MAM
Harpic, News18 Network, Sesame Workshop India Trust’s ‘Swoosh Germs Away Kit’ debuts at Davos
Mumbai : The first-of-its-kind innovative Swoosh Germs Away! kit by Harpic India, designed in collaboration with News18 Network and Sesame Workshop India Trust has made its debut at the World Economic Forum 2024 in Davos. The kit, unveiled in September 2023 in India by the honorable president of India Droupadi Murmu, is part of Mission Swachhta aur Paani, a pan-India campaign that champions inclusive sanitation practices and advocates for appropriate toilet behavior throughout the nation.
Hardeep Singh Puri, union minister for housing & urban affairs and minister for petroleum and natural gas, at Davos lauded the unique kit for its innovation and transformative power. He said, “I am very happy to witness projects centered around children, focusing on their well-being, education about the importance of sanitation, and the rational use of water. The display of such initiatives at Davos is truly commendable. Congratulations on showcasing these impactful projects.”
Reckitt director, external affairs & partnerships, South Asia Ravi Bhatnagar said, “At Reckitt, we are consistently striving to build an environment that enables better lives and nurtures the young generation towards a promising future. We are deeply honored to witness the ‘Swoosh Germs Away!’ kit being recognized globally at the World Economic Forum in Davos. This pivotal milestone in our ongoing mission to promote sanitation for better health puts focus back on the importance of education and the role children play as young ambassadors who understand the importance of cleanliness and hygiene. We are grateful for the support that we have received and will continue to stand at the forefront of fostering a healthier future.”
The kit based on the ‘Sanitation Hygiene Education Framework’ gained attention at the World Economic Forum in Davos with Workshop India Trust managing director Sonali Khan Sesame highlighting its unique interactive features that enable sustained behavioral adoption and practice by children to the world leaders. Khan said, “We’re excited about the global response to our innovative kit, confirming its potential as a transformative tool. In a world dealing with hygiene issues, our kit is a promising model for replication. Crafted to inspire children globally, it’s a crucial step in emphasising the importance of sanitation for optimal health. At the World Economic Forum 2024, we highlighted concerns and called for collective global action on sanitation. Our kit aims to provide concrete learning experiences, blending multi-sensorial assets and play-based methods to empower children with practical life skills.”
The kit is a major stride in promoting hygiene education and cultivating positive toilet habits among students. Aligned with the National Education Policy and National Curriculum Framework, it includes 3D pop-up books, jigsaw puzzles, and an activity booklet featuring Sesame’s engaging characters—Elmo, Chamki, Neela Jaadugar, and KK Kitanu. With these fun characters, learning becomes faster and more enjoyable. To date, the program has actively involved more than 200,000 children and aspires to extend its impact to 1.7 million children in the state of Odisha.
Mission Swachhta aur Paani, a collaborative initiative by Harpic and News18, is a nationwide campaign dedicated to fostering sustainable sanitation practices and ensuring access to clean water. Now into its third season, the campaign’s core objective is to galvanize the nation towards the universal provision of clean and safe toilets, transforming it into a widespread movement. Aligned with the Swachh Bharat Mission and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, this initiative is committed to generating awareness and catalyzing actionable measures that leave no individual behind in the pursuit of these goals.
A + E Networks, TV18 , CEO Network18 (broadcast) and managing director Avinash Kaul expressed, “In the esteemed global aggregation at Davos, we are proud that our initiative positioned India as a trailblazer, spearheading micro-initiatives worldwide to address the critical challenges of hygiene and sanitation. The introduction of our ‘Sanitation Hygiene Education Framework’ on this prestigious platform serves as a call to action, urging and inspiring leaders to launch initiatives that educate children about the profound connection between sanitation and overall well-being. Through this framework, our goal is to spark a global movement, nurturing a generation of informed and empowered individuals who grasp the pivotal role of sanitation in shaping a healthier future.”
Kaul further stated, “Our endeavor, ‘Mission Swachhta aur Paani’, in collaboration with Reckitt, underscores our dedication to fostering a value-driven partnership. I am thankful to Reckitt India for owning this cause and look forward to further building this collaboration that embodies the spirit of driving initiatives that prioritize cleanliness and water, contributing to the collective endeavor for a healthier and more sustainable world.”
What makes this curriculum unique is its focus on inculcating toilet etiquette in kids at an early age. Through interaction with the innovative Germ Locator kit, children are exposed to the seeds of knowledge and responsibility.
With about 2.2 million lives lost annually in India due to diarrhoea, a significant 1.87 million of whom are children under the age of five, the imperative to tackle this pressing public health crisis is undeniable. The kit curriculum offers a ray of hope, aimed at instilling essential sanitation and hygiene practices among children. This initiative holds the potential to make a decisive contribution towards mitigating such devastating occurrences.
MAM
BLR Airport Launches ‘Connections’ Service to Ease Transit Travel
New initiative targets smoother transfers as Bengaluru hub traffic rises 30 per cent.
MUMBAI: Missed connections may be a traveller’s nightmare but Bengaluru is trying to make them a thing of the past. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has rolled out ‘Connections by BLR’, a new transfer programme designed to take the friction out of connecting journeys. Built around three pillars ease, efficiency and experience,the initiative aims to simplify what is often the most stressful leg of air travel.
The move comes as transfer traffic at BLR Airport climbs sharply, up more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Transfers currently account for around 15 per cent of total passenger traffic and are projected to touch 20 per cent by 2026, signalling a clear shift in how the airport is positioning itself within airline networks.
At its core, the programme focuses on making navigation intuitive and downtime more comfortable. Dedicated transfer desks have been set up across terminals, supported by colour-coded wayfinding blue and yellow signage designed for quick recognition. Inter-terminal movement is being streamlined through complimentary shuttle services with predictable wait times, while designated transfer zones aim to reduce passenger confusion.
Beyond logistics, the airport is leaning into experience. Travellers in transit now have access to a wider choice of lounges, curated retail and food and beverage options, as well as sleeping pods for short stays. For longer layovers, transit hotels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer boutique in-terminal accommodation, an increasingly sought-after feature as global travel patterns evolve.
The timing is strategic. BLR Airport now connects to 114 passenger destinations 80 domestic and 34 international with key routes spanning Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune domestically, and Singapore, London Heathrow, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur internationally. Recent additions such as Hindon, Bidar and Silchar within India, alongside Dammam, Hanoi and Riyadh overseas, are further expanding its reach.
Infrastructure is also catching up with ambition. Developments including the West Cross Taxiway, Terminal 1 refurbishment and Terminal 2 expansion are laying the groundwork for higher capacity and smoother operations critical for any airport aiming to become a serious transfer hub.
Bangalore International Airport Limited chief operating officer Girish Nair framed the initiative as both a response to demand and a forward-looking play. He pointed to the growing depth of the airport’s network and the opportunity to build a more reliable transfer ecosystem that benefits both passengers and airline partners.
In an era where travel is as much about transitions as destinations, BLR Airport is betting that a seamless connection might just be the journey’s most important upgrade.
