Every Smile Belongs: Raising Cleft Awareness and Celebrating Confidence
Walking into a gallery filled with joyful faces, each telling a story of resilience, hope, and dreams — that was the experience of visitors at Every Smile Belongs, a powerful photo exhibition by Smile Train India.
The event highlighted the importance of cleft awareness in India, breaking stigma and showing that children with clefts are just like every other child — full of talent, potential, and deserving of a bright future.
Why Cleft Awareness Matters in India
Every year, more than 35,000 children in India are born with a cleft lip and/or palate. Yet, public understanding of the condition remains very low. Many children face teasing, low confidence, and social isolation.
Smile Train India organized this exhibition as a platform to start open conversations about clefts — an essential step toward creating a more inclusive and compassionate society.
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A Celebration of Strength Through Portraits
Hosted at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in Delhi, the two-week exhibition placed children with clefts at the heart of the narrative — not with pity, but with pride and dignity.
Renowned photographer Komal Bedi Sohal captured striking portraits that radiated confidence and individuality. Each photograph celebrated a child’s spirit, proving that a cleft is only one part of their story, not their identity.
The Launch: Champions Take the Stage
The exhibition officially opened on June 22 with an inspiring ceremony led by:
- Komal Bedi Sohal (Photographer)
- Dr. Sujata Chaudhary (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)
- Mamta Carroll (Senior VP & Regional Director, Asia, Smile Train)
- Three young cleft champions — Ishan, Khushi, and Christine
Far from being passive participants, these children were the stars of the event. Their energy and courage brought the campaign’s message to life: Every child deserves to smile with confidence.
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Stories Behind the Smiles
On June 24, media representatives joined a special guided tour led by Sohal. She shared moving anecdotes about each child — how they played, laughed, and opened up during the photo sessions.
These stories reminded visitors that a cleft does not define a child’s future. Instead, it’s one chapter in a larger story of resilience, courage, and joy.
Beyond Art: A Call to Action
The exhibition went beyond photographs. Interactive spaces invited visitors to ask questions, reflect, and rethink their perceptions about clefts.
By merging art, storytelling, and cleft awareness, Every Smile Belongs demonstrated that empathy and education are powerful tools for social change.
Conclusion: Every Smile Deserves to Be Celebrated
Through Every Smile Belongs, Smile Train India redefined how we view children with clefts. The exhibition wasn’t just about photos — it was about acceptance, dignity, and breaking barriers.
Because every child deserves to be seen.
Every smile deserves to be celebrated.
And every smile belongs.
