Rai-Bachchan helps cleft pallet charity

Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan is on a birthday mission to increase awareness of an international cleft pallet charity organisation.

The actress, who turned 36 on November 1, and her own charity the Aishwarya Rai Foundation have pledged to aid the Smile Train, a worldwide movement that helps children with cleft lips.

"God has given me plenty of reasons to smile and I feel it's time to spread it around," Rai told New Karala.

"There are a lot of children who need help, but can't receive timely care because their families cannot afford this surgery or are ill-educated about this condition.

"Working with Smile Train, if I can make a difference in their lives, will certainly make me feel honoured and blessed.''

There are currently over 150 Smile Train partner hospitals in India and the charity has helped in over 200,000 surgeries.

More than one million Indian children are awaiting surgery to treat cleft pallets. Only 50% of those will get the necessary care if the situation does not improve.