Author: Smile Admin

April 3, 2023: The healthcare industry has taken a monumental leap forward, thanks to the integration of cutting-edge technologies into its operations. And what better way to celebrate this game-changing transformation than through the Elets Global Healthcare Summit and Awards, presented by Elets Technomedia and eHealth Magazine! Held on the 20th of March 2023 at the Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel in Dubai, this event recognised the outstanding achievements of the world’s leading healthcare organisations.

This awe-inspiring summit, themed ‘Opportunities in Healthcare and Technology,’ brought together the brightest minds in the healthcare sector to showcase the limitless potential of technology in transforming the industry. With thought-provoking discussions and insightful presentations from trailblazing innovators, this event was a platform for the game-changers, the rule-breakers, and the pioneers who are shaping the future of healthcare. And let’s not forget about the prestigious Elets Global Healthcare Awards, recognising the visionaries who are paving the way for a brighter and healthier future. It celebrated the efforts of healthcare organisations and technology providers who made significant contributions to the healthcare ecosystem.

Get ready to witness a healthcare revolution like never before!

Award Categories and Winners:

Healthcare Organisations:

Leading Public Health Initiative (NGO) – Smile Foundation
Excellent Work during Covid – Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (Dr. Deodatt Madhav Suryawanshi)
Digital Technology for Doctor & Patient Support – HealthPlix Technologies
Excellence in Stroke Care – Jogo Health Pvt. Ltd.
Excellence in Digital Healthcare Technology Solution & Leading Medical Brand – Lupin Ltd
Healthcare Delivery Brand (Hospitals) – Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute
Digital Technology Solution for Hospitals, Excellent Work during Covid & Excellence in Patient Safety & Centricity – Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited
Leading Public Health Initiative – Apollo MedSkills Ltd.
Emerging Healthcare Delivery Brand – OPENMINDS Psychiatry, Counselling and Neuroscience Center
Digital Technology for Patient Support – Prime Healthcare Group
Excellence in Heart Care, Excellence in Bone & Spine Care & Patient Centric Brand in Women’s Health – Jehangir Hospital
Excellence in Healthcare access and affordability – Zenplus Gulf Medical Response & Ambulance Service
Outstanding Pathology Services & Excellence in High-end diagnostics – SRL Limited
Outstanding Pathology Services – Lifenity International
Outstanding Home Diagnostics Services – U4RAD Technologies / XRAi Digital
Excellence in Healthcare Innovation – Zulekha Hospitals LLC
Leading Global Healthcare Startup – MediPocket
Outstanding Learning and Development Professional in Healthcare & Pharmaceutical industry – Dr. Ameya Ghanekar Consultancy
Excellence in Healthcare access and affordability – Access Clinics – Aster DM Healthcare
Excellence in Multi-Specialty Hospital in India, Excellence in Robotic Surgery, Excellence in Multi-Organ Transplant & Excellence in Quality & Patient Satisfaction – Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital
Excellence in Research and Development – WALTER BUSHNELL DRUGS PVT LTD
Healthcare Delivery Brand (Hospitals) & Excellence in Healthcare Innovation – KIMSHEALTH
Leading Public Health Initiative (Government) – ICMR, Headquarters, New Delhi. (Dr. Neha Kidiley)
Excellence in Cancer Care – Gulf International Cancer Center

Healthcare Leaders:

Leading Diagnostic Leader – Vijay Dhawangale, Founder & Chairman of Lifenity International
Finance Leader in Healthcare – Vineet Bhandawat – Chief Financial Officer
Leader in Patient Centricity – Dr. Rohit Kumar, Medical Director & Specialist General Surgery of International Modern Hospital

Corporates:

Outstanding Digital Health Investor – Govin Capital
Leading Health-tech Brand – Agatsa
Excellence in Pharma Innovation- Digital Marketing Solution – Doceree
Excellence in Digital Healthcare – Cloud Host
Excellence in Digital Print Solutions for Radiology – Accurate
Excellence in Patient Experience – Gotriage.com

We take great pleasure in praising the healthcare organisations for their incredible job. We congratulate each and everyone who received recognition at the Elets Global Healthcare Summit & Awards for their unique and excellent accomplishments.

Source: https://ehealth.eletsonline.com/2023/04/recognising-global-healthcare-organisations-at-elets-global-healthcare-summit-and-awards/

August 2, 2023; New Delhi: A single tele-medicine unit that began in May 2021 in Doha village of Haryana’s Nuh (Mewat) district grew into a project comprising of 10 units at Health and Wellness Centres in this only aspirational district of Haryana. Smile Foundation, in partnership with the Government of Haryana (District Health Administration) and supported by SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited, implemented the project in four blocks of Nuh, covering a population of one million.

The National Health Policy 2017 (NHP 2017) sets the goal of ensuring the highest possible level of health and well-being for all, through increasing access, improving quality and lowering the cost of healthcare delivery. The NHP 17 lays significant emphasis on leveraging digital technologies for enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of the healthcare services. The policy recommends a paradigm shift from the existing silos systems to a holistic and comprehensive health eco-system, founded on the latest digital architectures and technologies.

Tele-medicine is an important domain under the newly constituted National Digital Health Mission, thereby creating an enabling digital health ecosystem in the country. The National Health Authorities (NHA) has announced integration of National Telemedicine Service -eSanjeevani with its flagship scheme – Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

Smile Foundation, with invaluable support from the donor, decided to complement the efforts of the District Health Administration in Nuh. Developing a resilient primary healthcare system, wherein e-Arogya clinics with Tele-Medicine Kiosks, Medicine Vending Machine (MVM), training a cadre of Community Health Officers (CHO) on the grounds, and promoting the public healthcare mandates of the government were part of the collaborative project objectives.

Ten e-Arogya Clinics comprising of Tele-Medicine kiosks with Medicine Vending Machines (MVM)) were established under eight Primary Health Centres (PHCs), covering a target beneficiary of 10 lakh population in all the four sub-divisions of the district of Nuh, namely Ferozepur Jhirka, Nuh, Punhana, and Tauru.

Consultations with general physicians and specialist doctors, free distribution of medicines, screening of NCD (non-communicable disease) and referral to secondary and tertiary healthcare services are being made available to people at these e-Arogya Clinics. In addition, capacity building of the front-line workers and CHOs (Community Health officers) are facilitated by organizing need-based training programmes in consultation with Nuh district health administration.

The tele-medicine project was initiated in the district after fulfilling the infrastructural gaps through refurbishment of ten health and wellness centres, installation of solar power system ensuring round-the-clock electricity supply and internet facility supporting the uninterrupted tele-consultations. The e-Arogya clinics generate electronic health record (EHR) of the patients and also it keeps the record of non-communicable disease (NCD) that was shared with the government.

Until now, these 10 e-Arogya clinics have benefited over 35,000 individuals directly, of which 52 per cent beneficiaries are women. Community women, who could not think of going outside the village, have got the opportunity to take care of their health and wellbeing.  This has also created an enabling eco-system, encouraging the communities towards availing relevant health entitlements and affirmative action as mandated by the government.

“Smile Foundation and SBI Card were associated with us for these projects. The outcomes through these telemedicine centres, the 10 e-Arogya clinics, have helped patients to avail the services of specialist consultations without having to travel far. The OPDs increased with the e-Arogya clinics and was helpful for the NCD screening and data recording. Now the integration of these centres in e-Sanjeevani will lead to steady rise in tele-consultation ensuring availability, accessibility and affordability of healthcare services in the remotest areas. We welcome such joint collaborations improving the health indicators in an aspirational district like Nuh,” said Dr. Sarvjeet Thapar, Civil Surgeon, District Health Administration, Nuh.

“We are very happy with the outcome and the efforts. Now onward, we are integrating these initiatives within the government mechanism so that it is widely adopted by community people, benefits them continuously and it remains sustainable,” said Dr. Ravi Kant Sinha, Deputy Civil Surgeon (Family Welfare).

“We thank SBI Card for supporting this innovative project and we appreciate the District Health Administration, Nuh for showing confidence in Smile Foundation. I am glad that our collective effort has shown results in the area of ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being, as envisaged in the Sustainable Development Goals (SGD– 3),” said Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation.

For the sustainability of e-Arogya clinics, all the 10 tele-medicine units under Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness centres are now integrated with e-Sanjeevani, the flagship National Telemedicine Service of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. These are being handed over to the district health department, Nuh. A two-day special training session has also been organized for all the Community Health Officers (CHOs) to ensure effective management of the machines and devices too.

Source: https://www.apnnews.com/tele-medicine-projects-set-example-in-govt-corporate-non-profit-collaboration/

August 1st, 2023; New Delhi: A single tele-medicine unit that began in May 2021 in Doha village of Haryana’s Nuh (Mewat) district grew into a project comprising of 10 units at Health and Wellness Centres in this only aspirational district of Haryana. Smile Foundation, in partnership with the Government of Haryana (District Health Administration) and supported by SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited, implemented the project in four blocks of Nuh, covering a population of one million.

The National Health Policy 2017 (NHP 2017) sets the goal of ensuring the highest possible level of health and well-being for all, through increasing access, improving quality and lowering the cost of healthcare delivery. The NHP 17 lays significant emphasis on leveraging digital technologies for enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of the healthcare services. The policy recommends a paradigm shift from the existing silos systems to a holistic and comprehensive health eco-system, founded on the latest digital architectures and technologies.

Tele-medicine is an important domain under the newly constituted National Digital Health Mission, thereby creating an enabling digital health ecosystem in the country. The National Health Authorities (NHA) has announced integration of National Telemedicine Service -eSanjeevani with its flagship scheme – Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

Smile Foundation, with invaluable support from the donor, decided to complement the efforts of the District Health Administration in Nuh. Developing a resilient primary healthcare system, wherein e-Arogya clinics with Tele-Medicine Kiosks, Medicine Vending Machine (MVM), training a cadre of Community Health Officers (CHO) on the grounds, and promoting the public healthcare mandates of the government were part of the collaborative project objectives.

Ten e-Arogya Clinics comprising of Tele-Medicine kiosks with Medicine Vending Machines (MVM)) were established under eight Primary Health Centres (PHCs), covering a target beneficiary of 10 lakh population in all the four sub-divisions of the district of Nuh, namely Ferozepur Jhirka, Nuh, Punhana, and Tauru.

Consultations with general physicians and specialist doctors, free distribution of medicines, screening of NCD (non-communicable disease) and referral to secondary and tertiary healthcare services are being made available to people at these e-Arogya Clinics. In addition, capacity building of the front-line workers and CHOs (Community Health officers) are facilitated by organizing need-based training programmes in consultation with Nuh district health administration.

Tele-medicine Projects

The tele-medicine project was initiated in the district after fulfilling the infrastructural gaps through refurbishment of ten health and wellness centres, installation of solar power system ensuring round-the-clock electricity supply and internet facility supporting the uninterrupted tele-consultations. The e-Arogya clinics generate electronic health record (EHR) of the patients and also it keeps the record of non-communicable disease (NCD) that was shared with the government.

Until now, these 10 e-Arogya clinics have benefited over 35,000 individuals directly, of which 52 per cent beneficiaries are women. Community women, who could not think of going outside the village, have got the opportunity to take care of their health and wellbeing.  This has also created an enabling eco-system, encouraging the communities towards availing relevant health entitlements and affirmative action as mandated by the government.

“Smile Foundation and SBI Card were associated with us for these projects. The outcomes through these telemedicine centres, the 10 e-Arogya clinics, have helped patients to avail the services of specialist consultations without having to travel far. The OPDs increased with the e-Arogya clinics and was helpful for the NCD screening and data recording. Now the integration of these centres in e-Sanjeevani will lead to steady rise in tele-consultation ensuring availability, accessibility and affordability of healthcare services in the remotest areas. We welcome such joint collaborations improving the health indicators in an aspirational district like Nuh,” said Dr. Sarvjeet Thapar, Civil Surgeon, District Health Administration, Nuh.

“We are very happy with the outcome and the efforts. Now onward, we are integrating these initiatives within the government mechanism so that it is widely adopted by community people, benefits them continuously and it remains sustainable,” said Dr. Ravi Kant Sinha, Deputy Civil Surgeon (Family Welfare).

“We thank SBI Card for supporting this innovative project and we appreciate the District Health Administration, Nuh for showing confidence in Smile Foundation. I am glad that our collective effort has shown results in the area of ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being, as envisaged in the Sustainable Development Goals (SGD– 3),” said Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation.

For the sustainability of e-Arogya clinics, all the 10 tele-medicine units under Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness centres are now integrated with e-Sanjeevani, the flagship National Telemedicine Service of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. These are being handed over to the district health department, Nuh. A two-day special training session has also been organized for all the Community Health Officers (CHOs) to ensure effective management of the machines and devices too.

Source: https://mycsrindia.com/tele-medicine-projects-govt-corporate-collaboration/

NEW DELHI, DELHI, INDIA, July 13, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — Smile Foundation, an Indian development organization, is known for its life-cycle approach of development centered around children and their families. The organization has been piloting projects focused on integrating relevant technological applications in the areas of child education, especially in remote rural areas and underserved urban communities.

The recent pandemic might have brought devastation and uncertainty across the globe. However, it did fast-track some disruptions and prepone significant opportunities which might have taken longer time to be adapted. India seems to have gained the most from the disruptions, most prominently in the area of education.

In the meanwhile, estimates have put India as the world’s most populous country. This has also brought up the necessity to harness the demographic dividend. It begins with children, and their education.

India seems to have found a homegrown, new formula. Digitization and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 have every potential to further the reach and efficacy of child education in India. With 1.5 million schools and 250 million children, India’s education system is one of the largest in the world too.

The government in India swiftly and diligently responded to the COVID-19 induced lockdown and used digital wherewithal to ensure continued schooling for children. The Indian government also launched a plethora of apps, channels, portals and other tools to facilitate online learning.

Smile Foundation, like a few other civil society organizations, also explored and researched the available options in government and private sectors, with an objective to complement the governmental efforts. Undoubtedly, digitization in education continued to find prominence in the endeavour to create access as well as efficacy for quality education in a revolutionary way.

Digitization of education in India is going to be in the scheme of things in the realm of the future of learning. In the meantime, the Government of India has defined different channels and taken several initiatives to disseminate educational and pedagogic means and sources across the country.

Even the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes digitization as well as the use of technology in education. Another focus is on education technology for further training, especially in rural areas. This initiative is primarily meant to provide quality education, especially within tier-2 and tier-3 towns, and villages. What looked like a distant dream in the recent past seems to be a reality soon.

Even though digital mode of education in India is booming, there are a few major challenges that might come on the way of its growth. Places with low internet connectivity may find it difficult to access the facilities. Training the teachers swiftly in such a large country may need more resources and collaboration. Only those teachers and administrators who are technically sound can conduct digital classes and also make it effective for the students. Uniformly and quickly, all schools require to have proper facilities for digital classrooms too.

However, on the brighter side, there is a way forward for the future of digital education in India. Developing e-content in local languages would help teaching and learning more effective, going by the diversity of the linguistic map. Virtual labs and skill development courses may also be added to schools. Priority will gradually be given to getting access to digital education anytime, anywhere. In order to get the best e-learning resources; however, teachers have to upskill themselves accordingly.

“Application of AI (artificial intelligence) in the areas of personalization of education and experiential learning in the near future will bring exciting outcome,” opines Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation. He adds, “Government-corporate-civil society collaboration in the area of education is going to be more synchronized and need-based in the coming days as child education will continue to remain a common cause and one of the national priorities.”

“Education technology and digitization of education has given us an opportunity to reimagine the teaching-learning process within Mission Education initiative of Smile Foundation.” says Seema Kumar, Education Specialist at Smile Foundation. “Education technology and digitization of education have the potential to transform the way we approach education by enabling personalized learning, expanding access to education, and promoting collaboration and creativity. These will play a crucial role in the future of education, and it will likely continue to evolve and shape the way we teach and learn in the years to come.”

Smile Foundation has been working in 26 states of India, benefitting more than 1.5 million children and their families every year through various welfare projects focusing on children, their families and the communities.

Sandip Nayak
Smile Foundation
+91 11 4312 3700
[email protected]

Source: https://www.asiapacificnewsjournal.com/article/644334423-smile-foundation-mulls-ai-integration-and-more-digitization-in-mission-education

NEW DELHI, DELHI, INDIA, July 13, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — Smile Foundation, an Indian development organization, is known for its life-cycle approach of development centered around children and their families. The organization has been piloting projects focused on integrating relevant technological applications in the areas of child education, especially in remote rural areas and underserved urban communities.

The recent pandemic might have brought devastation and uncertainty across the globe. However, it did fast-track some disruptions and prepone significant opportunities which might have taken longer time to be adapted. India seems to have gained the most from the disruptions, most prominently in the area of education.

In the meanwhile, estimates have put India as the world’s most populous country. This has also brought up the necessity to harness the demographic dividend. It begins with children, and their education.

India seems to have found a homegrown, new formula. Digitization and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 have every potential to further the reach and efficacy of child education in India. With 1.5 million schools and 250 million children, India’s education system is one of the largest in the world too.

The government in India swiftly and diligently responded to the COVID-19 induced lockdown and used digital wherewithal to ensure continued schooling for children. The Indian government also launched a plethora of apps, channels, portals and other tools to facilitate online learning.

Smile Foundation, like a few other civil society organizations, also explored and researched the available options in government and private sectors, with an objective to complement the governmental efforts. Undoubtedly, digitization in education continued to find prominence in the endeavour to create access as well as efficacy for quality education in a revolutionary way.

Digitization of education in India is going to be in the scheme of things in the realm of the future of learning. In the meantime, the Government of India has defined different channels and taken several initiatives to disseminate educational and pedagogic means and sources across the country.

Even the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes digitization as well as the use of technology in education. Another focus is on education technology for further training, especially in rural areas. This initiative is primarily meant to provide quality education, especially within tier-2 and tier-3 towns, and villages. What looked like a distant dream in the recent past seems to be a reality soon.

Even though digital mode of education in India is booming, there are a few major challenges that might come on the way of its growth. Places with low internet connectivity may find it difficult to access the facilities. Training the teachers swiftly in such a large country may need more resources and collaboration. Only those teachers and administrators who are technically sound can conduct digital classes and also make it effective for the students. Uniformly and quickly, all schools require to have proper facilities for digital classrooms too.

However, on the brighter side, there is a way forward for the future of digital education in India. Developing e-content in local languages would help teaching and learning more effective, going by the diversity of the linguistic map. Virtual labs and skill development courses may also be added to schools. Priority will gradually be given to getting access to digital education anytime, anywhere. In order to get the best e-learning resources; however, teachers have to upskill themselves accordingly.

“Application of AI (artificial intelligence) in the areas of personalization of education and experiential learning in the near future will bring exciting outcome,” opines Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation. He adds, “Government-corporate-civil society collaboration in the area of education is going to be more synchronized and need-based in the coming days as child education will continue to remain a common cause and one of the national priorities.”

“Education technology and digitization of education has given us an opportunity to reimagine the teaching-learning process within Mission Education initiative of Smile Foundation.” says Seema Kumar, Education Specialist at Smile Foundation. “Education technology and digitization of education have the potential to transform the way we approach education by enabling personalized learning, expanding access to education, and promoting collaboration and creativity. These will play a crucial role in the future of education, and it will likely continue to evolve and shape the way we teach and learn in the years to come.”

Smile Foundation has been working in 26 states of India, benefitting more than 1.5 million children and their families every year through various welfare projects focusing on children, their families and the communities.

Sandip Nayak
Smile Foundation
+91 11 4312 3700
[email protected]

Source: https://www.americanewsobserver.com/article/644334423-smile-foundation-mulls-ai-integration-and-more-digitization-in-mission-education

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

Vadodara, July , 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 twomobile 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 theGovernment’s vision ofqualityhealthcare 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 Smile Foundation to roll out two mobile medical units in Vadodara. The two mobile healthcare units will provide primaryhealthcare 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 strengthenthe 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.

Source: https://tejgujarati.com/?p=3219

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren inaugurated a slew of health projects in the state on Wednesday evening.

At a function in Ranchi, Hemant launched 206 new ambulances, oversaw the signing of MoU between the health department and Smile Foundation for the launch of five new mobile medical units (MMU) in partnership with MSD Pharmaceuticals, inaugurated regional blood transmission centre and blood storage centres along with release of apps for booking of Mamata Vahans and Swasthya Jyoti app to avail treatment under the chief minister critical illness treatment scheme.

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren inaugurated a slew of health projects in the state on Wednesday evening.

At a function in Ranchi, Hemant launched 206 new ambulances, oversaw the signing of MoU between the health department and Smile Foundation for the launch of five new mobile medical units (MMU) in partnership with MSD Pharmaceuticals, inaugurated regional blood transmission centre and blood storage centres along with release of apps for booking of Mamata Vahans and Swasthya Jyoti app to avail treatment under the chief minister critical illness treatment scheme.

The government is using 337 such ambulances and with the launch of these new ambulances, the total strength would increase to 543.

Hemant also flagged off MMUs to be operated in five districts of West Singhbhum, Sahebganj, Chatra, Dumka and Garhwa. The programme, ‘Smile on Wheels,’ aims to benefit more than 2 lakh people. The initiative will reach nearly 60 villages across these districts.

“The programme’s primary objective is to strengthen and supplement the government’s healthcare system and enhance accessibility, availability and affordability of quality primary healthcare services in rural areas. Each mobile medical unit will be equipped with qualified doctors, para-medical staff, point-of-care and diagnostic services, and medicines,” said a spokesperson of the foundation.

The Smile on Wheels programme deploys well-equipped mobile medical units with specialised doctors, nurses, medical staff, and medicines to villages and underserved communities.

Source: https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/mobile-medical-units-swasthya-jyoti-app-jharkhand-chief-minister-hemant-soren-inaugurates-slew-of-health-projects/cid/1950368

New Delhi: Film from the Czech Republic ‘Even Mice Belong in Heaven’, where two mortal enemies, mice and fox become best of friends in the animal heaven moved the heart of the jury to bag three awards. It included the Best Feature Film and the Best Story (Children) awards at the ongoing Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY). The international film festival is held every year to recognise creative talent and to encourage children and youth-centric cinema.

‘Gandhi & Co’ becomes the lone Indian film to win an award during this year’s SIFFCY. Produced by Mahesh Danannavar and directed by Manish Saini, Gandhi & Co is a light-hearted Gujarati comedy movie. It depicts a story taking along Gandhian values of harmony and honesty in an entertaining way. This film won two awards, namely in the best director and best actor categories.

SIFFCY is a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to inspire, impress and entertain children. The week-long event is showing over 150 handpicked films from across the globe for over 100,000 school children across India through 50 simultaneous screenings. It provides filmmakers with an opportunity to connect with young audiences too.

“Cinema, with its larger-than-life characterisation, awe-inspiring depiction and inherent unique power, will continue to remain relevant as one of the best creative tools. Using good cinema, we want to contribute to positive societal change that begins with the young minds. With our 10th edition next year, we want to reach one million young audience,” said Santanu Mishra, Chairman of SIFFCY and Executive Trustee & Co-founder of the Smile Foundation.

The unique film festival serves as a platform to promote children’s films and create awareness about the importance of quality cinema for young audiences, and this is a step towards achieving that goal. SIFFCY aims to encourage and recognise the efforts of filmmakers who produce quality cinema for children across the globe.

Here are some of the winners for this year’s awards and categories, which include both animated and inspiring films.

1) International Competition, Best Feature Film (Children): Even Mice Belong in Heaven, The Czech Republic, France, Poland and Slovakia

2) Best Feature Film (Youth): Oskar & Lilli, Austria

3) Best Actor Award: Dhyani Jani and Hiranya Zinzuwadia for Gandhi & Co (Gujarati), India

4) Best Story Award: Even Mice Belong in Heaven, The Czech Republic, France, Poland and Slovakia

5) Best Short Film Award: Why Did the Giraffe’s Flower Fade (Persian), Iran

6) Best Next Gen Award (Film made by Children): The Most Boring Granny in the Whole World (German), Germany

7) ECFA (European Children’s Film Association) Award for best film: Even Mice Belong in Heaven

8) CIFEJ (International Centre of Films for Children & Young People) Award for best film: Tales of Franz (German), Germany

9) Film Critics Circle of India (FCCI) Award for best film: Tales of Franz, Germany

10) Best Director: Manish Saini for Gandhi & Co (Gujarati), India

11) Best Short Film (Children) by Young Jury: Witch Fairy, Belgium

12) Best Short Film (Youth) by Young Jury: You Have Many Parts (German), Germany

Two categories were specifically adjudged by the Young Jury (comprised of 50 children and youth from five countries), recognising the best short films made for young people. ‘Witch Fairy’ from Belgium won the Best Short Film (Children) award, while ‘You Have Many Parts’ from Germany was awarded the Best Short Film (Youth).

Santanu Mishra added that in recent years, there has been a growing demand for children’s films in India, and efforts are being made to produce more of them. Through our efforts, we want to recognise and encourage young filmmakers to produce age-appropriate content that can cater to the potential and the need of the hour. This initiative not only promotes creativity but also helps shape the minds of young viewers.

“The festival aims to promote the art of filmmaking and encourage children to appreciate and create cinema that reflects their own unique perspectives. On the sidelines of screening films, every year workshops, training and orientation programmes, and interactive sessions with filmmakers are organised under SIFFCY to inspire young minds to explore the ever-evolving world of cinema also as a future career option,” explained Mr. Jitendra Mishra, SIFFCY Festival Director.

Smile Foundation is a national-level development organisation directly benefitting over 1.5 million children and their families every year, through more than 400 welfare projects on education, healthcare, livelihood and women empowerment, in over 2000 remote villages and slums across 25 states of India.

Smile Foundation is also a widely respected brand known for its continuous innovations and strives to sensitise the privileged mass across the globe so that they come forward, take on the social problems of the world as personal challenges and fight them back. And in order to grab their attention, Smile Foundation has been developing films as a core area, which are creative, innovative and are a balance of the right content and the right quality.

This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.

Source: https://www.torontosuntimes.com/news/gandhi-co-lone-indian-winner-in-siffcy-23-european-films-sweep-awards20230424194850

New Delhi, April 24, 2023: Film from the Czech Republic ‘Even Mice Belong in Heaven’, where two mortal enemies, mice and fox become best of friends in the animal heaven moved the heart of the jury to bag three awards. It included the Best Feature Film and the Best Story (Children) awards at the ongoing Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY). The international film festival is held every year to recognise creative talent and to encourage children and youth centric cinema.