Dear readers and supporters,

For us, working in the development sector, the last year brought good news, as India became the first country to make Corporate Social Responsibility mandatory, under the Companies Act 2013. This is a significant move towards achieving sustainable and inclusive growth of the country.

The Cover Story brings out different facets of the CSR mandate, elaborating on the evolution of CSR in India – from one-time philanthropic grant to integrated strategic policy. Partnering with credible NGOs is an imperative step in making CSR effective, particularly when it comes to service delivery on the ground. On the other hand, NGOs will get to learn from the management expertise of the corporate so as to scale up their capabilities for effective delivery of development projects.

In keeping with our belief that Real Work brings Real Change, Smile Foundation has taken its projects into the interiors of India, reaching the unreached in remote rural areas. ‘In Focus’ takes up one such successful project, the Smile on Wheels mobile hospital programme in Barmer, Rajasthan. The project, focusing on women and children, covers 62 villages of the district through three mobile hospital units.

To give you an in-depth understanding of our programmes, from this issue onwards, we have introduced a programme perspective to the developments made in the period. The section is called ‘From the Ground’.

From our children’s exams to summer vacations, new projects to innovative events, programme strengthening to new partnerships, it has been an exciting time for us. We would like to express sincere thanks to all our supporters and well wishers who have encouraged us throughout.

We hope you will find something to smile at on every page you turn, as we bring you stories of change at the grassroots, from different nooks and corners of the country.

Warm Regards