Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited

Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited addresses HIV/AIDS through its 'A Positive Step' program in collaboration with the NGO NTP+, supporting HIV-infected and affected children. The company matches employee sponsorship donations and covers administrative costs. Employees also volunteer and participate in an annual marathon to support the cause. Initially aiding a few children, the program Now supports 89, positively impacting their education and health. Colgate also launched the 'Knowledge Garden' initiative in 2016 to encourage creativity and learning among these children. The program fosters confidence, and some youth are pursuing higher education.

Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited runs the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program, aiming to improve children's oral health. Recognizing the role of oral health in overall well-being, it focuses on teaching good habits to children early. As a leader in India's oral care, the company partners with the Indian Dental Association to educate children aged 6 to 14 in primary schools. The program emphasizes proper brushing techniques, night brushing, and preventive care. Each child receives a Dental Health Pack, and teachers are trained with guides to reinforce oral care messages.

Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited launched the Oral Health Month (OHM) campaign in 2004 with the Indian Dental Association (IDA) to address declining oral health standards. Running from November to December, the initiative promotes oral hygiene and offers free dental check-ups nationwide. Initially a six-city program with 70 dentists, OHM now includes in-clinic check-ups, school programs, mobile dental vans, and more. The 2016 campaign, themed 'Keep India Smiling,' reached over 6 million people. OHM has become a significant oral health awareness effort, continuously expanding its reach and impact in India.

Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited addresses water scarcity through its "Making Every Drop of Water Count" initiative. Recognizing the critical need for clean water, it focuses on water stewardship and partnerships to provide clean water to underserved communities. Colgate collaborates with NGOs like 'Water for People' to implement water conservation, recycling, and zero discharge programs. Since 2012, it has supported regions in Bihar and West Bengal with clean water and sanitation projects. The company also launched a new initiative in Maharashtra to improve water access and educate communities on water conservation. On World Water Day 2017, Colgate honored individuals contributing to water conservation. The Amravati Water Program, launched in 2017, aims to provide water access, hygiene, and sanitation to villages in Maharashtra, building on Colgate's earlier successes in Bihar and West Bengal.

Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited launched the 'Saksham' initiative to enhance the employability of underprivileged youth. Partnering with SEEDs and IL&FS Skills, the program follows National Skill Development Council guidelines and offers 45-day training with multi-media content. Participants, from economically weaker urban and rural backgrounds, receive grooming in social skills and interact with Colgate's customer development teams and business partners. Since its inception in March 2016, the program has trained 202 youth, with 151 already employed. 'Saksham' aims to expand, empowering more young people by improving their employability.

Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited collaborates with Seva Mandir, a non-profit organization in Udaipur, Rajasthan, to support education, women's empowerment, and environmental programs. In 2016, it launched the 'Colgate Seva Mandir Education Scholarship Program' for disadvantaged children, mainly girls, from tribal and rural areas. The program sponsors school fees, hostel costs, study materials, uniforms, travel, special coaching, and other support for five years at Vidya Mandir School. Colgate also helps improve school infrastructure, providing safe drinking water, computers, and renovating facilities. This initiative aims to offer quality education and better opportunities for these children.

Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited partners with Pratham to support the 'Read India' program, providing quality education to underprivileged children. The initiative, started in 1994, aims to develop basic mathematics and language skills in children from disadvantaged communities. Colgate provides educational materials and recognition certificates, and initiated employee volunteering in 2016 to enhance children's reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. The program runs learning camps in various communities and continues to encourage children's regular attendance and enthusiasm. Colgate's support contributes to empowering children through education, helping eradicate poverty in the long-term.