Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

A smile is an expression of happiness, but many of us bereft of such expression, due to a birth defect, cleft lip and/or palate. 35,000 babies are born with such defect every year in India. But due to unawareness and poverty, more than 50% of these are deprived of right treatment. To bring the smile back on every child’s face, social impact initiative, “Muskaan” has been taken by Himalaya Lip Care. Through this campaign Himalaya is bringing smiles and confidence among children.

A short film about eight-year-old Munmun, has been made under the campaign “Ek Nayi Muskaan”. It is a heart-warming story of how, due to her cleft lip, Munmun never comes out in open. She just dreams of going to school, playing and having fun like any other kid, but with a mask on her face. The touching story ends with Munmun getting a life changing surgery and lives a normal life.

The synopsis of the video reads, “A smile can give you the confidence to face the world bravely. But sometimes, a smile can be hidden and needs to be found. Watch how Himalaya Lip Care, in association with Smile Train India, is helping children like Munmun smile bright.”

Rahul Bharti of Roadrunner productions, has directed the film and renowned actor and singer, Raghuvir Yadav has given his voice to it.

Mr. Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Business Director-Consumer Products Division, The Himalaya Drug Company said, “Through our partnership with Smile Train, ‘Muskaan’ aims to help raise awareness about cleft and ensure that more children receive the cleft care they need at a younger age. A smile is an expression of happiness, and with ’Ek Nayi Muskaan’, we intend to create more smiles by helping children achieve their dreams and live a fulfilling life. This initiative reflects our overall brand thought – ’Khush Raho Khushaal Raho’ that captures our vision of ‘Wellness in every home, Happiness in every heart’.”

Ms. Mamta Carroll, Vice President and Regional Director, Asia, Smile Train, said, “In India, more than 35,000 babies are born with a cleft every year, and around 6,000 are from Uttar Pradesh alone. Children with clefts not only live in isolation due to various myths and superstitions that exist in our country, but more importantly, face difficulty in eating, breathing, and speaking. With support from our individual donors and organizations like The Himalaya Drug Company, these surgeries are taking place absolutely free of cost at Smile Train’s local partner hospitals. We are proud to be partnering with Himalaya as a part of this noble initiative and look forward to supporting many smiles together.”

“Children are pivotal to our future, and there should be nothing that deprives them of true happiness. ’Muskaan’, the initiative of bringing forever smiles to children with clefts is an important and necessary cause that ensures a bright future for the children as well as their families. I am extremely happy and lucky to be a part of this journey of spreading happiness and smiles,” said Ali Fazal, while unveiling the film.

One in every 700 children is born with a cleft lip and/or palate, globally. In india, 35,000 children are born with the defect annually and in Uttar Pradesh alone 6000 children are born with it. But less than 50% are treated, others are forced to live with it.

Children with cleft lip and/or palate live in isolation and face difficulty while eating, breathing, and speaking. They are very vulnerable to ENT infections and several had to drop out of the school due to speech related problems.

Through “Muskaan” initiative, more than 500 children have been treated free. Since 1999, the smile train is moving across country providing training, funding, and resources to local doctors and hospital to treat cleft surgery 100% free for the ones who cannot afford.

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