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Colgate’s Bright Idea hits 2 billion smiles globally, 185 million in India
MUMBAI: A smile really does go a long way in Colgate’s case, 2 billion smiles. The oral care giant has announced that its flagship initiative and CSR arm, Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® (BSBF), has now reached over 2 billion children worldwide. In India alone, more than 185 million children and families have already been touched by the programme’s message of preventive oral health.
Launched in 1991, BSBF has become one of the world’s largest oral health education drives, offering not just toothbrushes and toothpaste but also something far more powerful: awareness. By partnering with governments, NGOs, schools and dentists, Colgate has helped make brushing and oral hygiene a priority in communities that often lack access to even the basics of dental care.
In India, where tooth decay and gum disease remain stubbornly common, the programme is working closely with state education and health departments in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Goa. Each year, the aim is to reach over 10 million more children and their families, spreading the habit of brushing and the confidence that comes with a healthy smile.
“As India shifts from reactive to preventive healthcare, public-private-policy partnerships are critical,” said Colgate-Palmolive director – esg & communications Shilpashree Muniswamappa. “Our programme is a shining example of how collaboration can inspire lasting behaviour change.”
From bustling metros to the remotest villages, Colgate’s vision is clear: every child deserves the chance to flash a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. And with 2 billion already reached, it’s proof that even the smallest habit, brushing your teeth twice a day can create truly world-changing results.
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Boeing appoints Barun as head of FP&A for global engineering function
Seasoned finance leader to steer budgets and strategy across global centres
BENGALURU: Boeing’s finance cockpit has a new pilot, and he is no stranger to turbulence or transformation. Boeing has appointed Barun as head of FP&A for global engineering, placing him at the centre of financial strategy for its worldwide engineering and technology operations.
Based in Bengaluru, Barun steps into a role that is as expansive as it is critical. He will serve as the primary finance lead for Boeing’s Engineering and Technology Centers globally, working closely with executive leadership to shape financial decisions, manage complex budgets, and design scalable finance processes that support the company’s growing engineering footprint.
In a note announcing his move Barun said, “I’m excited to share that I’ve joined Boeing Global Engineering. This opportunity is incredibly meaningful to me not just from a professional standpoint, but also for what Boeing represents globally.” He added that he looks forward to contributing to an organisation that continues to shape the future of aerospace and innovation.
Barun’s mandate spans strategic financial leadership, operational oversight, and stakeholder engagement. From directing large-scale budgets and schedules to influencing long-term organisational goals, the role blends financial discipline with business foresight. He will also lead cross-functional teams and partner with finance colleagues worldwide to support engineering programmes across geographies, including India.
The appointment caps a long stint at Juniper Networks, where Barun spent over a decade, most recently as finance senior manager. There, he led FP&A for global product business units and G&A functions, driving budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning. He also played a key role in enterprise-wide transformation, including spearheading an Oracle to SAP ERP migration and building advanced analytics capabilities using tools such as Tableau and SAP Analytics Cloud.
His earlier career includes finance leadership roles at Sony India Software Centre, Cognizant Technology Solutions, and Mphasis, where he focused on financial planning, governance frameworks, and operational efficiency across global delivery centres.
A chartered accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Barun brings nearly two decades of experience across financial planning, digital transformation, and analytics-led decision making.
His appointment comes at a time when global engineering operations are becoming increasingly complex and distributed, requiring sharper financial oversight and agile planning. With Barun at the helm of FP&A for engineering, Boeing appears to be tightening its financial playbook as it looks to scale innovation with discipline.
