P&G helped 150,000 kids with education through project Shiksha

P&G consumers across India have helped educate 150,000 children through the company's flagship Corporate Social Responsibility Program Shiksha ' A unique program that gives consumers a chance to contribute to the cause of education by simply purchasing any pack of P&G brands, such as Tide, Pantene, Pampers and Gillette, in the month of April, May and June. Project Shiksha channelizes a part of the proceeds from these sales towards the education of underprivileged children, and is a part of P&G's global philanthropy program P&G Live, Learn and Thrive.

Shiksha 2010 closed another successful year with a cumulative donation of Rs.17 Crores over the last 6 years, at a special presentation ceremony attended by Bollywood celebrities Neha Dhupia & Minissha Lamba, as well as best-selling author Chetan Bhagat. The funds will be channelized through Shiskha's NGO Partners Child Rights & You (CRY), Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), Round Table India (RTI) and Navy Wives Welfare Association (NWWA) to empower underprivileged children with the right to education and bring Shiksha's motto of "Padhega India, Badhega India' to life.

Shweta Shukla, Head ' External Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility, Procter & Gamble India said, "Our vision of purpose-inspired growth continues to be what drives us to touch and improve more lives, everyday. Project Shiksha is a program very dear to us at P&G, as we have seen it grow over 6 years thanks to the support of ngos, partners and all consumers that are choosing our brands to help the cause. Having donated over 17 crores till date, reaching out to over 150,000 children, we realize that this is still just a small step towards a brighter India, and we intend to take many more. That's why our motto ' Padhega India. Badhega India."

Shiksha Supporter and Bollywood Actor Neha Dhupia 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 genuinely feel Shiksha is one beautifully woven program that enables every individual to contribute to the society and lead a social change by providing its children with better education."

Shiksha Supporter and Bollywood Actor Minnisha Lamba said, "What touches me deeply about Shiksha is that the 150,000 children educated have been through simple acts of contribution by consumers across India. It gives a chance for an average consumer to be able to make a large impact in the life of an underprivileged child by giving him or her the invaluable gift of education. Today I had an opportunity to interact with some of the children who would be able to achieve their dream with the help of Shiksha. This was truly a special experience for me"

Shiksha Supporter and Best-Selling Author Chetan Bhagat said, "Shiksha is a unique initiative that not only helps children access their right to education, but also ensures their overall well being - all this because of a simple act from consumers. It is very touching to know that such initiatives will help the future minds of this country. I will do all I can to support this cause in any possible way and I would like to urge all Indians to do the same."