GPF India Celebrates S.M.I.L.E Annual Day at the ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ Learning Center

Poojita Goswami

December 12, 2023

A group of people from GPF India standing in front of a group of children at the S.M.I.L.E Annual Day event.

Children receiving gifts at the SMILE Annual Day.

Accomplishing one year of the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) India SMILE program at the ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ Learning Center, local leaders, teachers, partners, and supporters of the project gathered for a day of celebration in November 2023. The Annual Day focused on bringing smiles to the faces of the children of the center who had been the recipients of elementary education, spiritual and co-curricular guidance, social consciousness, and peace training from staff and volunteers with GPF India for the past year. The event focused on motivating the students to invest in their education, foster their unique talents, and inspire them by providing a platform to express themselves.

A group of children posing for a picture in front of a white couch during S.M.I.L.E Annual Day.

Children at the ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ Learning Center.

Graced with various local leaders, the event witnessed former municipal corporation’s chairman of Loni, Ghaziabad, Mr. Manoj Dhama, as the chief guest. Mr. Dhama expressed his extreme joy in the work GPF India is doing in his locality and advanced his support for any future help. The local Police Department’s Station House Officer also joined the celebration and applauded GPF India for the initiative of working in one of the most underprivileged areas of the locality. The event was also attended by the founders and directors of GPF’s partner organizations: Mr. Kamaldeep Singh from Tears of the Earth Foundation, Ms. Mona from Vision Search, and Mr. Raj Singh Walia and Mr Vinod Kumar Jain from J.K.Foundation, who addressed the children and parents present at the celebration.

A group of children in white shirts performing on stage during the S.M.I.L.E Annual Day.

Children perform at the SMILE Annual Day at the ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ Learning Center.

A group of children holding up books in front of a hut during the S.M.I.L.E Annual Day organized by GPF India.

SMILE volunteer with children at the ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ Learning Center.

The event also observed moving cultural performances from the center’s children, including group dances and singing. The Shivranjani Society of Delhi University was also present and performed spiritual songs at the event.

The celebration concluded with gifting school bags to all the children as a token of appreciation for their hard work and dedication towards education. Mr. Shekhar Verma, Project Officer for GPF India, thanked all the guests, volunteers, staff, and especially parents and children for making the event a huge success. Learn more India | Global Peace Foundation