- ‘Ek Nayi Muskaan’ brings hope to children born with cleft conditions
- Himalaya Wellness and Smile Train join hands to widen awareness and access to care
- Mobile van to reach underserved communities across 22 Gujarat districts
- Timely intervention can transform feeding, speech, confidence and school participation
- Gujarat’s Cleft Lip/Palate Free Gujarat initiative complements the awareness drive
- Call for families: early diagnosis can open the door to a healthier, more confident future
R MANICKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, OCT 2
For a child born with a cleft, a corrective operation may take less than an hour—but the impact can last a lifetime. It can mean being able to eat comfortably, speak more clearly, return to school without hesitation, smile without self-consciousness and, above all, grow up without allowing a birth condition to define the boundaries of a dream.
That message of hope, early intervention and an opportunity for a transformative life took centre stage in Ahmedabad on Friday as Himalaya Wellness Company brought its Muskaan initiative, in partnership with Smile Train India, to Gujarat with ‘Ek Nayi Muskaan’.
Launched on the occasion of World Smile Day, the initiative seeks to increase awareness about cleft conditions and connect children and families with timely, comprehensive care, including free surgery and follow-up support.
The initiative enters its 12th year with a distinctly Ahmedabad theme—the kite—drawing a parallel between a kite that needs the right support to rise and a child who needs timely medical care, encouragement and family support to realise his or her potential.
From a surgical correction to a life-changing intervention
Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common birth conditions and can affect a child’s ability to feed, speak and develop normally if appropriate care is delayed. Yet, with timely treatment and continuing support, many affected children can go on to lead healthy and active lives.
Dr Hirenkumar Bhatt of Vadodara underlined the scale and urgency of the issue in Gujarat.
“With the help of sonography, cleft condition can be detected when the foetus is 20-week-old. In Gujarat, about 1,800 kids born with cleft conditions every year. My hospital in Vadodara is one among the seven major hospitals, including Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, have been associated with Smile Train India. Children from 3 months onwards can go for this corrective surgery and lead a normal life, including recovery of speech.”
The central challenge, therefore, is not merely performing surgery but ensuring that families know that treatment exists, know where to seek it and reach care early enough.
Gujarat already has a public-health pathway
The Muskaan campaign comes alongside Gujarat’s own longstanding public-health efforts on congenital conditions. The State Government launched the “Cleft Lip/Palate Free Gujarat” programme in 2015 under the School Health–Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), with free treatment and referral support for children with cleft conditions. Government documents describe screening through health teams, Anganwadis, schools and villages, with referral to medical colleges and Smile Train-associated centres. (NHSRC India)
The broader School Health-RBSK programme provides screening, referral and treatment for children from birth through adolescence. Gujarat government data reported in 2023 showed that 6,064 children had been treated for cleft lips under the programme, illustrating the potential of sustained public-health screening and referral mechanisms.
The message emerging from the convergence of government and non-government initiatives is simple: a cleft should not become a lifelong barrier merely because a family lacks awareness or access to care.
‘It is not just about the treatment’
Actor Mandira Bedi, who launched ‘Ek Nayi Muskaan’ in Ahmedabad, said the impact of cleft care goes well beyond correcting a physical condition.
“I’ve always believed that confidence and self-belief can change the way we see ourselves and what we believe is possible. For a child born with a cleft condition, having access to the right care and support can be an important part of building that confidence.”
She added: “But what really stays with you are the things that come after, a child going back to school, speaking up, making friends, smiling for a photograph, or simply feeling comfortable being themselves.”
“For me, that is what makes Muskaan meaningful. It is not just about the treatment; it is about helping children see that their condition does not have to define them or limit their dreams. Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up believing in themselves and finding their own path,” she said.
Taking care beyond the operating table
Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Business Director, Consumer Products Division, Himalaya Wellness Company, said Muskaan has been part of the company’s social initiatives since 2015.
“In our 12th year of association with Smile Train India, bringing Muskaan to Ahmedabad allows us to reach more children and families and build greater awareness and access to cleft care.”
He said ‘Ek Nayi Muskaan’ reflected the belief that timely treatment and appropriate support could help children look ahead with confidence.
“Beyond surgery, it is important that families understand the care available to them and know where to seek help. Through Muskaan, we hope to continue reaching families, especially in rural and underserved communities, so that more children receive the care they need, at the right time.”
Ragini Hariharan, Marketing Director – Beauty & Personal Care, Himalaya Wellness, said Ahmedabad’s association with kites offered an appropriate metaphor for the campaign.
“A kite needs the right support to rise, and so does a child. ‘Ek Nayi Muskaan’ reflects that spirit of possibility, where a new smile can mark the beginning of greater confidence, participation and hope.”
Reaching the child before the child is lost to the system
A mobile van will travel through 22 districts of Gujarat, particularly rural and underserved communities, to spread awareness about cleft conditions and connect eligible children with free cleft surgery and comprehensive care.
The initiative is significant because distance, lack of awareness, social stigma and delayed referral can prevent children from reaching specialist care.
Smile Train Senior Vice-President and Regional Director for Asia Mamta Carroll said surgery was only one component of the child’s journey.
“Every child born with a cleft deserves timely, comprehensive care and the opportunity to thrive. While surgery is an important part of treatment, it is only one step in a child’s journey.”
She stressed the importance of feeding, nutrition, speech and overall development support.
“Through initiatives like Muskaan, we want to create greater awareness among families and empower them to seek the right care at the right time, available free of cost at Smile Train treatment partners, so that every child can grow with confidence and reach their full potential.”
A smile that can change the trajectory of childhood
The significance of such interventions extends far beyond appearance. A child struggling to feed may face nutritional challenges; untreated cleft palate can affect speech; social stigma can discourage children from participating in school and community life.
Early identification and comprehensive care can therefore change a child’s trajectory—from difficulty to possibility, from hesitation to participation and from stigma to self-confidence.
For parents, the message is equally important: do not hide a cleft, do not wait for the condition to correct itself and do not allow social stigma to delay medical advice.
Families seeking information or support through the Muskaan initiative can contact the toll-free helpline 1800 103 8301.
As the campaign’s kite rises over Ahmedabad, its message is larger than a smile: when timely healthcare meets awareness, compassion and sustained support, a child’s future can rise too.
