When we started Smile Foundation nearly two decades back, our belief in the power of education had been absolute, and we were sure as Nelson Mandela’s famous words go that “education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”

It was only when we started working on the ground that we realized that education alone was not enough, and we initiated our work in healthcare, nutrition and livelihood. But it is equally true that education is really the beginning of empowerment and when we look at it in a wholesome way, everything else – nutrition, health and livelihood are all logical extensions of education.

The Cover Story of this issue of Smilescapes looks at the journey and evolution of India’s education system from the introduction of RTE to the New National Educational Policy, and the gaps that were laid bare by the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

The In Focus segment goes beyond the definition of education as it is normally perceived. From the need to build awareness of health and hygiene among rural women, to unlearning what we know and learning to understand a disaster from the perspective of community resilience and readiness, and further to embracing and humanizing technology as a sector – here’s a holistic and multi-dimensional view of what the idea of education encompasses.

We are also delighted to share with you some inspiring updates right from the ground, and with a lot of gratitude, a sneak peek into the partnerships and events that helped us raise awareness and support around the causes we work for.

Hope you find the Smilescapes an interesting read!