Reckitt, world’s leading consumer health and hygiene company, under its flagship campaign Dettol Banega Swasth India today launched India’s first and biggest Hygiene Olympiad – Dettol Hygiene Olympiad. Built on the fundamentals of good hygiene laying the foundation of good health, this Olympiad will reach 24 million children, motivating them to enhance their reasoning, analytical and problem-solving skills in the context of hygiene, making every day hygiene practices their second nature. A natural extension to the Dettol School Hygiene Curriculum, the initiative further cements Reckitt’s belief in addressing hygiene gaps that are imperative in India’s journey to better health. 

Powered by Dettol Banega Swasth India, the Olympiad is supported by the Dettol School Hygiene Programme’s outreach partners – Plan India, Sesame Workshop India, Gramalaya, Apollo Foundation, Amar Jyoti Yuvak Sangha, MAMTA HIMC, Balipara Foundation, Jagran, and the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA), along with Ernst and Young LLP (EY) as the technical partner and is curated by Indian Talent Olympiad. Open to children between 5 to 15 years of age, the Olympiad experience will help students understand the interdependency between hygiene, health and keeping loved ones protected. 

An independent evaluation of the Dettol Hygiene School programme in 2021 has found a 57% Reduction in school absenteeism, over the 39% reduction found in 2020. In addition, children’s knowledge of handwashing has improved by 61% and their sanitation practice has increased by 62%. The Dettol Hygiene Olympiad will help build awareness among parents, teachers and children on addressing their hygiene literacy gaps and work towards further improving handwashing practices, helping further reduce school absenteeism and promote pro-hygiene behaviours.

Mr. Gaurav Jain, Senior Vice President, Reckitt – South Asia said, “Reckitt has been at the forefront of building a healthier planet through focused interventions under our purpose programs. The launch of Dettol Hygiene Olympiad is another step towards driving positive impact in society through sustainable investments that will help promote pro-hygiene behaviour among children.”