Making Lives Better One 'Smile' At A Time

Here's a story that is an inspiration to community workers not just in India but all over the world. A story that remains unheard despite having been heard over and over again, not recognized the way it should be. This is the story of Santanu Mishra, the founder of Smile Foundation, an NGO providing education and healthcare to the underprivileged children. Santanu is a strong believer of the fact that educated youth is the cornerstone of any working democracy and is the key to helping people make informed choices and fight their own wars.

In a country where most of us lay the burden of providing education and healthcare solely on the government, Santanu and his friends started Smile with the idea of 'giving back to society'. Santanu is an IIM-A alumni, an associate member of CSI and a qualified lawyer and stands to be an idol for most in his field. Yet he felt the need to quit his job and dedicate his time and efforts to the welfare and education of these children. If each of us upheld the kind of beliefs and principles he does, imagine how far could we have taken our country. Smile Foundation today has begun innovative projects like STeP- Smile Twin e-learning Project, and also addresses conventional issues through their women empowerment programs like Swabhimaan.

Even though there exists no such thing as a 'perfect citizen', Santanu seems pretty close right?. A man who turned a reunion discussion with his friends into a living reality deserves appreciation, and that is exactly what we are trying to do through this article. Here's to people like him who believe that it is through our contribution that the country will be a better place to live in.