P&G’s Shiksha building 20+ schools across India
Unveiled layout of one school, inspired by student’s painting of a ‘dream school’
· Shiksha impacted lives of 150,0001 children till 2010, aims to take number to 200,000 [1] and build 20 more schools in 2011
· Shiksha ambassadors Anupam Kher, Dr. Kiran Bedi & supporter Jacqueline Fernandes unveil the plan for the RTI-Shiksha School, inspired by one of the student’s idea of a dream school
· Consumers can contribute towards education by contributing ‘shampoo-by-shampoo’, ‘detergent-by-detergent’ by buying P&G products and help build schools ‘brick-by-brick’
Delhi: Shiksha is now in its 7th year, and is back with an even stronger commitment - to take its current impact of 150,000 children to the 200,000 mark. At an event in Delhi today, Shiksha ambassadors Anupam Kher and Dr. Kiran Bedi as well as recent Shiksha supporter Jacqueline Fernandes unveiled the plan of the Shiksha-RTI School in Purkhas, Haryana. This school is one of the 20+ schools that Shiksha is building in 2010-11 alone, and what makes it unique is that it’s layout has been planned with inspiration from paintings made by the beneficiary children, depicting their idea of a ‘dream school’. P&G’s Shiksha, with NGO Round Table India, conducted a painting competition at the RTI-Shiksha Purkas School in Haryana where each child sketched their idea of ‘My Dream School’. The winning painting, by a student named Madhu, was showcased at the press conference and has been the inspiration for developing the layout plan of the school. In keeping with its vision of building the educational future of India ‘brick-by-brick’, Shiksha is currently supporting 100+ existing schools across India, has begun building 20 schools in 2010-11 and aims to build another 20 in the coming year.
Quality educational infrastructure that empowers children with their right to education is truly critical for the development of India - a nation with one of the largest population of uneducated children in the world, has just 54%[2] of all children in the age group 11-14 years enrolled in schools. What’s worse is that as many as 50%[3] of those who do enroll in class I drop out by class VII.
We all hear alarming facts like these often and feel the urge to contribute within our means. P&G’s signature CSR Program “Shiksha” understands this national concern, and gives consumers a simple yet powerful way to participate in building India’s educational future. Every time a consumer buys P&G products such as Tide, Ariel, Pampers, Whisper, Olay, Vicks, Gillette Oral-B, Head & Shoulders, Pantene and Duracell in the month of April, May & June, Shiksha contributes a portion of the proceeds towards children’s education.
This year, Anupam Kher – Renowned Actor & Brand Ambassador, Shiksha, Dr. Kiran Bedi – Prolific Social Activist & Bollywood Beauty – Jacqueline Fernandes came on-board to extend their selfless support to Shiksha, encouraging consumers to help lead more and more underprivileged children on the path to education.
Speaking at this event, Anupam Kher said, “It feels wonderful to have witnessed Shiksha evolving from being a social initiative to a consumer movement that it is today and I am extremely proud to be associated with it. I urge you to remember that the next time you walk into a store to shop for something basic like a shampoo, a toothbrush or a detergent - you can help educate a lesser-privileged child by making a simple brand choice.”
Dr. Kiran Bedi said, “Shiksha is a unique initiative that not only helps children access their right to education, but provides them quality educational infrastructure - all this through of a simple act from consumers. The motto ‘Padhega India, Badhega India’ is also something I personally believe in, and it resonates with my personal vision for the education and empowerment of the children of India.”
Jacqueline Fernandes was quoted saying, “What touches me deeply about Shiksha is that the 150,000 children have been educated so far through simple acts of contribution by consumers across India. This year, Shiksha aims to build 20 + schools that will enable 2,00,000 children access the right to education.”
Commenting on the occasion, Arvind Chari, Regional Manager, P&G India said, ‘‘Shiksha is not just an initiative, but a passion that we as an organization strongly believe in. After touching the lives of 150,000 children, we are now helping build the future of India’s children “Brick by Brick” by building 20 schools this year and an aim to build another 20 in the coming year and take Shiksha’s impact to 200,000 children. After all, “Padhega India, tabhi toh Badhega India”
On the occasion of this event in Delhi Round Table India President Mr. Vivek Vardhan Prasad, commented “Round Table India is delighted to partner with P&G to create more opportunities for young India to participate and contribute in the nations incredible social and economic growth story. Round Table India thanks all those consumers who through their participation help P&G Shiksha in liberating underprivileged children from the shackles of poverty, degradation and child labour. It gives us great pleasure to announce that under this partnership work on 18 School Projects in various Parts Of The Country Have Started with many more yet to come.”
Shiksha has been successful in impacting 150,000 children thus far, in association with leading NGOs - Round Table India (RTI), Child Rights and You (CRY), Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) amongst others. NGO Round Table India is spearheading the identification, establishment, completion and maintenance of RTI Shiksha School projects in the country as a joint partner bringing onboard expertise in building schools as well as contribution towards funds.
P&G brands Tide, Ariel, Pampers, Whisper, Olay, Vicks, Gillette Oral-B, Head & Shoulders, Pantene and Duracell, contribute to Shiksha in the months of April, May and June. Shiksha channelizes a part of the proceeds from these sales towards educating underprivileged children. Irrespective of sales, P&G will commit a minimum of Rs 1 crore towards the donation funds of Shiksha every year. With a motto of ‘Padhega India, Badhega India’ - Shiksha believes that the secret to a brighter India lies in the quality education of our children.
Shiksha is an integral part of P&G's global philanthropy program - Live, Learn & Thrive - focused on the development of children in need across the globe, currently reaching over 50 million children. Launched in 2004, Shiksha has grown immensely and is today a National Consumer Movement with strong support from consumers. This year, P&G, through Shiksha will build more than 20 schools across the nation to give more children the invaluable gift of education with a focus to build more schools in the years to come.
For further information, please contact:
Atul Malikram
9827092823
