The India Project was created in 1968 by Padmashree Dr. Sharad Kumar Dicksheet, an eight time Nobel Peace Prize nominated philanthropic plastic surgeon from NYC. Over his lifetime, Dr. Sharad Dicksheet performed nearly 100,000 cleft lip/palate surgeries and 100,000+ eye surgeries and dermatologic procedures for the children and youth of India; although he, himself, was dealing with life-threatening health issues. In 1978, the right side of Dr. Dicksheet’s body was paralyzed after a major car accident. In 1981, he was diagnosed with stage 4 laryngeal cancer which he survived, but his ability to speak was greatly impaired. In 1996, he suffered a major heart attack and was confined to a wheelchair. As he battled these life-altering challenges, he continued to spend 6 months a year in India, keeping a tireless schedule and performing facial repair procedures until his death in 2011.

Lead by Dr. Supriya Dixit Hayer, daughter of Dr. Dicksheet, the India Project continues to support the underserved children of India, conducting multiple facial reconstruction camps each year. At each camp, the India Project team performs thousands of cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial reconstruction surgeries at no cost to the patient.
To better serve the people of India, the India Project has developed several critical social initiatives, including health screenings in slum communities, rural education projects, craft revival, women’s health education, and sustainability programs. These initiatives have impacted the lives of thousands of women, children, and members of the LGBTQ (Hijra) community, creating opportunities for better health and a better life.