Our Story: Building The Inclusion Movement in Bengaluru
We started as a small group of friends wanting to spread joy. Today, we are a city-wide movement supporting 25+ special schools. See how we grew.
What happened to Smileys? This is a group picture from our very first event in 2011. We started with a simple idea to spread joy, and it grew into something much bigger.
We realized our work needed structure, so we started The Inclusion Movement. We now support over 25 special schools and 1032 children every single weekend, thanks to our committed volunteers.
A fun trend video showing the different ways our volunteers get involved. From Tandav and the Buddy Project to art and sign language, there are countless ways to be part of our community.
This is what our community looks like. A huge group of passionate people who show up, ready to work, dance, and create something beautiful together. This is the team that makes our Tandav festival possible every year.
About Our Story & Our People
If you see us on a Saturday, you will find us at a special school, not in a boardroom. We ask for a three-hour commitment every weekend because showing up consistently is the only way to build real trust. This is not about one-off visits. It is about becoming a familiar face to the kids, a reliable buddy, and a part of their routine. You do not need experience to start, just the willingness to show up when you say you will.
We began back in 2011 as 'Smileys.' It was just a few friends meeting on Sundays, armed with nothing but colors, books, and a simple idea to give back. We did not know then that those weekend drives would turn into a movement spanning 25+ special schools and reaching over 1,000 children every single weekend.
Moving From Smileys to The Inclusion Movement
As more people joined, we realized we needed structure to sustain the impact. That is when we became 'The Inclusion Movement.' We stopped being just a casual group and started operating as a structured community. We applied for incubation, built processes, and started tracking our impact. But we never lost the soul of Smileys—the fun, the art, and the belief that everyone can do something.
Welcome to Karmasthan
Our latest chapter is Karmasthan, located in BTM Layout. It is India's first social space dedicated to volunteering and inclusion. Think of it as a community living room. This is where we host our sign language workshops, craft for a cause, and plan our big events like the Tandav dance festival. It is a place where you can walk in as a stranger and walk out as part of a family.
Why We Do It
We believe inclusion is not a favor we do for someone; it is the way we should live. Whether it is our open mic nights, our inclusive treks, or our Saturday school visits, everything we do is aimed at breaking stereotypes. We use dance, art, and sport because they are universal languages that do not require perfect ability—just an open heart. If you are in Bengaluru and looking for a place to channel your energy, come by. Let us make some noise, do some good, and keep the josh high.
Smileys
We are just a bunch of friends who realized that doing good is better when you do it together. We moved from Sunday meetups to building Karmasthan, and the energy has not changed a bit. We are always looking for people who want to show up, dance, and be human.
Find your way to volunteer
Search our events, workshops, and weekend slots to see where you fit best.
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