Padma Shri Ajay Devgn joins Smile Foundation as a Goodwill Ambassador and unveils #SHECANFLY Campaign

Mumbai, September 28, 2016:  Shivaay Actor-Director Ajay Devgn, a longtime supporter of Smile Foundation & a firm believer of education for the underprivileged girl children, has joined hands with Smile Foundation .He also unveiled the campaign #SHECANFLY which is an initiative by Smile Foundation to sensitize the society on the dreams and aspirations of the girl children. Smile Nutrition Ambassador, Chef Vikas Khanna was also present to extend his support to the cause.

In the capacity of “Goodwill Ambassador” Mr. Ajay Devgn will work towards generating awareness on the importance of education and reach out to thousands of underprivileged girl children who are not only deprived of basic education but are still struggling to come out of the vicious cycle of poverty. Needless to mention Mr Devgn strongly believes that these girl children with little support will write their own destinies.

Speaking on this occasion, the Padma Shri award winner Actor –Director Ajay Devgn said, “I have donned many roles/ character’s throughout my career, but in this new role of the “Goodwill Ambassador” of Smile Foundation, I will be able to work towards bringing a real change in the society and equip the underprivileged girl children for a better tomorrow through the medium of education. I am glad to be associated with Smile Foundation and contribute towards this endeavor.”

Ajay Devgn also unveiled the campaign – SHE CAN FLY – GIVE HER THE SKY, An initiative by Smile Foundation to sensitize the masses about giving equal opportunities to girls in every walk of life . A girl child comes into this world with just as many expectations, dreams and aspiration as a boy, but soon finds out that her way towards achieving them is much more challenging. She aims to fly high, but her wings are cut by the ruthlessly unjust gender bias that our society is ridden with. Starting from something as basic as her right to be born, she has to fight a battle all her life and struggle for the most fundamental needs – for freedom, for equal opportunity, for making her voice heard. Smile Foundation’s initiative ‘She Can Fly’ is an effort to enable, equip and empower girl children with quality education, proper nutrition, good health, adequate skills, and above all a lot of self-confidence to help them live their lives to their fullest potential. This is also a step towards sensitizing the civil society at large and helping create a girl child friendly society to help her thrive. She Can Fly, let’s give her the sky!

 Smile Foundation has been working intensively for the empowerment of children and youth through its education initiatives that provide them with quality education, skills training, proper nutrition, and relevant exposure and opportunities. With industry stalwart like Mr. Ajay Devgn joining this initiative, the movement will step in to the next phase of success.

“It is needless to say that the association with Mr. Ajay Devgan will create a huge impact on the interventions that we intend to create amongst the marginalized section of the society. I would like to thank Mr. Ajay Devgn who has always come forward, encouraged and motivated our children to do well. Espousing to the cause of Education for girl children by people like Mr. Ajay Devgan will add more strength to the cause” said, Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation.