Muthoot Plaza's initiative to make special kids Smile

Muthoot Plaza, the Thiruvananthapuram-based business class hotel run by the Sarovar Group, has unveiled 'Smiles', a corporate social responsibility initiative here.

About 50 mentally-challenged students of the Marion Play Home here, the beneficiaries of the initiative, attended the function along with their teachers.

After inaugurating 'Smiles', which is aimed at helping non-profit organisations working for the welfare of the underprivileged, including children, state minister for health P K Sreemathi, along with the kids, made coloured handprints on a wide canvas displayed on the Muthoot rooftop.

Sreemathi said the society should treat the mentally-challenged with love and affection.

"Taking care of these children is the responsibility of the society. The government is planning several measures for the welfare of the children this year," she said, adding that efforts are afoot for funding a school for mentally retarded children at Shornur in northern Kerala.

According to Ghulam Samdani, general manager of Muthoot Plaza , "the hotel as a corporate group is embarking on something new with the launch of 'Smiles'. By supporting Marion , we are helping a handful of kids in building their self-esteem. This is not a one-time programme. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the Marion and other similar organisations and help the children in our neighbourhood grow and progress."

He added that the group is also planning to engage in a variety of charitable activities with the help of guests and business partners. Supporting the healthy development of children in our neighbourhood is of particular obligation of ours and this programme is only the first step towards the noble cause."

"In most cases, mentally challenged children are neglected and kept in isolation regardless of the extent and intensity of retardation", P Thankamani, principal of Marion Play Home, observed.

Thomas John Muthoot, managing director, Muthoot Pappachan Group, presented T-shirts to the kids on the occasion. An array of entertainment shows were also arranged for the kids.