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Reckitt’s flagship initiative, Dettol Banega Swasth India (BSI), marked Global Handwashing Day 2024 by reaching 30 million children across India. Themed ‘Clean Hands for All: Advancing Health Equity through Hygiene,’ the event emphasised Dettol's commitment to providing essential hygiene education to children from all backgrounds.
The Dettol School Hygiene Education programme engaged 30 million children across 29 states and 7 union territories, supported by over 100 partners. The campaign promoted proper handwashing techniques in various educational institutions, including Sarvodaya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Army Schools, and Kendriya Vidyalayas.
As part of its innovative approach, Dettol BSI introduced the Hygieia For Good Hygiene chatbot, inspired by the Greek goddess of health and cleanliness. This AI-powered, WhatsApp-enabled chatbot provides crucial hygiene knowledge in seven languages: Hindi, English, Tamil, Kannada, Odia, Gujarati, and Telugu, with plans to expand to all 22 official Indian languages. The chatbot aims to foster greater engagement and awareness of hygiene practices.
Ravi Bhatnagar, Director of External Affairs and Partnerships at Reckitt South Asia, remarked, “At Reckitt, we are committed to breaking barriers to hygiene education and creating a healthier future for every child. Our long-standing commitment to hygiene equity is aligned with the Government of India’s Clean India movement, ensuring every child can learn the life-saving practice of handwashing.”
In 2023 alone, the campaign facilitated over 34 billion handwashing occasions, emphasising the importance of hygiene habits. It educates children on six critical times for handwashing, including after using the toilet and before meals, under the ongoing theme of ‘One World Hygiene.’
Padma Shri S. Damodaran, Founder of Gramalaya, highlighted the significance of hygiene education, stating, “The Rig Veda teaches that water dispels disease and sustains life. Safe water, sanitation, and hygiene—especially handwashing with soap—are essential to prevent illness.”
Mohammad Asif, Executive Director of Plan India, added, “Handwashing with soap is a basic right and necessity for all. At Plan India, we work to ensure every child and community has access to hygiene facilities and awareness.”
Sanjeev Dham, Deputy CEO of MAMTA HIMC, expressed enthusiasm for the campaign, stating, “Together, we are empowering the next generation to understand that clean hands are a powerful tool in the fight against disease.”
Dettol Banega Swasth India remains committed to promoting health equity by providing hygiene resources to underserved communities. As Global Handwashing Day 2024 concludes, Gramalaya, in collaboration with Dettol BSI, has launched a campaign to engage 1 crore children in schools, spreading hygiene awareness nationwide. To join the movement, participants can give a missed call to the toll-free number 18001236848 from a WhatsApp-enabled mobile phone.
