Himalaya 'Smiles of India' campaign shoot concludes in Mumbai

As 2015 drew to a closure, the Himalaya Smiles of India campaign arrived in Mumbai to capture the New Year Resolutions of the Mumbai hawkers, who are so intrinsic to the DNA of the city.

The Himalaya Drug Company had kicked off this unique photography journey in December 2015 with street photographer and travel enthusiast – Siddhartha Joshi, based in Pune. The campaign is essentially a ‘spread a smile’ drive that is aimed at capturing and relaying happy stories from around the country, so that you never run out of reasons to smile.

Siddharth’s search in Mumbai took him to the iconic Gateway of India, Colaba Causeway, Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbaidevi Temple, Vivtoria Terminus, Juhu Chowpattty, Kala Ghoda and Marine Drive whereby he interacted and quizzed the hawkers on their aspirations and what is it that they want to achieve in 2016. Entrepreneurial ventures, improvement of quality of life, healthy living, valuing relationships more, accessing sophisticated education and being more tech savvy topped the Mumbai hawker’s things to do.

Rajesh, a helicopter toy seller said, “I want to build my body with exercise and good food and I aim to join the police force by the end of the year.”

Manas Majumdar, a food hawker at CST expressed his desire, “I have been working with someone else for years now. This year I want to change that and start my own business.”

Very interestingly Akhtar Ansari who has a small ittar shop at Haji Ali said “My resolution is to be able to contribute towards nation building and continue loving all my countrymen.”

Harish, a helper at a food stall in the lanes of Kala Ghoda said, “I am done with using a micromax phone. I want to save up more money and buy a nice Sony phone this year!”

Sushil Goswami – Category Manager – Oral Care, The Himalaya Drug Company said, “We are excited to bring the Himalaya Smiles of India campaign to Mumbai and amazed to witness the responses of the Mumbai hawkers who are one of us. Like our Sparkling White Toothpaste’s unique USP is to bring a natural smile with no-chemical bleach, with this initiative spread across the Indian terrain we wish to spread optimism and offer a million reasons for people to smile every day.”

The talented Siddhartha Joshi, Himalaya’s Photography Ambassador for this campaign comments on his experience, “I am thrilled that Himalaya has given me the opportunity to capture the hopes, aspirations and resolutions of the Mumbai hawkers. I thoroughly enjoyed these conversations and realized that new year didn’t mean the same thing for everyone. Many saw it simply as a change of date, but when probed deeper you will always find a dream which everyone wanted to fulfil in the coming months or a year.”

“The city of dreams is still dreaming and making tangible resolutions for the coming year and beyond. From a young boy to an old man, each had a unique dream, a personal plan and everyone was willing to work hard to reach somewhere.”

These visual stories or sparkling smile moments from Mumbai and across the country will be populated on the microsite https://smilesofindia.com/ that primarily focuses on sharing news, instances and stories of goodness to spread more cheer and smiles all around.

As a part of the Himalaya Smiles of India journey, Siddhartha has already travelled to Bhubaneshwar – Raghurajpur, Pune and will also travel to the cities - Raipur, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Ludhiana amongst others.