The expanded initiative aims to reach more than 68,000 students in this next phase.
29 Oct 2024 | 1523 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
Toyota Kirloskar Motor announced the expansion of its ‘A Behavioural Change Demonstration’ (ABCD) programme to 400 additional government schools in Karnataka's Raichur district for FY25 and FY26. Building on the programme's success across 100 schools in the past two years, which impacted over 26,000 students, the expanded initiative aims to ...
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Toyota Kirloskar Motor announced the expansion of its ‘A Behavioural Change Demonstration’ (ABCD) programme to 400 additional government schools in Karnataka's Raichur district for FY25 and FY26. Building on the programme's success across 100 schools in the past two years, which impacted over 26,000 students, the expanded initiative aims to reach more than 68,000 students in this next phase.
The expansion was inaugurated with a one-day orientation session for school headmasters at the Krishi Vigyana Kendra (KVK) in Raichur. Deputy Commissioner of Raichur, Mr. Nitish K., IAS, led the event as the Chief Guest, emphasizing the programme’s mission to equip headmasters with effective strategies for delivering the hygiene and sanitation curriculum to students.
As part of the expanded programme, TKM will conduct training sessions focused on hand washing, sanitation, water conservation, waste management, and personal hygiene practices. The initiative will also provide sanitary pads to 24,000 adolescent girls through March 2026, promoting menstrual hygiene management to support their health and well-being. Additionally, TKM will supply essential sanitation items, including buckets, mugs, cleaning agents, hand soap, and mopping tools, to help maintain hygiene standards in participating schools.
The programme further seeks to empower students to advocate for sanitation improvements in their communities and engage families in building household toilets where needed. Community involvement will be strengthened through awareness campaigns, video demonstrations, and annual quizzes and drawing competitions aimed at reinforcing the lessons taught in schools.
Deputy Commissioner Nitish K., IAS, said, “Education today is not just about academic excellence but about nurturing responsible, aware citizens who understand the importance of health and hygiene. The ABCD programme by Toyota Kirloskar Motor is a shining example of how private enterprises can meaningfully contribute to community well-being. By teaching essential sanitation and hygiene practices to young minds, the programme creates a foundation for healthier, more resilient communities.”
Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs & Governance at TKM, said the success of the first phase of the programme has encouraged us to scale up their efforts and reach an additional 400 schools in Raichur. “Through this expanded initiative, we aim to not only improve sanitation in schools but also foster a culture of awareness and positive change across the community,” he said.
Launched in 2015, the ABCD programme has helped in improving sanitation awareness, particularly in Karnataka’s Ramanagara district. By 2019, it had reached over 1,000 schools, benefiting 58,000 students and 430,000 community members. Revitalized in August 2023, the programme aligns with the national Swachh Bharat Abhiyan mission, contributing to India's sanitation and hygiene improvement efforts.
With partnerships with the education department, local authorities, and other key stakeholders, TKM aims to drive sustainable change and foster long-term improvements in hygiene and sanitation across the Raichur district.