Home >>
Special Updates
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cover Story   |
What's New   | Special Mention   | New Associations   | Media Updates
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Butterflies raining for Smile


Seema Kohli tutors the kids


Andpersand magazine, renowned artist Seema Kohli and Le Meridian hotel came together in order to present a unique event “Butterfly Rain”. This was an innovative fundraising event by the children, for the children and of the children. Smile Foundation was honoured as the charity partner for this unique event and has received part of the funds raised from the event.Under the tutelage of artist Seema Kohli, ten children from across the country painted their dream butterflies. These butterflies were added to the artist’s collection of 100 exquisite hand-painted butterflies embellished with 1500 carat of precious gems. The whole collection was further auctioned for raising funds for the education of underprivileged children. Among the ten children also were the lead cast of Smile Foundation’s I am Kalam, Harsh Mayar and Husaan Saad, who got the opportunity to work closely with Seema Kolhi in making the butterflies.

Speaking about the selection of the theme for the event artist Seema Kohli says “Butterflies always surrounded our home , and as a child I spent my days chasing after them. I thought of them constantly, dreamt of them, studied them and even tried to take them up as a profession. And then one day they disappeared. I have been searching ever since. The great tragedy of our planet is played out in the little tragedy of the butterflies.”

  

I am Kalam screened for Real Kalam


Former Indian President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
Congatulates Smile Team for making I am Kalam

Before the theatrical release of I am Kalam in India, Smile Foundation organised a special screening of the award winning film for the former Indian President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. C0-Founder and Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation and producer of ‘I AM KALAM’ - Santanu Mishra, Director Nila Madhab Panda along with the two little heroes of the film Harsh Mayar and Husaan Saad were present to meet Dr. Kalam while it was being screened at his residence. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is the inspiration behind the movie and it was screened to him to take his blessings before its theatrical release. The film focuses on Child labour and promotes education as the right of all children. With this film Smile is trying to reach out to world’s audience drawing their attention to support the cause of Sending Every child to School. On watching the film, Dr. Kalam asked the producer Santanu Mishra and director Nila Madhab Panda to ensure that the film reaches rural schools and colleges too. Getting an appreciation from the inspirer himself is yet another achievement for this film.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am Kalam screened for the
adolescent inmates of Tihar


Screening of I Am Kalam for Tihar inmates

Smile Foundation screened its award winning film I am Kalam, for the adolescent inmates of Tihar Correctional Institution. The screening was done with special permission from Shri Neeraj Kumar IPS – Director General of Prisons. This film is the story of fighting against difficult circumstances and never giving up hope for a better future. Smile Foundation believes that these young people convicted with various degrees of crimes are only victims of unfortunate and difficult circumstances and wrong guidance. Given an opportunity, they would certainly try and make a better future for themselves just like the rest of the youth of the country. The Foundation therefore screened the film for the adolescent inmates with a hope that the positivity of the film sparks positivity in the lives of these troubled youth. I am Kalam has so far won 15 awards and is the first ever feature film to be produced by a development organization.

Speaking about this special screening Shri Sunil Gupta – Law Officer, Tihar Prisons said “This is a very kind gesture of Smile Foundation to screen the film for the people here. I want to convey my heartiest regards to Smile Foundation and wish them luck and great success in their future endeavours."

  

UTV Movies specially screens
Havai Dada for Smile


Anupam Kher along with kids from Smile Foundation

and great success in their future endeavours.”

UTV Movies organized a special preview of their recent production Havai Dada for Smile Foundation. The occasion was graced by multi-faceted veteran actor Anupam Kher. Anupam Kher, who is the protagonist of the film, interacted with kids sharing his experience from the movie. The actor and the kids both enjoyed the joyful interaction they had. Speaking about the screening Anupam Kher says: “It was a wonderful experience to watch the film with the kids of Smile Foundation. Their reactions to the film were overwhelming and we had a truly enjoyable time together”.

Harish Nandan Sahay, Director Smile Foundation said, “It is our pleasure that UTV Movies organised a special screening of the film for our children. The children indeed had a great time watching the film, and that too along with Mr. Anupam Kher. It is very good to see that more and more films are being made to inspire and encourage children so that they pursue a right course of life. This clearly reflects that we as a nation do realize that grooming children about positivity is what makes them positive individuals and better citizens of the country.”

Kids turn fashion designers

Smile Foundation partnered for the second time with Cotton Council International for its pan India t-shirt designing competition – TeeZing. This competition was held across seven cities Delhi, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore. People, across all ages, were invited to express their creativity on the theme “Cotton for all Seasons” to participate in the competition. Children beneficiaries of Smile Foundation also actively participated in TeeZing and showcased their creative talent. Leading personalities from the creative, design and fashion industry of all the seven locations were invited as jury for the competition. Some renowned designers also joined the children during the competition to mentor and guide them. Winners of the competition were awarded with attractive prizes.