The Himalaya Drug Company has launched a cleft lip initiative, 'Muskaan', and has partnered with Smile Train India, an international NGO dedicated to spreading awareness on cleft deformities and providing free surgeries to the under-privileged.

As part of the initiative, Himalaya Lip Care will enable a minimum of 100 cleft surgeries through Smile Train India through the first year of this partnership. Further, a contribution of Rs 2 from the purchase of every Himalaya Lip Care product will be made towards the cause, the company said in a statement. All this is part of Himalaya's CSR initiative.

So far 55 cleft surgeries have been completed. Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Business Head-Consumer Products, Himalaya Drug Company said: We understand lips are the conduit to express one’s emotions and confidence, a cleft condition hinders both. So, we have taken this initiative to support patients suffering from cleft-lip and help make a difference in their lives.”

Typically, the treatment of cleft in India is hampered due to economic and perception constraints. Thus, the need to provide access to free surgeries and spread awareness becomes more pressing. In India over 35,000 children are born with clefts every year and over 10 lakh children with unrepaired clefts live in shame, have difficulty eating, breathing, and speaking. Since 2000, Smile Train has been providing training and funding to empower local doctors and hospitals across India to provide 100 per cent free cleft repair surgery.

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