STARFRIDAY CULTURAL NEWS

This Valentine’s Season, Come join us in the ‘Walk for the Love of Shiksha

~ A special rally by P&G Shiksha school children, Arbaaz Khan, Huma Qureshi, Farah Khan, Neha Dhupia and Dr. Anjali Mukherjee  for the love of education (Shiksha) ~

~P&G Shiksha has built and supported over 220 schools across the length and breadth of the nation~

12^th February 2013, Mumbai: Having impacted the lives of over 3,85,000 underprivileged children in 2012, P&G’s signature CSR program P&G Shiksha is back this year  and is steaming ahead with the rally cry ‘Padhega India Badhega India’. This Valentine’s season, renowned personalities like Arbaaz Khan, Huma Qureshi, Farah Khan, Neha Dhupia and Dr. Anjali Mukherjee urged people to proclaim their love for education and joined the march to support P&G Shiksha’s vision of empowering underprivileged children with access to education.

Every child in India has the right to free and quality education; yet approximately one out of every two children do not have access to school. Stepping ahead for the cause, renowned celebrities like Arbaaz Khan, Huma Qureshi, Farah Khan, Neha Dhupia and reputed skin specialist Dr. Anjali Mukherjee  joined hands to come together on a single platform, thus participating in a historical ‘Walk for the Love of Shiksha’ along with  P&G Shiksha students to express their solidarity.

‘Walk for the love of Shiksha’ symbolizes P&G’s effort to spread awareness and gather support from the masses for an issue which is close to our heart – education for the underprivileged children.

Present at the ‘Walk for the love of Shiksha’, Shweta Shukla – Head – External Relations, P&G India said, “P&G globally is committed to enabling underprivileged children access the valuable gift of education. P&G Shiksha is our response to the situation in India. P&G Shiksha is not just an initiative, but a passion we as an organization strongly believe in. The program is unique because it empowers the consumer to make a difference by simply choosing to buy quality products from P&G. We are thrilled to see such wonderful support for ‘Walk for the Love of Shiksha’ - a manifestation of the burning cause of the education of marginalised children in the country.”

This year, many respectable names from the film fraternity namely Arbaaz Khan, Huma Qureshi and Farah Khan 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.

Popular Bollywood Actor & Director Arbaaz Khan 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.”

Speaking at this event, Huma Qureshi said, “What touches me deeply about Shiksha is that the 385,000 children have been educated so far through simple acts of contribution by consumers across India. 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.”  

Shiksha supporter and legendary dance choreographer and director Farah Khan said, “I am glad to be a part of Shiksha because I strongly feel that education is a basic right to be provided to all children. It is heartening to see a movement like Shiksha that facilitates education for underprivileged children and provides for a better living standard of life. I was delighted to hear that P&G Shiksha not only empowers underprivileged children with access to education but also provides mid-day meals and better sanitation facilities that helped to bring down the dropout rate at these schools.”

In support of the cause, actor Neha Dhupia said, “I fully support P&G Shiksha as have always believed in the power of education to bring out the best in us. I know that whatever I am today is largely due to the kind of education I have received. It was extremely happy to know that to compensate for the lack of teachers in Himachal Pradesh, P&G Shiksha introduced digital libraries and distance learning programs to help children access quality education. Thanks to Shiksha,  lakhs of children are on the path to education. Let’s get together and make this dream a reality.”

The notable Indian skin specialist Dr. Anjali Mukhejee further added “Education is one of the most critical issues that India is still facing. However, millions of children in this country today are deprived of this critical opportunity because quality education is only possible when every child has adequate nutrition, proper healthcare, safe surroundings, and doesn't have to work for a living. I support P&G Shiksha in its endeavours to make a difference and am very happy to be a part of the walkathon for education.”

Shiksha has over the years received generous support from many thought leaders and celebrities such as Anupam Kher, Dr. Kiran Bedi, Rani Mukherjee, John Abraham, Abhay Deol, Sushmita Sen, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Sharmila Tagore, Konkona Sen, Neha Dhupia, Soha Ali Khan, Lara Dutta, Preity Zinta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Jatin Das, Shaan and many more.

Shiksha also allows consumers to share in their support. This can be easily done by buying any P&G including  Tide, Ariel, Pantene, Olay, H&S, Vicks, Whisper, Gillette, Oral B, Duracell or Pampers in the months of January, February and March and part of the proceeds will go towards children’s education.

With a motto of ‘Padegha India Badhega India’- Shiksha believes that the secret to a brighter India lies in the quality education of our children.

About P&G Shiksha:

Shiksha is an integral part of P&G's global philanthropy program - focused on the development of children in need across the globe, currently reaching over 50 million children. Launched in 2004, Shiksha has grown immensely, with the help of strong support from consumers. . This year, through Shiksha, P&G aims to build more than 200 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.

To know more, visit: http://www.pgimprovinglife.com/shiksha/