Mumbai : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has envisioned a mission to bring smiles to the innocent faces of children born with cleft lips and palates by facilitating treatment and raising awareness about this congenital condition. Recognizing the urgent need for such intervention in Vidarbha, he appealed to voluntary organizations for support. Responding positively to the Chief Minister’s appeal, the voluntary organization Smile Train India and Shefali Bajaj of Bajaj Finserv have joined hands to turn this dream into reality. This initiative will now be implemented completely free of cost as a part of the corporate social responsibility efforts of Smile Train India—an international NGO—and Bajaj Finserv. The ‘Maha Smiles: Cleft Awareness and Treatment Campaign’ is not merely a medical initiative; it is a hopeful movement aimed at giving thousands of children a new life. This unique campaign will be launched on July 31, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission Hospital, Khapri, Nagpur. As part of this first-of-its-kind effort, three special mobile vans will travel across all 11 districts of Vidarbha over the next 90 days to spread awareness about cleft conditions. The vans will facilitate early diagnosis, recommend appropriate treatment, and register underprivileged children for free surgeries. These surgeries will be conducted at hospitals in Nagpur, Gondia, Akola, and Wardha.
Cleft lip and palate are congenital conditions where the upper lip or the roof of the mouth is split. This condition is seen in approximately one in every 700 children. Surgery is the only corrective treatment. If left untreated, it can lead to hearing loss, speech difficulties, and social isolation. However, with proper treatment—including 6–7 surgical procedures—this condition can be completely corrected. Due to the high cost of treatment, it is often unaffordable for economically weaker families. Hence, Chief Minister Fadnavis, with his compassionate leadership, has initiated this special campaign to provide free treatment for cleft conditions. With timely treatment, children born with cleft conditions can live a completely normal life. Therefore, awareness is just as important as treatment. ‘Maha Smiles’ will be a life-changing initiative for children in Vidarbha, especially in rural and tribal regions. Thousands of families will now see a new ray of hope. What was once an overlooked issue due to lack of awareness will now receive expert attention and care. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed confidence that, with the collaboration of Smile Train and Bajaj Finserv, children in 11 districts of Maharashtra will overcome the congenital challenges of cleft lips and palates, and will truly find a renewed sense of hope in life.
