An Initiative by Smile Foundation to raise support for education of the girl child
Smile Foundation, is a development organization at national level. Recently they show-cased the seventh edition of its fundraiser, known as ‘Ramp for Champs’ at Hotel Renaissance, Powai. It was attended by the many famous personalities of Mumbai. Funds that will be raised from “Ramp for Champs” will be utilized in the course of Smile Foundation’s national level programme – “Mission Education”, with a particular focus on learning for the girl children..
Ramp for Champs, Mumbai edition is India’s only charity fashion event at national level. It had a full-bodied line-up of 50 participating personalities and achievers from all walks of life. Many corporates had also come together for the occasion to commemorate the most excellent of creative and fashion talent, along with supporting a noble cause.
Mr. Neeraj Agarwal, Executive Director, Corporate Communication, LIC India on the occasion said, “How we care for our children, protect their welfare and give them at least a fighting chance for a brighter, fulfilling future reflects our attitude to society. This event is a bridge to their aspirations and our willingness to support their cause. We appreciate Smile Foundation’s service in bringing dignity, in a holistic way, in the lives of innocent children and communities.”
The event started with a performance by singers Abhiruchi Singh who has devoted a song “Udd Chali” to Smile Foundation’s girl child empowerment programme. Ace singer Divya Kumar and choreographer-cum-actor Ganesh Acharya performed during the event mesmerising the mass with their mesmerising performances.
Huma Qureshi who was the visage of this programme walked as the event Show Stopper. Speaking about this association, she said, “I am extremely delighted to associate with Smile Foundation to support the cause of girl child education. Ramp for Champs is a wonderful opportunity for individuals like us to come forward and sensitize more people to be the change they wish to see in the world .66 million girls in India are waiting to be in school ,this event is a humble step towards spreading smiles amongst a few of them . We come from a world of glamour wherein being beautiful is extremely important. However, a platform like Ramp for Champs makes us more responsible and purposeful which all together makes us more beautiful humans”.
Star designers Archana Kochhar and Preety’s Designer Hut extended their support to the cause by showcasing their special collections not with the models but with their muses who were their celebrities and high profile clients.
Ace-Couturier Archana Kochhar the Goodwill Ambassador for Girl Child Education with Smile Foundation has great association for fashion and is feasting her clients through three operational prêt stores in Mumbai. Born in Mumbai- fashion hub of India, Archana Kochhar has various expertises for creating and designing brilliant attire. Her muses for the event had distinguished personalities from various fields like acting, chefs, singing, working women to homemakers. Her list consisted of Huma Qureshi , Urvashi Sharma walked with her two beautiful daughters, Krishika Lulla , Samaira and Parinishta, Dimple Nahar , Ragini Khanna, Manara Handa, Nazneen Patel, 4 Times Michelin Starred Chef Vikas Khanna Shobha Lakhani, Rashmi Desai, , Surbhi Jyoti, Nataliya Kozhenova , Aishwarya Sakhuja, Tia Bajpai, Teejay Sidhu , Ekta Kaul , Poornima , Bhoomi Trivedi , Harshali Zine, Rajneesh Duggal , , Mukesh Chabbra , Rahul Roy, Karan Tacker, Divya Kumar, Karanvir Bohra, Ameet Sareen, Gaurav Sethi and Sahil Anand.
Preety’s Design hut, what started as a modest small scale business endeavour, has today steadily developed into an up-and-coming empire of ethnic attire. Preety’s collection is motivated from the Mother Earth; “Bhoomi” – she is a perfect blend of soul and heart, at the birth of a child a mother is borne, she with charming self-confidence and lives her life surrounded by profusion and kindness. Her muses for this event were Tapsee Pannu , Bhumi Chawda , VJ Andy ,Anjali Ahuja, Charmi shah , Tina Chopra, Chahat Khanna, Kavita Paudwal, Rinku Dudani , Chanchal Jain , Shibani Kashyap Bobby khan with wife, Tina Dutta , Jharna Savla ,Simple Kaur , Evelyn Sharma, Shraddha and Mahaakshay Chakraborty who are the lead pair for the upcoming filmIshqedarriyaan .
The event was supported by different partners. Ramp for Champs was supported by LIC of India. Other valuable partners were Copperstone, Colors, Nerolac, Big Brother Foundation, Truefitt & Hills, The Renaissance Hotel, Chandrakala Sanap, , Stardust Magazine, Proton Communications, Gaurav Sethi Photographer and Moryaas Multimedia Pvt. Ltd.
On the occasion, Mr. Vikram Singh Verma, who is the Chief Operating Officer at Smile Foundation said, “Through Ramp of Champs we are aiming to bring trend-setters and celebrities in concert to bring some real and enduring change in the lives of the most deserving children. Education is the most effective tool that can help less privileged children, particularly girl children, come out of the vicious cycle of poverty and suffering, and transform into an empowered next generation.” He further added, “The privileged section of the society has to come forward and take proactive role in the process of development. We feel encouraged with the support and response towards the cause through Ramp for Champs in Mumbai and I thank all the responsible corporate, designers, celebrities and the guest who made this initiative a great success.”
About Smile Foundation:
Smile Foundation is a national level development organization currently reaching out to more than 300,000 children directly along with their families and the communities through 158 welfare projects on the issues of education, healthcare, livelihood, women empowerment and advocacy across 25 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.
