Tarq Foundation Partners with Colgate and Government of Haryana to Advance Oral Health Education for 57 Lakh School Children

VMPL
New Delhi [India], February 25: Tarq Foundation, in partnership with Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited and the Government of Haryana, is supporting the statewide expansion of Colgate's flagship initiative, Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® (BSBF). The collaboration will deliver structured oral health education to 57 lakh school children across Haryana.
The BSBF program currently reaches over 10 million children annually across various Indian states. Its expansion in Haryana represents a significant step in embedding preventive oral health education within the state's public and private school systems at scale.
Impacting school children in Haryana through BSBF carries substantial public health and educational value. As one of the longest-running and most expansive oral health education programs globally, BSBF addresses both immediate health needs and long-term well-being, reinforcing the importance of preventive care during formative years.
"Ensuring the health and well-being of our children is central to our vision for Haryana's future. Through this collaboration with Colgate, we aim to strengthen awareness and embed preventive oral hygiene practices among students across the state, supporting their overall development and confidence," said Shri Nayab Singh Saini Ji, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Haryana.
The statewide rollout integrates structured oral health education directly into Haryana's educational framework, reinforcing preventive care at a stage when lifelong habits are shaped. By embedding this awareness within established systems, the initiative aims to drive sustained, large-scale behavioural change.
"Preventive health education, when delivered consistently and embedded early, creates powerful ripple effects beyond the classroom. Children become ambassadors of healthy habits within their families and communities. This collaboration reinforces our dedication to fostering lasting behavioural change." said Ms. Shilpashree Muniswamappa, Director - ESG & Communications, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited.
Designed as a comprehensive preventive health initiative, the programme will include age-appropriate in-school sessions, teacher capacity building, visual reinforcement through Oral Health Boards, and take-home dental kits with brushing calendars to strengthen habit formation both in classrooms and at home.
"At Tarq Foundation, we see this collaboration as a reflection of evolved thinking; where corporate commitment and government vision converge to build institutional, scalable solutions. Haryana is emerging as a dynamic and forward-looking state, investing in the holistic development of its young citizens. By integrating preventive oral health into school systems, we are ensuring that healthy habits are not taught once, but practiced consistently to drive real, generational impact." said Mr. Manoviraj Singh, Founding Partner, Tarq Foundation.
A Legacy of Global and National Impact Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® (BSBF) program has achieved remarkable scale, benefiting over 195 million children across India and more than 2 billion children and their families globally since its inception. This success is driven by robust public-private partnerships across multiple Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Kerala, Assam, Puducherry, and Goa.
The Haryana collaboration marks a significant milestone in expanding the programme's reach. The kick-off meeting was attended by dignitaries and implementation partners, including Mr. Sunil Sharma, Chief Coordinator (industries), HoD (Estate, Commercial & Housing, KMP and Mining), Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporate Limited, Mr. Aditya Madan, Chief Liaison Officer, iHub - AWaDH, IIT Ropar, and Ms. Lakshana Asthana, Founding Partner, Tarq Foundation.
About Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited
Colgate-Palmolive is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, and the planet. Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited is the market leader in Oral Care in the country, committed to delivering sustainable, profitable growth for its shareholders, while fostering an inclusive workplace for its people. With a primary focus on science-led innovations in Oral Care & Personal Care in the Indian market, the company is recognized for its leadership and innovative efforts in advancing sustainability and community well-being. Among its recent accomplishments, the company has made significant strides in reducing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, conserving water and energy at its manufacturing facilities, empowering women with financial and digital literacy and enhancing children's oral health through its flagship, Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program. For more information about Colgate's global business and how it is building a future to smile about, visit: www.colgatepalmolive.co.in
About Tarq Foundation
Tarq Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation focused on engineering Corporate Social Returns through systems-led design and execution. Working across critical and underserved geographies, the Foundation translates corporate CSR intent into structured, measurable outcomes aligned with community needs and national priorities.
For more information, visit: www.tarqfoundation.org
MEDIA CONTACTS
Aditi Mishra
Tarq Foundation | E: aditi@tarq.org
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