Category: Press Releases

Assam/Guwahati : August 29, 2016 : Ravaged by heavy rain followed by floods distressed the normal life and caused a havoc damage in the state of Assam. Floods have completely ruptured normal life in the state and affected close to 19 lakh people and claimed many lives.

Reacting to the pressing needs and tenacity of the situation in Assam, the disaster response team of Smile Foundation, a national level development organisation, actively started aiding the rescue and immediate relief efforts in Assam. The early relief effort initiated with distributing relief kits and necessary supplies, along with focus on providing essential health services.

In a post-flood situation, health becomes a critical issue and an outbreak of epidemics is a fatal possibility. The difficult terrain, devastated roads and lack of proper healthcare infrastructure have further worsen the situation. To address this crucial need, Smile Foundation is deploying health camps in the worst hit villages to address the immediate medical needs of the survivors. The camps will be providing basic health check-ups, medical diagnosis, pathological test facilities, and free of cost medicines to the affected families.

Further need assessment is being carried out to devise short term and long term plans for rehabilitation and revival of the affected children and families in identified flood affected areas.

Smile Foundation Disaster Response Programme:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organization benefitting over 400,000 underprivileged children, their families and the community directly through 158 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment across 26 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

To know more about Smile Foundation, log onto: – www.smilefoundationindia.org

New Delhi : August 19, 2016 : In one of its kind initiative, Indian Institute of Photography in association with Smile Foundation and SIFFCY (Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth) celebrated the International Photography Day on August 19, skilling underprivileged childrenwith the nuances of the art that is increasingly getting acceptance as a profession.

Students of IIP and the underprivileged children of NaiDisha, a Mission Education center of Smile Foundation, shared the same platform over a unique photography workshop arranged by Indian Institute of Photography. Students of IIP demonstrated the quintessential details of photography to the underprivileged children along with giving them a hands on experience on operating a camera and capturing moments. The objective behind this initiative is to promote photography in the different strata’s of the society and to encourage the younger generation towards photography.

Indian Institute of Photography has been associated with Smile Foundation’s initiative SIFFCY (Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth) to promote meaningful cinemas in 2015. Continuing the association, IIP will mark the launch of second SIFFCY by organising photography workshops across India in all centres of Smile Foundation. The best of the photographs will be showcased during the second version of SIFFCY International Film Festival to be held in 5th-11th December 2016 at Sirifort Auditorium in New Delhi.

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organization benefitting over 400,000 underprivileged children, their families and the community directly through 158 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment across 26 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

To know more about Smile Foundation, log onto: – www.smilefoundationindia.org

Michelin starred Chef Vikas Khanna to spread awareness on responsible dinning

Mumbai : October 3, 2016 : Smile Foundation has join hands with Burrp, the online food-tech company, to celebrate Joy of Giving, for the entire month of October. Under this initiative, a campaign called #DINEWITHSMILE has been launched. Starting from 1st till 31st October, the campaign will raise awareness on responsible dinning. Michelin Starred and Goodwill Ambassador for NutritionforBetterLiteracy program, Chef Vikas Khanna, is the face for the campaign and he will work towards generating awareness and inspire more people to join this initiative.

The campaign will be running on online portal where restaurants can join the campaign and support minimum nutrition for 1 kid for a year. This will be a digital campaign that will bring more light to the cause and also create an opportunity for brands in the food space to make a difference in the simplest way.

Speaking on this occasion the Master Chef said “One in every three malnourished children in the world is from India. The consequences are long-term and it prevents children’s overall growth, learning ability, going to school and a chance to come out of the vicious cycle of poverty for yet another generation. Thereby it also prevents the country’s growth. The objective of this initiative is to raise awareness on malnutrition and its overall impact on children and to encourage more people to join this cause and support to bring the much needed change. Through the medium of this initiative, we will not only be able to provide nutrition to underprivileged children but also help them to get better health therefore better education and a brighter future. “

Mr. Vikram Singh Verma, COO, Smile Foundation said, “Dine with Smile is conceptualised in order to bring some real and permanent changes in the lives of the most deserving children across India. Restaurant owners, their clientele along with the sponsors have paved the way to Smile Foundation’s nutrition for better literacy campaign through this month long initiative. We are thankful to Chef Vikas Khanna and Burpp for their support to take this initiative to the next level. ”

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organization benefitting over 400,000 underprivileged children, their families and the community directly through 158 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment across 26 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

To know more about Smile Foundation, log onto: – www.smilefoundationindia.org

Virat Kohli to host the dinner and Chef Vikas Khanna will add Michelin star treatment for the invitees

New Delhi : May 2016 : Virat Kohli Foundation has joined hands with Smile Foundation, a national level development organization, to support the cause of empowerment of underprivileged Children and Youth. As a first step towards this endeavor, a one-of-its-kind charity dinner in Mumbai is going to be organised in June. Virat Kohli himself will host the charity dinner and it will bring together eminent cricketers, industry stalwarts, corporate honchos, Bollywood personalities and achievers from diverse fields. The evening will also have the element of auction of high-end luxury products, entertainment and a five course Michelin starred treatment dinner for 200 distinguished guests.

Speaking on this occasion Virat Kohli Said “Children and Youth are the next generation of students, leaders, entrepreneurs, and the future of the country and there is no better tool other than education to empower them. This initiative is not just about fulfilling their basic needs, but making them able to take care of their own needs – giving them an opportunity to learn, equipping them to face challenges and preparing them to be tomorrow’s leaders. I am glad to be associated with Smile Foundation and contribute towards this endeavor. ”

Today, more than half of India’s population is below the age of 25. In another five years, India is touted to become the country with the largest young population in the world. But nearly 8 million children in India are still out of school – on the streets, working in hazardous conditions, getting involved in illegal activities – far away from the innocence of childhood. The situation of our youth is no different. As per a latest Survey Report by the NSSO, the unemployment rate in India has increased substantially in the last two years with nearly 10.8 million unemployed young men and women. Thus, the soul behind this initiative is to raise awareness and support for the cause of education and skill training for the thousands of less privileged children and youth in India.

Virat Kohli, is one of the most loved, followed youth icons of the day. The place he has created for himself in Indian Cricket and the hearts of cricket lovers at such a young age remains unparalleled. His association with social work brings admiration not only from the cricket arena but from every strata of the society. Through this initiative he will be encouraging youth to reach for their aspirations and will also advocate, inspire and invite more corporate to join the social movement.

Michelin starred chef Vikas Khanna who is the global ambassador for Smile Foundation, advocates the importance of Nutrition for Education. According to Vikas Khanna “Proper nutrition is crucial to bring up our younger generation. Taking the message of importance of nutrition is the need of the hour, so that the future generation of the country doesn’t miss out on other crucial aspects of life. My association with Smile Foundation is to reinsure the fact the no child should miss out education because of the lack of nutrition”. Vikas Khanna has pledged to raise #milliondollar4nutrition and he will auction his premium culinary cookbook “Utsav – a culinary epic of Indian festivals” at the event to support this initiative.

“Celebrities are ambassadors of the society they are from, to the rest of the world. They have the power to influence on millions. People across ages and segments consider them as role models. I would like to thank the British Band “Vamps” and Vishal-Shekhar for their support and to add more strength to the cause of Smile Foundation”. Said Mr. Santanu Mishra, Executive Director and Trustee, Smile Foundation.

“Virat Kohli is one of the most loved youth icons of the day, embodying the hopes, aspirations and dreams of millions of young people across the country. We appreciate philanthropic values of Virat Kohli Foundation. To have him support the cause of empowerment for children and youth strengthens our resolve to reach out to thousands of those unreached young people who are still struggling to come out of the vicious cycle of poverty and help them write their own destinies with the power of education.” Said Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation.

Smile Foundation has been working intensively for the empowerment of children and youth through its education initiatives that provide them with quality education, skills training, proper nutrition, and relevant exposure and opportunities. With the two industry stalwarts Virat Kohli and Vikas Khanna joining this initiative, the movement will step in to the next phase of success.

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organization benefitting over 400,000 underprivileged children, their families and the community directly through 158 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment across 26 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

To know more about Smile Foundation, log onto: – www.smilefoundationindia.org

Mumbai : August 25, 2016 : Internationally acclaimed British band “The Vamps” along with the eminent music composer duo Vishal – Shekhar has come together to support the cause of underprivileged children by extending their support to “Nutrition for Education” campaign of Smile Foundation.

The occasion would give a platform to the child beneficiaries of Smile Foundation to share the same stage with the Vamps and Vishal Shekhar as the children are preparing to perform on some of the foot-tapping numbers of Vishal-Shekhar. The music-composer duo will also perform along with the kids. On this occasion, they will also serve food to the kids as a support to the campaign “Nutrition for Education” and to spread the message of “Importance of Education” for all.

Pledging their support towards the cause, the British Band Vamps said “India has produced & contributed notable personalities, scholars who left their mark in the global platform and continue to do so. Smile Foundation is doing a commendable job by providing education to these children and preparing them towards a bright future who in turn will continue the legacy of India to contribute to the global audience”.

The workThe music sensation composer duo Vishal-Shekhar echoed the same emotion “Education is the most important element of our upbringing as Education empowers us towards a better life and Nutrition for Education plays an important role as it is the essential for proper development of a sound mind and body. We are happy to be a part of this initiative & appreciate Smile Foundation for their effort in eradicating illiteracy. ”

“Celebrities are ambassadors of the society they are from, to the rest of the world. They have the power to influence on millions. People across ages and segments consider them as role models. I would like to thank the British Band “Vamps” and Vishal-Shekhar for their support and to add more strength to the cause of Smile Foundation”. Said Mr. Santanu Mishra, Executive Director and Trustee, Smile Foundation.

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organization benefitting over 400,000 underprivileged children, their families and the community directly through 158 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment across 26 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

Equips these role models with real life skills, hosts one of its kind 2-day residential learning fest

New Delhi : June 30, 2016 : In an effort to build exemplary role models where they are needed the most, Smile Foundation a national level development organization has selected 50 bright, scholar girls from marginalized and poor communities from the slums of Delhi to equip them to face challenges of the modern times.

Held under Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman programme, the capacity building programme imparted practical skills and information to these young scholars, enabling them to explore their potentials and established a positive self image and develop better career perspective. The event took place on 27th and 28th June, 2016 at Viswa Yuvak Kendra, Chankyapuri, New Delhi.

The workshop was conducted under the guidance of subject experts, trainers. It gave them a platform to meet the real life role models from various fields- women entrepreneur, teacher, nurse, fire brigade official, journalist, police woman officer etc.

The program aimed at –
a) Encouraging young girls to share the issues which affect their lives and enable them to understand their potentials and make relevant choices for themselves
b) Providing them a strong Leadership orientation so as to enable young girls to put their best abilities for achieving their life goals as per their interests and aptitude
c) Providing them access to information and opportunities available.

The workshops during this camp empowered these young girls through various activities such as Yoga, Self exploration session, abhivyakti: effective communication through Media and theatre workshop, career counseling session, planning a common future and meeting the real life heroes.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation said “In India, the girl child are usually deprived of their basic rights and education. Through this workshop we want to empower and inspire the younger girls to develop a road map for the future and make them self-aware, confident, take full charge of their own development and become a role model for thousand others.”

Smile Foundation, through its Scholarship programme has initiated efforts for the attitudinal shift of marginalized communities towards the girls’ education. The support is for school and college level girls in Delhi only. Most of the scholars strongly agree that due to Smile’s support they are motivated to achieve desirable education. Their families are also encouraged to continue the education of girl children further. They appreciate changes in the scholars in terms of their confidence, personality and information level.

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organization benefitting over 400,000 underprivileged children, their families and the community directly through 158 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment across 26 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

o commemorate the war heroes and take the legacy of valour to the GenNext

New Delhi : September 26, 2016 : In a fast changing world where histories get easily forgotten, Smile Foundation and ‘India Remembers’ have joined forces to connect our young generation with our armed forces’ glorious traditions of valour and legacy of supreme sacrifices.

To commemorate India’s contribution to the Great War and to honour the veterans of 1965 Indo-Pak War, Smile Foundation as part of the India Remembers project has organized a Commemorative event at the CWGC Delhi War Cemetery on 26th September.

The project will provide a learning opportunity to the children to discover, explore and remember the valour and sacrifice of the personnel of the Indian Armed Forces who lost their lives in the service of the nation since 1914 to till date.

Three significant events fall at the end of September – 23rd September marks the capture of Haifa by the Jodpur and Mysore Lancers during WW1. The day is celebrated as Victory Day. The same date also marks the end of the 1965 Indo-Pak War. 26th September marks the landing of the first Indian troops on European soil during WW1.

As a part of this project children of Smile Foundation have met the war veterans, decedents from the village of Bhondsi, Haryana. From this small village large number of people have laid their lives serving in the defence forces since World War I till now. Adopted as India’s symbol of remembrance, children presented marigold to the war heroes and also gift their commemorative creatives like artworks, letters written for soldiers and perform songs on this occasion. The war veterans and the decedents of the fallen soldiers have shared their experience with the children to inspire, encourage the younger generation.

The whole project is conceived and initiated by the United Service Institution of India (USI) in partnership with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), Flags of Honour Foundation (FOH) and the Big Ideas Company.

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organisation reaching out to more than 400,000 underprivileged children, youth and women directly every year through more than 200 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, youth employability, and women empowerment across 25 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

About USI :

The United Service Institution of India (USI) was founded in 1870 for the furtherance of interest and knowledge in the art, science and literature of National Security in general and of the Defence Services in particular. It is the oldest Institution of its kind in Asia. The Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research (CAFHR) was established in December 2000 under the aegis of the USI after due Consultation with the three Service Headquarters.

Swarovski joins hands with Smile Foundation

Mumbai : March 30, 2016 : It was indeed a memorable day for the kids of Smile Foundation as popular singers Shaan and Sadhana Sargam launched the music of adventure jungle film Shortcut Safaari. The team of this kiddie flick chose to launch the film in an unconventional manner with those special kids from Smile Foundation.

The music album has 5 different kinds of tracks and offers variety for everyone. Shaan has sung Piggy Bank composed by Rohit Sharma. This is a very peppy number in the film which has been picturized on the kids. Sadhana Sargam and Atreyi Bhattacharya have lent their voices to ‘Ek Dhara Ke Jan Gan’ which has been composed by duo Samir-Mana. ‘Bako Sufu’, ‘Zor Lagaa De’, ‘Dip Dip Dara’ are some of the other tracks which provide spunk to the album.

Three times National Award winner Director Amitabha Singh was seen having a gala time playing with the kids.

Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder & Executive Trustee said, “Films play a very important role towards sensitization and Smile Foundation has been making and associating with films which are creative, innovative with a balance of the right content and the right quality. We are glad to be a part of “Shortcut Safari” and confident that the movie will create a lasting impact in the minds of the audience while conveying the underline message.”

Shikha Singhi, Head Films Junglee Music(a division of Times Music), is proud to be distributing the music of ‘Shortcut Safaari’. The film has some immensely talented people behind it, and it surely has its heart in the right place. We are certain that the kids will like the music and the film.

Jimmy Sheirgill starrer Shortcut Safaari is all set to release on 29th April by Rich Junior Entertainment. This adventure film traces the lives of a few school going kids who get lost in a dense forest during their outing. Directed by Amitabha Singh, Shortcut Safari has been screened at various film festivals and applauded a lot for the children’s performances. Amitabha Singh has been the DOP on the Oscar nominated The Good Road. Shortcut Safari features Aashi Rawal, Sharvil Patel, Mann Patel, Ugam Khetani, Stuti Dwivedi, Deah Tandon and Hardil Kanabar. Jointly produced by Xebec Films Pvt. Ltd, Kashyap A Shah & Amigos Fin-o-tainment, Shortcut Safari, aims to deliver a very effective message to conserve Mother Nature.

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organisation benefiting over 300,000 underprivileged children, their families and the community directly through 158 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment across 25 states of India every year. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

Media Relation

Ashwani Shukla

Altair Media

9892236954

Swarovski joins hands with Smile Foundation

Smile Foundation, the Indian associate for the global initiative implemented in Brazil, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and South-Africa

New Delhi : January 27, 2016 : Smile Foundation, a national level development organization, in collaboration with The Wilde Ganzen Foundation, the Netherlands, launched Change The Game Academy www.changethegameacademy.org, a unique and one of its kind, e-learning platform that will offer training to the Grassroot NGOs on sustainable solutions such as – local fundraising, building organizational capacity and mobilizing support to name a few.

The portal will provide free e-learning courses, toolkits, inspiring case studies from across world and tips to replicate the same in Indian context with an active support of an extensive library. Apart from its presence in India, this program is also being implemented in Brazil, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and South-Africa. NGO’s who are interested to undergo this training, have to send a request mail to [email protected] in order to get the full access of the website.

Eventually, these courses will be available at three levels: level A for organisations with limited knowledge and experience, level B for organisations with intermediate, and level C for organisations with advanced knowledge and experience in each domain. This initiative will not only strengthen the capacity of Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and Grassroot Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in India but also will connect them with a global platform.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Sanatnu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation said, “As an organization Smile Foundation has always aimed to identify, handhold and build capacities of genuine grassroots NGOs to achieve accountability, sustainability, scalability and leadership. We are glad to be associated with The Wilde Ganzen Foundation to take our mission to the next level. We are hopeful that by leveraging technology, Small scale NGO’s now can operate in a more structured and effective manner.”

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national level development organisation reaching out to more than 400,000 underprivileged children, youth and women directly every year through 158 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, youth employability, and women empowerment across 26 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.

About The Wilde Ganzen Foundation:

Wild Geese Foundation since 1958 supports people in their efforts to achieve a better future for their community. In addition to supporting small-scale projects, Wilde Geese Foundation invests in domestic resource mobilisation and claim making capacity in low & middle income countries for structural, long term change.