Date:03/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/03/stories/2006040306210200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

MNC gesture for the underprivileged

Susan Muthalaly

Anita Ratnam, Shreya, Soha Ali Khan and Siddharth introduce this year's project Dancer Anita Ratnam and actors introduce this year's project

CHENNAI: Their recent movie was about caring enough to change things. So, it only seemed natural that Soha Ali Khan and Siddharth of Rang De Basanti fame would agree to support a project to promote education among India's underprivileged children.

Along with dancer Anita Ratnam and actor Shreya, they introduced Shiksha 2006, an undertaking by P&G and CRY. From April to June, customers who buy large packs of nine prescribed P&G products from the market, including soap powder, shampoos and sanitary napkins, will be contributing about 50 paise from each product towards education of a child.

The multinational company has pledged a minimum of Rs.1 crore for Shiksha projects this year. The money will go towards helping 15,000 children, including 11,000 from 109 villages, already being supported by the project, said Regina Thomas, Regional Director (South) of CRY.

The activities include enrolling children in formal schools, campaigning for children's' rights, spreading awareness of education and health issues and setting up anganwadis, bal sabhas and bal bhawans. The products that will be contributing to the Shiksha project include Tide, Ariel, Pantene, Head and Shoulders, Rejoice, Vicks Vaporub, Whisper, Gillette Mach 3 Turbo and Pampers.