A beacon of hope shines brightly in Kolkata as Mission Smile, an FCRA registered medical charity, in partnership with Muthoot Pappachan Foundation and Techno India Dama Hospital, proudly announces its free cleft surgical camp. Running from May 26th to 30th, 2025, at Techno India Dama Hospital, Kolkata, this initiative aims to provide life-changing surgeries to children and youngsters born with cleft deformities.
This camp marks the 9th “Smile Please” Mission in Kolkata, a pan-India initiative by Muthoot Pappachan Foundation dedicated to delivering free, safe, compassionate, and comprehensive cleft surgeries to deserving individuals. Launched in 2014 from Kerala in collaboration with Mission Smile, the “SMILE PLEASE” program has expanded its reach to 13 states across India, successfully completing an impressive 3244 surgeries nationwide.
West Bengal has been a significant beneficiary of this noble cause, with 482 children and youngsters having received surgeries through the previous eight “Smile Please” Missions in Kolkata. This particular camp is the third to be hosted at Techno India Dama Hospital, further solidifying the partnership’s commitment to the region.
Dr. Sourav Ghosh, Medical Director of Techno India Dama Hospital, shared the camp’s impressive track record and future aspirations. “Over the last two camps, we have successfully operated on 119 patients, with 76% being children and 24% young adults. A testament to our commitment to transforming young lives through timely medical intervention,” he stated. “This time, we are expecting to screen around 75 to 80 patients, and we aim to perform at least 50 safe and successful surgeries. Our team remains dedicated to ensuring each patient receives the best possible care and outcomes.”
Mission Smile’s impact extends far beyond this specific camp. Since its inception, the organization has conducted over 49,500 free cleft surgeries and more than 71,000 medical evaluations across India. Last year alone, 395 patients received free surgeries through Mission Smile, with over 8,000 benefiting in West Bengal alone.
The announcement of this vital initiative was made in the esteemed presence of several distinguished personalities. These included Mr. Jayanto Narayan Choudhury-IPS, Retd. DGP of Assam & DG-NSG, and currently Co-Chairman of Mission Smile; Dr. Prasanthkumar Nellickal, Head-CSR of Muthoot Pappachan Foundation; Dr. Sourav Ghosh, MD-Techno India Dama Hospital; Mr. Conrad Dennis, CEO-Mission Smile; eminent Plastic Surgeons of East India Dr. Manish Mukul Ghosh; Mrs. Mona Sarkar, CEO-Techno India Dama Hospital; Mr. Soumen Bandyopadhyay, State Head-Muthoot Fincorp Limited-West Bengal; and Mr. Dalip Pande, Director Partnership-Mission Smile.
Mr. Conrad Dennis, CEO of Mission Smile, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “From May 26–29, 2025, Mission Smile will restore a brighter future to more than 50 children born with cleft deformities. This is thanks to the magnanimous support of the Muthoot Pappachan Foundation and our steadfast partner, Techno India Dama Hospital & Medical Centre. As we approach our 50,000th safe surgery, we remain committed to transforming lives and spreading smiles around the world.”
The success of these camps is significantly bolstered by the dedicated outreach efforts of Muthoot Fincorp and Muthoot Microfin branches. Dr. Prasanth Kumar Nellickal, Head-CSR of Muthoot Pappachan Foundation, highlighted their crucial role. “Muthoot Fincorp and Muthoot Microfin branches in West Bengal, especially in North and South 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, West and East Midnapur, Howrah, Hoogly, Nadia and East/West Bardhaman districts were keen in doing extensive outreach activities to reach out to the families of cleft patients, building confidence in them and bringing them to the hospital to avail surgeries to their kids,” he explained. “This is seen as one of the selfless and dedicated acts of the Muthoot staff members who normally are into financial services for which they reach out to the common man in their financial requirements and positively change the quality of their lives.”
This collaborative effort continues to make a profound difference, bringing not just surgical corrections, but renewed hope and a brighter future to countless children and young adults in West Bengal and beyond.