Bringing a smile through Muskaan

The Himalaya Drug Company has announced the launch of a cleft lip initiative – “Muskaan” in association with Smile Train India, an international NGO dedicated to spreading awareness on cleft deformities and providing free corrective surgeries for the under-privileged.

As part of the initiative, Himalaya Lip Care will enable a minimum of 100 cleft surgeries through Smile Train India through the first year of this partnership. So far, 55 cleft surgeries have already been completed.

A contribution of Rs 2 from the purchase of every Himalaya Lip Care product will be made towards the cause. While it’s just the beginning, Himalaya’s aim is to ensure children in need of cleft surgeries get access to treatment at the earliest, and at a tender age when healing is faster.

Commenting on the initiative, Rajesh Krishnamurthy, business head-consumer products, The Himalaya Drug Company said “We are extremely happy to associate with Smile Train India for this initiative.

They have the operational excellence and network of skilled doctors to carry out the surgeries and have shown genuine empathy towards the cause. As a leading brand in the Lip Care category, one of the core brand objectives for Himalaya Lip Care is to ensure Healthy and Nourished lips for ALL.

But it just doesn’t end here. We understand lips are conduit to expression of one’s emotions and confidence, a cleft condition hinders both. As a leading brand, we have taken this initiative to support the patients suffering from cleft-lip and help make a difference in their lives.”

“The treatment of cleft is hampered more due to the economic and perception constraints thus the need to provide access to free surgeries and spread awareness becomes more pressing.

The launch of Muskaan and association with Smile Train is aimed at meeting these.” he further added. To put the issue under the spotlight, the company has shot and unveiled a beautiful film on the life transformation journey of Jyothi from Darbur Village, Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru who had been living with cleft for 14 years.

The film brings alive the emotions and aspirations of the girl born with a cleft lip and palate as she undergoes a cleft lip surgery that gives her, her first real smile and leaves her with the promise of a better life. The renowned composer Karan has crafted the music and Sona Mahapatra has lent her soulful voice to the background score.

The track has been composed by lyricist Amit that captures this real story sublimely. Talking about the launch, Sona Mohapatra “This cause is extremely close to my heart thus singing the track was emotionally overwhelming. Everyone has a right to smile and I would like to encourage all of you to spread awareness on this initiative Muskaan.”