodara,
which was conducted with 38 outpatient department (OPDs) benefiting over 2,000
individuals, comprising women and children.

Vyomesh Kapasi, MD & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Prime Ltd. said, “To address the healthcare
needs of the underserved community, Kotak Prime has provided CSR funding to Simile
Foundation to roll out two mobile medical units in Vadodara. The two mobile healthcare
units will provide primary healthcare support to the underserved and improve quality of life
through last-mile connectivity. The Smile on Wheels initiative gives door-step healthcare
access and is our contribution to strengthen the National Health Mission, commissioned by
the Government of India.”

Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder & Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation said, “We thank Kotak
Mahindra Prime Ltd. to support us and complement governmental mission that envisages
achieving universal access to equitable, affordable and quality healthcare services in line
with people's need. We are glad to participate in the public-private developmental
endeavours in ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being as envisioned under the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is crucial in the nation’s progress,”
Kotak Karma is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) identity of Kotak Mahindra Group.

About Kotak Mahindra Prime

Kotak Mahindra Prime limited (KMPL) is a subsidiary of Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited and is in the
business of financing all passenger vehicles & two wheelers. KMPL is India’s leading car finance
company since 1996 and started financing two wheelers since 2018. The company is dedicated to
financing dealers and retail customers. The company offers financing in the form of loans for the
entire range of passenger cars, multi utility vehicles, pre-owned cars & two wheelers. The company
also offers inventory funding and term loans to car & two wheeler dealers. KMPL has preferred
financier relationships with various manufacturers in India and has a retail distribution network
comprising of 133 branches in 23 states in the country and a wide network of direct marketing
associates and agencies supporting its distribution network.

https://www.primeloans.kotak.com

About Smile Foundation

Smile Foundation is a national development organization directly benefitting over 1.5 million
underprivileged children and their families every year through more than 400 welfare projects in
education, healthcare, livelihood and women empowerment spread across 2,000 remote villages
and urban slums in 25 states of India.

www.smilefoundationindia.org

Smile on Wheels is a national-level mobile healthcare initiative from Smile Foundation that benefits
underprivileged communities. Through this programme, well-equipped mobile medical units, along
with specialized doctors, nurses, and medical staff, reach out to villages and underserved urban
communities to provide crucial access to primary healthcare services. As of today, Smile Foundation
has been operating 75 Smile on Wheels projects covering 868 villages and slums in 52 districts across
16 states of India. Till date more than a million children and their families have received free
healthcare services across India.

For further information, please contact:

Revathi Pandit
Kotak Mahindra Bank
Mobile: +91 98202
37909
Revathi.pandit@kota
k.com

Rohit Panchal
Kotak Mahindra Bank
Mobile: 9664225963
Rohit.panchal2@kota
k.com

Suvidha Awle
Weber Shandwick
Mobile: +91
9769777935
Sawle@webershandwic
k.com

Shrenya Priyadarshini
Weber Shandwick
Mobile: +91
7021073983
spriyadarshini@webe
rshandwick.com

Beawar, Rajasthan, 14 July 2023: Smile Foundation has launched its popular mobile healthcare
project named ‘Smile of Wheels’ in Beawar district of Rajasthan. The project will cover 10
identified villages initially and 45,000 people directly benefit from primary healthcare
services. USA-based organisation Pushpa and Val Sapra Family Foundation is supporting the project
in Beawar.

The mobile healthcare unit was flagged off at Suhawa village by Shri. Padam Singh,
Sarpanch; accompanied by Shri. Maan Singh, Deputy Sarpanch; along with Shri Vasu
Khilnani from Pushpa and Val Sapra Family Foundation, Shri. Rajeev Sharma from Smile
Foundation, doctor, paramedics, project management personnel, ward members and
villagers.

Beawar Sarpanch, Shri Padam Singh said, “On behalf of our village and the region, I thank
Smile Foundation, and Pushpa and Val Sapra Family Foundation for this noble cause. The
villagers will get primary health care services at their door steps at free of cost.”
The uniqueness of this mobile healthcare project is its 3A model; meaning availability,
accessibility and affordability. In availability, the project will have a qualified doctor,
paramedic staff, diagnostic equipment and medicines. Under accessibility, all these medical
facilities will be made available to villagers at their doorsteps. The schedule of the mobile
healthcare unit will be made available to people in advance. In affordability, all the services
mentioned above, including OPD and medicines, are free of charges.

Shri Val Sapra, Founder of Pushpa and Val Sapra Family Foundation expressed, “Sapra Family is
grateful to Smile Foundation for fulfilling our dream to initiate Smile on Wheels mobile
healthcare project in the villages around Beawar, our ancestral birthplace.”

The Smile on Wheels mobile healthcare unit will work in coordination with the government.
This will help the government efforts to improve the health status of pregnant and lactating
mothers, children, raise awareness about immunization, antenatal/postnatal care, and
support access to secondary and tertiary government healthcare services.

Shri Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation said, “We thank
our supporter for showing confidence in us. The participation of villagers and community
leaders from the very beginning of the project is really encouraging and inspiring. Together,
we will complement the government’s efforts in making primary healthcare available to
people, especially to children, young mothers and the elderlies.”

These project in Beawar will also aim to reduce vulnerability to diseases and promote health-
seeking behaviour among the villagers. In addition, Smile on Wheels will seek to improve
maternal health, promote institutional deliveries, increase diagnostic rates, and improve
overall community health in coordination with the government efforts.

Smile on Wheels is a national-level mobile healthcare initiative from Smile Foundation that benefits
underserved remote rural and urban communities. As of today, Smile Foundation has been
operating 75 Smile on Wheels projects covering 868 villages and slums in 52 districts across 16 states
of India. Till date more than a million children and their families have received free healthcare
services across India.

About Smile Foundation
Smile Foundation is an Indian development organization directly benefiting over 1.5 million
children and families every year through more than 400 welfare projects on education,
healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment spread across 2,000 villages and slums in
25 states.