Author: Smile Team

International Women’s Day is considered a movement to bring equality and we celebrate this day for its righteous cause. Started in 1911, its roots lie in the labour movement. The cause for which women fought against — poor working conditions — has since evolved drastically.

Today, the challenges faced by women across the world range from equal pay to access to quality education. Though significant progress has been made with involvement from the government, academia, industry, and the social sector, a ground-up approach needs to be adopted to help young girls develop as strong women leaders of tomorrow.

Nishtha Satyam, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women, told News18, “Today, India has seen several women trailblazers in virtually every STEM field — from defence research and aeronautical systems to India’s Mars Orbital Mission-2. With women comprising 48% of the Indian population, we clearly need more women engineers, technicians, scientists and researchers, and it is up to all of us to show girls and young women that their contributions, creativity and abilities are of immense value and potential.”

A study published by Quest Alliance cites that women constitute only about 14% of the 2,80,000 scientists and engineers in research and development institutes in India.

This alarming number is a clear indication of the low participation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines though education institutes and schools in India clearly outline the need for developing STEM mindsets early on to boost creativity and help develop problem-solving skills.

Dr Rashmi Vij, principal, Police DAV Public School, Jalandhar, said, “Children are curious and question how things happen but, as they grow older, we see that they start to lose curiosity. This is because of our previous education system which has primarily not been able to address creativity, and with the New Education Policy in place, we see the integration of STEM and creative subjects like arts coming forward. I believe that STEM is not just an array of subjects but a way of life, a way of teaching and a way of learning. We are now looking at not just STEM but STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math).”

SETTING UP STEM LABS

But this effort cannot be executed in silos, where a single stakeholder takes the responsibility. Corporates and NGOs need to align efforts to achieve the common goal. Speaking to News18, Himani Gupta, company secretary and legal counsel at Airbus Group India and South Asia, resonated the sentiment. “We as corporates have an important role in investing and developing our future generation. From identifying why girls are not taking science subjects to setting up STEM labs, we are in a position to help young girls understand their true potential and shape the next generation women leaders.”

Santanu Mishra, co-founder and executive trustee, Smile Foundation, also agreed. “There is still a large gap when it comes to equal access and opportunity between boys and girls, men and women — right from primary education, which further amplifies in higher education or while seeking a job. When it comes to subjects like mathematics or science, gender-based preconceptions also play an adverse role in demotivating girls to specialise in the same. These issues must be overcome if we want our daughters to rise to their true potential.”

This shows a deep-found resonance among the corporates, academia and NGOs to help young girls grow up as capable individuals, and as we celebrate this women’s day, we hope that through imparting the right set of skills and training in STEM, this becomes the new norm across the country.

Smile Foundation has been able to build a high-trust and high-performance culture, and the award certification has been accorded in recognition of this, according to the Institute.

Coming during the period of the pandemic, the certification is indicative of the strength of the team at Smile Foundation and the work culture that the organization has been able to create and cultivate.

Speaking about the recognition, Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation said, “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean. Every journey is driven by the people who undertake it, more so the journey of change – right from the people who initiate it with an idea, to the people who work every day to execute it, and finally to all the people whose lives are being impacted by it. These people, thinking, acting, committed individuals, are the real force behind any successful enterprise and when they work together, they can do miracles.

Smile Foundation’s journey too has been made possible by the painstaking efforts of many such passionate individuals, who have added immense value to the organization, continually striving to bring change at the grassroots. Together, they all make Smile what it is.

Today, our team has given us yet another reason to celebrate, and we would like to share this humble achievement with you.”

Every year, more than 10,000 organizations from 60 countries partner Great Place to Work Institute for assessment and benchmarking. Great Place to Work Institute’s methodology is recognized as rigorous and objective and is considered the gold standard for defining great workplaces across organizations.

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation, is an NGO in India directly benefitting over 15,00,000 children and their families every year, through more than 400 live welfare projects on education for poor children, healthcare, livelihood and women empowerment, in over 2000 remote villages and slums across 25 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families, and the community.

New Delhi: Smile Foundation has been certified by the Great Place to Work® Institute as a Great Place to Work®. Smile Foundation has been able to build a high-trust and high-performance culture, and the award certification has been accorded in recognition of this, according to the Institute.

Coming during the period of the pandemic, the certification is indicative of the strength of the team at Smile Foundation and the work culture that the organization has been able to create and cultivate.

Speaking about the recognition, Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation said, “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean. Every journey is driven by the people who undertake it, more so the journey of change – right from the people who initiate it with an idea, to the people who work every day to execute it, and finally to all the people whose lives are being impacted by it. These people, thinking, acting, committed individuals, are the real force behind any successful enterprise and when they work together, they can do miracles.

Smile Foundation’s journey too has been made possible by the painstaking efforts of many such passionate individuals, who have added immense value to the organization, continually striving to bring change at the grassroots. Together, they all make Smile what it is.

Today, our team has given us yet another reason to celebrate, and we would like to share this humble achievement with you.”

Every year, more than 10,000 organizations from 60 countries partner Great Place to Work Institute for assessment and benchmarking. Great Place to Work Institute’s methodology is recognized as rigorous and objective and is considered the gold standard for defining great workplaces across organizations.

International Women’s Day 2021: While the pandemic has impacted almost everybody, women, especially in marginalised rural communities have been hit harder and one of the biggest challenges faced by them during this unprecedented crisis has been ‘access to food’

New Delhi: “A mother can do anything to provide the best to her child. I have a seven-month-old grandson and I understand it is essential for his growth to have a nutrient-rich diet. Hum khud nahi khayege ek baar ko, par bache ko jo de sakte hai wo zaroor dege (We adults can skip a meal but we will feed our child for his well-being)”, said 46-year-old Manwara Begum, an informal waste collector from Delhi. Manwara Begum also works as a cleaner at a post office but a salary of Rs. 7,000 and some additional income that she generates by sorting and selling recyclable waste is not sufficient to put food on the table for a family of six. To make ends meet, Manwara, the sole breadwinner of the family either borrows money or cuts down on basic needs like food.

“Pet bharne ke liye khaana to hai hi, chahe roti-namak hi khaaye (Food is needed to fill your stomach, even if it means you eat roti with salt), said 30-year-old Nanhi, waste picker turned artisan and a resident of Ghazipur Dairy Farm in Delhi.

Nanhi works at a Delhi based NGO Gulmeher Green and earns Rs. 6,400 per month. Nanhi’s husband has been out of work for over two years now which means the burden of running the five-member household rests with Nanhi. Talking about how she feeds her family on such a meagre salary, Nanhi said,

“Often children request for a particular food item or dish but there are days when we sleep on an empty stomach, how do we fulfil our children’s demands? We have to turn down their request and if they are adamant, we beat them up.

NDTV reached out to women from different cities, states and circumstances to understand the challenges faced by them on a daily basis to feed their families and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their lives.

46-year-old Manwara Begum, an informal waste collector from Netaji Nagar in Delhi is the sole
breadwinner for a family of six
Giving a peek into her family and life, Manwara Begum told NDTV,

“My husband is a drug addict that means whatever little he earns by collecting and selling recyclable waste is spent on buying drugs. I registered him for de-addiction therapy but doctors there said that his body is so used to drugs that he will die if he doesn’t get it. Essentially, now I have to support his addiction. Two years ago, my elder son (22-year-old), who was the sole breadwinner of the family, got a head injury that affected his brain. We have spent Rs. 60,000 on his treatment but all in vain. Now he just sits at home and doesn’t talk to anyone. My daughter-in-law wants to work and support the family but then who will take care of her kid? My younger son (18-year-old) is trying his luck in dancing.

When asked how the family managed during the COVID-19 lockdown when all workplaces were shut, Manwara Begum said she herself was at home for three months and senior officials at the post office supported her family financially by providing some money. The family’s food requirements were met through the free ration initiative – Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana – announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of the pandemic relief package. Under PMGKAY, foodgrains were distributed to all the 80 crore beneficiaries under Targeted Public Distribution System- those under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH). Along with foodgrain each beneficiary household (each ration card no matter how many members) also got 1 kg dal/gram (chana) per month.

“We have a ration card through which we get 16 kg wheat and 4kg rice every month. During the lockdown, the government provided us double ration and one kg of pulses for free, said Manwara Begum.

30-year-old Nanhi, waste picker turned artisan and a resident of Ghazipur Dairy Farm in Delhi is a
mother of three children
But for women like Nanhi who do not have a ration card to access the government’s support, organisations like Gulmeher Green and Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group came to the rescue.

“I have three daughters aged between 5 and 13. Two of them study in a government school and as part of the mid-day meal, it’s only in February both of them got dry ration, said Nanhi.

As an artisan at NGO Gulmeher Green, Nanhi upcycles waste materials into paintings, poster, wall hangings, among other things. But during the lockdown, since the demand for such products was low, Nanhi and her team were given the task of stitching face masks which brought in some money.

“In 2020 I applied for a ration card and I am yet to receive one. On March 3, I took a day off from work, giving away a day’s salary only to go and check the status of the ration card. They said, come after Diwali, 2021; ration card should be ready by then. I cannot take a leave every other day and the officials are not giving any explanation behind the delay as well, said Nanhi.

Rudani Devi and her family at their tea shop at Wapcos Road, Sector 18, Gurgaon
Just like Nanhi, Rudani Devi from Sarhol village in Gurugram (Gurgaon) is also waiting for her ration card for over a decade now. Rudani Devi hails from Madhubani, Bihar but soon after marriage, she came to Gurugram along with her husband and together they run a small tea stall at Wapcos Road, Sector 18, Gurgaon. Talking about the hardships brought in by the COVID-19 and lockdown, Rudani Devi’s husband K.C. Pandit said,

“Before the lockdown, we used to make Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,000 a month. Additionally, I would often take up odd jobs like loading and unloading and bring Rs. 200 to Rs. 400. During the lockdown, all sources of income were shut. We thought of going back home but people around us advised against it because there was no conveyance, we have three children and the disease was spreading like a wildfire. Anand Sir, one of our regular customers, who works in a nearby factory once gave me Rs. 500 and said, you can still survive in a city but you won’t if you try walking back home.

Further talking about how the couple fed their children, Mr Pandit said, they would eat at the government’s food distribution drives and bring home some for their children. He added,

“NGOs like Smile Foundation also stepped up and provided dry ration. We applied for a ration card in May, 2007 on our village address but we don’t know what the status is now.

Mr Pandit said that life is slowly coming back on track as things unlock but what still scares him the most is the lockdown period when the family was petrified of stepping out of the house, contracting the disease and eventually dying.

“We didn’t know what to do, where to go, who to ask for help. We were scared of going to a neighbour’s place also.

Source : https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/international-womens-day-2021-covid-19-pandemic-impact-on-women-and-their-struggle-to-feed-their-families-57186/

New Delhi: Internationally aclaimed, Odisha born Filmmaker & promoter Jitendra Mishra has been selected Jury for the prestigious ”24th Montreal International Children’s Film Festival – FIFEM” scheduled from 27 Feb-07 March 2021 in Quebec province of Canada. Jitendra is one of the Professional Juror in the six member Jury panel of the fest to select both best film for the “Montreal Grand Prix” Award and “European Children’s Film Association” Award winners of this year.

FIFEM is one of the biggest and most credible festivals for young people across the globe. The festival is held annually with a mission to train the film lovers of tomorrow, by offering them a range of the best global youth cinema. It aims to complement the school career, through educational activities that provide young people with the means to acquire a visual understanding of cultures, traditions and experiences that may be foreign to them. Due to the current pandemic situation the festival will be held online for the first time.

Born in Titilagarh of Bolangir district, Jitendra Mishra is one of the few Indian film Producers & promoters who have been able to create a benchmark in ‘Alternative methods of Film Production, Distribution & Promotion’ at international level. Committed towards meaningful cinema, Jitendra has already been associated with the production, distribution and promotion of more than 110 films in various categories in different capacities. His recent production ‘The Last Color’ directed by Michelin Starred Chef Vikas Khanna, starring Neena Gupta has already been travelled to more than 50 international festivals & won 15 different awards so far. His current Indo-Italian co-production ‘Human OAK’ directed by Italian filmmaker Ulisse Lendaro has been gaining wide global accolades these days; the film was recognized as the only international co-production from India shot during Covid-19 lockdown. Jitendra has also been the festival director of the leading children & youth festival ‘SIFFCY – an initiative of Indian’s leading development organization Smile Foundation’ (Smile Int’l FF for Children & Youth) since it’s inception.

“This year’s first festival as Jury, I am going to watch more than 20 latest films from across the globe that will help me understand the current global trends of filmmaking & industry after pandemic, at the same time it’s an opportunity to learn &, exchange ideas among the global industry leaders & implement them in our own endeavors. I feel honored and thankful to the General & Artistic director Jo-Anne Blouin for this invitation & grateful to the management of Smile Foundation for their continued support, encouragement & guidance,” said Jitendra on this occasion.

As the festival director of SIFFCY Jitendra Mishra is elected President for the most credible and oldest global children & youth media network CIFEJ this year.

Awarded with the prestigious ‘Son of Odisha’, ‘Young Jury, ‘Youth Icon’, ‘Youth inspiration’ and many other national & international awards, he is also an active member of Cannes producers network.