Smile Train is a global Non-Profit Organization which is on a mission to provide free treatment to children born with Cleft Lip defect.Dr Shrirang Pandit our Founder and Plastic Surgery expert has been a part of Smile Train India’s work in Pune for more than 17 years now.  This venture is being successfully carried on at Poona Hospital in Pune. Dr Shrirang Pandit, in his recent interview with Vividh Bharati, explains in detail all the questions that revolve around cleft palate and cleft lip which are actually major issues. He explains the presence of a hollow space in either one or both sides of the lip or even the palate. This is what cleft lip and cleft palate is. Often, the babies born with this defect have a rather different appearance which is a cause of huge concern for their parents and close family members. Not only does this hollow space affect the appearance but it also affects the overall health of the baby as the baby, as it grows, finds difficulty in speaking, eating, growth of teeth, etc. He also elaborates that although the reason behind this issue is still being speculated, he mentions there is a hereditary connection. Also, if the mother has a deficiency of Vitamin B6, it is likely that this defect will be present in the baby. He cancels out any and all superstitious beliefs that revolve around the said effect. Treating cleft lip and palate on time is what Dr Shrirang Pandit stresses upon. The surgeries have to be performed at various ages in different stages. It requires a team of paediatrician, anaesthesiologist, ENT specialist, Oral Maxillofacial surgeon, speech therapist, etc. and all of these are leaded by an expert plastic surgeon. The first surgery involving the correction of the lip must be performed during three to six months after the baby is born. The second one involves the correction of the palate which is between the ages 12 to 18 months. A surgery might be performed at age 5 years to correct any defects within the nose or to improve speech. The next important surgery involves the reconstruction of the gums with the help of bone graft. The last step of the surgery is done in between 18 to 20 years to correct the defects of the nose and the jaws. It is necessary to perform these surgeries on the correct time to maintain the benefits of the surgeries throughout the life. Dr Shrirang Pandit also emphasizes on the role of parents in all of these procedures regarding the utmost care of the ward and a healthy healing and speedy recovery.