Press Release – Express Baazar and Lions Club International – Project Muskan (June 23, 2026)
On June 23, 2026, Express Baazar (operating as Baazar Style Retail Limited / Style Baazar) announced a collaborative community initiative with Lions Club International and the Lions Club International Foundation under the banner Project Muskan. The event was held at Express Baazar’s Axis Mall store in Kolkata and welcomed 150 children drawn from various orphanages.
The children, aged 8 to 15 years, were each paired with a Leo volunteer who acted as an elder sibling for the day. Volunteers assisted the children in navigating the store, selecting items of their own preference—including clothing, essential items, snacks, and treats—and sharing conversations over a lunch provided by Express Baazar. This format was intended to give the children the dignity of choice rather than receiving pre‑selected donations.
In addition to the shopping experience, Express Baazar presented special gifts to each participant, further enhancing the day’s memorable nature. The initiative emphasized the development of empathy among the young volunteers, as highlighted by Aayush Bagla, Past Leo‑Lion Board Liaison for Lions Clubs International, who stated that the target of Project Muskan is to let future leaders experience empathy while helping children shop and choose.
Shreyans Surana, Managing Director of Express Baazar, commented that the retailer believes “every child deserves the opportunity to dream, choose, and feel special,” and that Project Muskan aligns with the company’s view that retail can serve as a platform for meaningful experiences beyond commerce.
About Express Baazar
Express Baazar is a value‑focused retail chain that offers fashion, lifestyle, and everyday essentials across India. The brand emphasizes affordable pricing, a convenient shopping experience, and an expanding network of stores. Beyond its commercial operations, Express Baazar actively supports community initiatives that aim to create social impact and improve the well‑being of the communities it serves.
About Lions Club International
Lions Clubs International is one of the world’s largest service organizations, with over 1.4 million members in more than 200 countries. Its mission, “We Serve,” drives a wide range of humanitarian projects in youth development, education, health, hunger relief, environmental sustainability, and disaster response.
About Project Muskan
Project Muskan is a flagship initiative led by Lions and Leo Club members to bring joy, dignity, and meaningful experiences to under‑privileged children. By allowing children to choose items they desire and pairing them with young volunteers for a day of companionship, the project seeks to build confidence in children while fostering empathy and social responsibility among the volunteers.
Disclaimer: This press release is distributed under an arrangement with Newsvoir. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the content.