Author: Smile Team

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.

Ranchi, India, July 5, 2023: Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Shri Hemant Soren, flagged
off Mobile Medical Units in partnership with MSD Pharmaceuticals and Smile Foundation. Shri
Banna Gupta, Minister of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare; Shri Rajesh Kachhap,
MLA Khijri; Shr. Ramachandra Singh, MLA Manika; Shri Arun Kumar Singh, Additional Chief
Secretary, Department of Health, Medical Education & Family Welfare; Smt. Vandana Dadel,
Principal Secretary to the CM; Shri Alok Trivedi, Mission Director National Health Mission,
Jharkhand were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.

The program, called ‘Smile on Wheels,’ aims to support the districts of West Singhbhum,
Sahebganj, Chatra, Dumka & Garhwa in Jharkhand benefiting more than 2 lakh people. The
initiative will reach nearly 60 villages across these districts. The program’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. It will provide free OPD services and medicines,
improve the health status of pregnant and lactating mothers, raise awareness about
immunization, antenatal/postnatal care, and support access to secondary and tertiary
healthcare. These efforts aim to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses on healthcare, vulnerability
to diseases, and promote health-seeking behaviour. It will seek to improve maternal health,
promote institutional deliveries, increase diagnostic rates, and improve overall community
health.

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Shri Hemant Soren said, “I believe that information,
awareness, compassion, along with a proper system are crucial to make healthcare available to
people. I am sure that innovative and collaborative programme such as this will complement our
efforts.”

Rehan A. Khan, Managing Director, MSD Pharmaceuticals India said, “At MSD, we want to
improve the health of the people. We are pleased to partner with the government in our shared
mission of enhancing healthcare access. This collaborative effort between the government,
MSD Pharma and SMILE Foundation underscores the importance of working together to
address healthcare challenges and improve the well-being of citizens.”
Neelima Dwivedi, Executive Director – Public Policy, Communications & Market Access, MSD
Pharmaceuticals India said, “Through our community interventions, our aim is to improve
access to healthcare across the country by strengthening and supplementing the government’s
efforts especially in the aspirational districts called out by the NITI Aayog. We are confident that these initiatives will make a huge impact and help improve the health and lives of people in
these districts.”

Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation said, “Promoting good
health and well-being, as enshrined in Sustainable Development Goals – 3 is a crucial element
in the nation’s growth. We are glad to play a significant role in complementing the governmental
efforts in Jharkhand.”

Vikram Singh Verma, Executive Director of Smile Foundation said, “We are thankful to MSD
Pharmaceuticals India for their support and grateful to the Government of Jharkhand for the
opportunity and confidence in us to help deliver crucial healthcare services at the grassroot. I
am sure that our healthcare experience across India will be useful in achieving our collective
mission.”

The Smile on Wheels program deploys well-equipped mobile medical units with specialized
doctors, nurses, medical staff, and medicines to villages and underserved communities,
ensuring crucial access to healthcare services. The program’s objective is to ensure improved
healthcare services reach the doorstep of people residing in unserved or underserved areas.

***

About MSD Pharmaceuticals

For 130 years, MSD has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for
many of the world’s most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve
lives. MSD is a trade name of Merck & Co., Inc., with headquarters in Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A.
We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing access to
health care through far-reaching policies, programs, and partnerships. Today, MSD continues to
be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals —
including cancer, infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola, and emerging animal diseases —
as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world. For
more information, visit www.msd.com and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. 

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.

Please visit www.smilefoundationindia.org

Media Contacts:

MSD Pharmaceuticals
Shibani Shah: [email protected]
Krisha Doshi: [email protected]

Smile Foundation:
Sandip Nayak: [email protected]

Garhwa, 7 th of July 2023: Shri Mithilesh Kumar Thakur, Honourable Minister for Drinking Water &
Sanitation, Government of Jharkhand flagged off Smile on Wheels mobile medical unit for the
people of Garhwa district from the Sadar Hospital premises. The project is being supported by MSD
Pharmaceuticals and implemented by Smile Foundation. Dr. Anil Kumar, Civil Surgeon cum Chief
Medical Officer, and Shri Praveen Kumar Singh, District Programme Manager also graced the
occasion.
“This is a great initiative for Garhwa district as this will complement the government’s efforts in
serving the rural population. I thank MSD Pharmaceuticals, especially Neelima Dwivedi ji, for
choosing Jharkhand for its CSR initiative. I am sure that Smile Foundation will bring its best of
expertise as the implementing partner of this Smile on Wheels project,” said Hon’ble Minister, Shri
Mithilesh Kumar Thakur.

About the Project in Jharkhand

MSD Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd and Smile Foundation has been working in the state of Jharkhand in 5
districts i.e. Garhwa, Chatra, Dumka, Sahibganj and West Singbhum to reach approximately 2,25,000
beneficiaries through Mobile Medical Units called Smile on Wheels.
Smile on Wheels programme focuses on providing wide range of health services like
● OPD Services will provide curative health care services to the community, which include health
check-ups, Point of Care tests, medicines and counselling.
● Referral Services: The project will act as a bridge between the community and the government.
Linkages will be established with the Primary Health Care Centers and Government Hospitals
● To ensure safe motherhood, the project will provide Ante-Natal Care and Post-Natal Care Services
on the ground
● Awareness Programme: Information Education and Communication (IEC/BCC) activities will
promote health seeking behaviour and preventive actions in the community
● Networking & Liasioning: will be done with Government and Community stakeholders to ensure
smooth operations and create single window to make the health services available

About the Project in Garwha

Project Reach – 45,000 rural beneficiaries
Team Composition – The team comprises of Community Health Officer, Doctor, Nurse, Community
Mobilizer and Driver.
Equipment and Technology: The Smile on Wheels mobile medical unit is equipped with Oxygen
Cylinder, Nebulizer, Blood Pressure Regulator, Thermal Scanner, Oximeter, Foetal Doppler, Weighing

Machine, Point of Care Test Kits (covering Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, UPT etc.), GPS tracker and
Digital Patient Database Management System.

About MSD Pharmaceuticals

For 130 years, MSD has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for
many of the world's most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve
lives. MSD is a trade name of Merck & Co., Inc., with headquarters in Kenilworth, N.J.,
U.S.A. We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing
access to health care through far-reaching policies, programmes, and partnerships. Today,
MSD continues to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten
people and animals — including cancer, infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola, and
emerging animal diseases — as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive
biopharmaceutical company in the world.

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.

Media Contact:

Sandip Nayak | 8800744001 | www.smilefoundationindia.org