'Art and Smile' to empower Girl Children through education
Smile Foundation hosted “Art and Smile”, a contemporary art show in association with Fervour and The Ritz-Carlton Bangalore. The show was an evening of seminal awakenings with curated and affordable art, aimed at empowering girl children by raising support for their education.
Many renowned artists supported the cause by donating their art work, which was displayed and put on sale on the occasion. Anjolie Ela Menon, Arvind Kolapkar, AV Ilango, Babu Xavier, Basuki Dasgupta, BIkash Poddar, Dutta Bansode, G. Subramanian, Ganesh Haloi, Jagannath Paul, Jehangir Jani, JMS Mani, Santhanan Krishnan, KS Radhakrishnan, Kumar Ranjan, Praveen Gaud, P Elanchezhiyan, Rabin Mondal, S Harsha Vardhana, Shankar Kendale, Shipra Bhattacharya, Shuvaprasanna, Shyamal Mukherjee, Sujata Achrekar, Vrindavan Solanki are the artists who joined hands for the cause.
Rani Mukherjee shares safety tips with girl children
Bollywood Actor Rani Mukherjee, along with premiere entertainment channel Zoom, spent a day with girl children from Smile Foundation at Mumbai. Rani, who has gained a deep insight into the subject for her film Mardaani, discussed girl child safety and security issues with the girls.
One of the girl children, who is well skilled in Karate, also impressed Rani Mukherjee with a display of her self defense moves. Rani in turn, motivated the girls to be strong and face the world with confidence.
The session was fun and interactive and the girls had a great time with Rani.
Dr. Tarita Shankar inspires IGI students to “Be the Change”
On the occasion of Teacher’s Day and marking the completion of 20 glorious years of Indira Group of Institutes (IGI), Chairperson Dr. Tarita Shankar, who is also the Goodwill Ambassador for the cause of education for the girl child, culminated a month long campaign with Smile Foundation called, ‘Skip a Meal to Educate a Child’ in Pune.
This campaign was an effort to sensitize the faculty, department heads and students of the institute towards Smile Foundation’s ‘Nutrition for Better Literacy’ initiative. Through this campaign, people across all the Indira campuses were encouraged to donate a sum that they would usually spend on a meal, ensuring a healthy future for 50 girl children.
Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Tarita Shankar said, “I am delighted to be a part of the Smile Foundation family and support a cause which is close to my heart. This is also a humble effort to encourage everyone associated with IGI to come forward and be the change they wish to see in the world.”
Shah Rukh Khan celebrates Father's Day with Smile kids at KidZania
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan invited Smile Foundation children to KidZania in Mumbai on Father’s Day. The kids not only got to meet and wish SRK on this special day, but also matched steps with him on some of his popular tracks, which are a favourite with the kids.
Being a father is the most special feeling in the world and my three beautiful children make it even more special for me. I am glad that today I got to spend time with kids and their fathers who share my feeling. It truly was a very special Father’s Day for me at KidZania and a very special thanks to Smile Foundation kids for giving me so much love,” said Shah Rukh Khan.
Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation, thanked SRK by saying, “As a society we can achieve real and all-round development only when the privileged section of the civil society takes proactive role in it. We greatly admire Mr. Shah Rukh Khan for his contribution in promoting our cause of child education and inspiring our children. These children will be able to build a better and happier society tomorrow thanks to such inspiration and encouragement. And a special thanks to KidZania for making this Father’s Day special for the kids of Smile Foundation.”
Comedy Nights with Kapil supports 'Nutrition for Education'
Kapil Sharma invited Michelin starred Chef Vikas Khanna, along with Smile Foundation children, to his very popular television show, ‘Comedy Nights with Kapil.’
The children were delighted to meet Kapil, Palak, Navjot Singh Sidhu and popular celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor on the show.
Amidst spatter of laughter and smiles, Kapil championed the cause of ‘Nutrition for Education’ that Chef Vikas Khanna has taken up for Smile Foundation’s children. The children also did a small gig on the show, which was appreciated by Kapil and team and loved by the audience.
Chef Vikas has joined hands with Smile Foundation as Goodwill Ambassador for its ‘Nutrition for Education’ initiative. The initiative aims to provide nutrition to children with the belief that unless a child is well-fed and healthy, he/she cannot go to school regularly and is unable to perform well at studies.
6th Edition Of Ramp For Chmaps Held At Bangalore
Smile Foundation presented the 6th edition of its charity fashion event, Ramp for Champs, at the Ritz Carlton Bangalore, along with Fashion Guru Prasad Bidapa. Ramp for Champs is a unique concept intended to build community engagement and sensitization on the issue of education for underprivileged children and raise resources for the cause.
Many well acclaimed celebrities from all walks of life extended their support for this initiative including Ms. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (MD, Biocon); Ms. Rachna Aggarwal (CEO, Indus League Apparels); Mr. Srinivas Prasad (CEO, Philips); Mr. Navneet Kapoor (CEO, Target India); Mr. Atul Ujjagar (Country Head, Nike); Mr. Shailesh Chaturvedi (CEO, Tommy Hilfiger); Mr. David Orth (GM, GKN Aerospace); Ms. Arundathi Nag (Theatre Personality); Ms. Priyanka Upendra (Kannada Actress); Mr. Shalabh Arora (Director of Sales & Marketing, Ritz Carlton Bangalore); Ms. Beena Patre; Mr. Dhananjay (Kannada Actor); Ms. Kulsum Shadab Wahab; Mr. Indrajit Lankesh (Director/Screenwriter); Mr. G Subramanian (Artist); Ms. Rachna Sehgal; Ms. Sanjjanaa (Kannada Actress); Mr. Raghu Dixit (Musician); Master Snehith (Kannada Actor); Mr. Pankaj Advani (World Snooker Champion); Ms. Ashwini Nachappa (National Athelete); Mr. Jenith Aiyappa (Actor/Politician); and Ms. Ruby Chakravarti (Theatre personality and writer).
The event was made successful by the support of various partners. It was powered by Scullers, along with Ritz Carlton Bangalore as the hospitality partner. Others who joined hands for the cause were Myntra.com as Associate Partner; Central as Supporting Partner; Fusion Life as Magazine Partner and Ripple Media as Outdoor Media Partner.
Vivek Oberoi celebrates birthday with Smile kids
Actor Vivek Oberoi invited Smile Foundation children to celebrate his birthday and pledged his support to the Mission Education initiative.
“Little children should not be working. They should be in school; learning, educating themselves, aspiring and dreaming to be someone. It hurts me when I see them not going to school,” said Vivek.
“Come join me in helping Smile Foundation achieve this aim – Mission Education. It’s your mission and my mission. Let’s do it together,” he added.
Outside his acting career, Vivek Oberoi has earned accolades for his philanthropic and voluntary contribution. In the past he was awarded with the Red and White Bravery Award for helping re-build villages that were hit severely by the Tsunami. Previously he has also served as the World Health Organization’s anti-tobacco spokesperson.
Bengaluru FC extends support to Mission Education
Bengaluru Football Club extended its support to the ‘Mission Education’ initiative of Smile Foundation. With an aim to raise awareness about sending every child to school, the players of Bengaluru FC interacted with the children and gave them various tips and secrets of playing football which left the children with big smiles on their faces.
Star players of the club along with Ashley Westwood, Head Coach, invited a team of 12 children from Smile Foundation to their home turf to play a game of football. After a brief football match, the players motivated the kids to perform well in their studies so that they too have a bright future.
“As a goal is important in football, sending every child in school should be the primary goal of our privileged society. Education can ensure the children to be champions of their life,” said Mr. Ashley Westwood, Head Coach, Bengaluru Football Club.
Thomson Reuters employees paint classrooms for Smile kids
A team of 20 employees from Thomson Reuters volunteered to paint the walls of children’s classrooms at Mission Education centre Vidyaniketan in J.P. Nagar, Bangalore. Choosing innovative and vibrant themes like aquarium, Children’s Play Area and nature, the team enthusiastically painted the walls of three classrooms.
“I feel that painting the walls of these classrooms and helping brighten the atmosphere for children to study better, is the most productive work I have ever done”, said Mr. Muni Krishna from Thomson Reuters.
After the team finished its job, children from the centre were invited to share their opinion about the new look of their classrooms. All of them loved it and applauded the team for its efforts. Later, a fun interaction session with the Thomson Reuters employees gave a perfect ending to an exciting day for the children.
Archana Kochhar supports Smile Foundation at BFW finale
Couturier Archana Kochhar, who has been showcasing her collection on national and international runways for over a decade now, came together with actors Richa Chadda and Nikhil Dwivedi, to support the cause of girl child education with Smile Foundation, during Archana’s show at the Bangalore Fashion Week finale.
Having revolutionized the bridal arena with her glamorous looks, Indian and contemporary silhouettes, and craftsmanship, Archana Kochhar has carved a niche for herself. Besides being an epitome of aesthetic excellence through her collections, she also has a heart of gold which is visible through her association with Smile Foundation, with whom she is supporting the cause of education for the girl child.
Through this pageant, the designer along with the actors pledged their support to the cause of girl child education and sensitized more people to come forward and strengthen this initiative.
Rashmi Chawla dedicates her birthday for girl child education
Rashmi Chawla, born and brought up in Jabalpur and currently based in Mumbai, has been associated with Smile Foundation through its charity fashion event Ramp for Champs. Highly impressed with the work Smile Foundation is doing on ground to ensure a better life for children through education, and the cause of girl child education being close to her heart, Rashmi decided to dedicate her birthday for the cause. She and her friends got together to ensure quality education for 20 girl children for a year.
Rashmi Chawla conducts cooking classes for fun and claims that she can cook on the street and anything within 10 minutes. She loves to travel, design clothes and read. Her mother has been her inspiration for cooking and it’s a hobby since childhood.
Riders Republic spends day with Smile kids in Bangalore
A group of young biking enthusiasts spent the Sunday morning with Smile Foundation children for a special purpose. Riders Republic and The Hills Entertainment members undertook a unique initiative to share a few moments of joy and spread the importance of road safety among the kids. The event also aimed at sensitizing the privileged society about the importance of road safety, including pedestrian safety, and appealing everyone to be a responsible citizen by helping spread this further.
Around 20 Riders Republic members visited Snehasadan Boys Home, Smile Foundation’s Mission Education programme centre in Bangalore, and spent quality time with the children playing football and explaining the basics of road safety. The bikers also took the children on their Harleys for a ride. Knowing the children’s fondness for all things sweet, the rider team treated the children with their favourite pastry and snacks too.
COOK FOR SMILE
Cook for a Smile is an initiative by Smile Foundation, which brings together top corporate leaders from leading organizations together, not for a boardroom conference, but to the kitchen – to cook and put a smile on the faces of underprivileged children. By donning the chef’s toque, these personalities supported the nutrition of kids, helping them stay healthy and learn better. Cook for a Smile is also an effort to sensitize the privileged society and make it an active partner in bringing positive change in the lives of the marginalized children.
Chef Vikas Khanna hosted Cook for a Smile, as the Goodwill Ambassador for the cause. Vikas Khanna is a 4 times Michelin Starred Indian chef, restaurateur, food writer, filmmaker, humanitarian and the host of the TV Show MasterChef India and Twist of Taste.
Each corporate leader was joined by junior master chefs from Smile Foundation at two events, in Delhi and Mumbai, under the initiative. Funds raised from both these events are being used to provide nutrition and education to 2000 kids for a year. Cook for a Smile will soon be taken to other cities to raise awareness and resources for the cause.
