Bangalore, December 11, 2018: The Himalaya Drug Company, India’s leading wellness company, launched a new campaign – Ek Nayi Muskaan – as part of its social impact initiative – Muskaan. Through this initiative, Himalaya Lip Care has been raising awareness about cleft lip and palate and supporting free cleft treatment for underprivileged children, in partnership with international cleft charity, Smile Train.
Ek Nayi Muskaan is a heartwarming story of eight-year-old Munmun, who lives in a small village near Lucknow. She dreams of going to school, playing with friends, and living a fulfilling life like any other child. However, her untreated cleft lip has kept her in hiding. Even in her dreams, she cannot think of herself without a cleft. She would always picture herself wearing a mask to fulfill her aspirations. The film captures the transformational journey of Munmun, as she receives her life-changing cleft surgery.
The film has been directed by Rahul Bharti of Roadrunner Productions, and the song has been sung by renowned actor and singer – Raghuvir Yadav.
“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,” said Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Business Director – Consumer Products Division, The Himalaya Drug Company.
Highlighting the need to generate awareness around cleft, 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 organisations 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.”
Ace actor Ali Fazal said, “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 children as well as their families. I am extremely happy and lucky to be a part of this journey of spreading happiness and smiles.”
Through the Muskaan initiative, more than 500 children have received cleft surgery to date. Himalaya Lip Care is committed to furthering this cause and helping to spread awareness so more children receive early cleft care treatment. Himalaya contributes towards Muskaan with the sale of any Himalaya Lip Care product.
