When music and theatre meet for better health
Brush your teeth twice a day, take oral hygiene seriously — these aren’t just adages to be learnt in school and forgotten later. While you might afford good medical care for your teeth, there is a section of society that doesn’t have that luxury. And that’s what a few Good Samaritans are trying to change in Delhi, this Sunday, by organising a cultural event — Gift a Smile 2018.
Spreading awareness about the importance of dental health, children of the NGO Salaam Balak Trust will present a skit to highlight the relationship between a dentist and a patient. Along with this, Hindustani classical singer Shubha Mudgal will perform with her four-member band at this entry-by-invite-only event.
The aim is also to raise funds to provide oral hygiene to the underprivileged and the elderly. “At this annual event, we highlight all the initiatives taken. It doesn’t matter which profession we belong to. The ability to serve the society provides a great amount of satisfaction,” says Dr Sushant Umre, cosmetic surgeon and trustee of Smile India, the NGO, organising the event.
Ishita Umre, director of the NGO, says, “We run this dental NGO to extend oral hygiene services to the less privileged sections of society. We organise camps in various NGOs on a regular basis. Through this event, we want to connect with more people.”
The NGO, established in 2002, is organising the 12th edition of this event. Mudgal, who has performed at this event twice before, says she’s happy to come back this year. “Delhi has been home to me from the early 80s. I’m grateful for the love that the city has shown. It’s always a pleasure to perform in Delhi and this time doubly so because it’s for a good cause,” says Mudgal, who will present her hit songs, Seekho Na Ninon Ki Bhasha and Ab Ke Sawan at the event.
We run this dental NGO to extend oral hygiene services to the less privileged sections of society. We organise camps in various NGOs on a regular basis. Through this event, we want to connect with more people
ISHITA UMRE DIRECTOR, SMILE INDIA