Using chalk stick to wash hands as kids step towards 'Swasth India'

New Delhi, Nov 13 : Could a chalk stick be a hand wash? In a move to engage primary school students and inculcate in them the habit of hand washing, hygiene brand Savlon has launched for Children's Day a set of unique chalk sticks infused with soap cleansers.

The chalk sticks are designed to engage children in primary schools and emphasise the importance of washing hands before eating.

The launch is a part of Savlon's 'Swasth India Mission', a programme designed to encourage behavioural change in favour of washing hands among children through various engaging and entertaining educational initiatives in schools. It promotes the idea of ‘Healthier Kids, Stronger India'.

It is backed by a video campaign which shows the everyday habits of children in schools who use chalk and slate. Most of them use their hands to erase their slates. Their hands are usually full of chalk powder at the end of their lessons, which are followed by a meal-break and washing of hands is often limited to a quick rinse under a tap.

Access to basic hygiene may at times be a challenge and washing hands with cleansers like soap before a meal is yet to become a widespread habit. 

The solution to this is the new chalk stick where the chalk powder on the hand turns into a cleanser like soap and generates lather as soon as it is placed under water.

Sameer Satpathy, chief executive, Personal Care Products Business, ITC Limited, said in a statement: "Hand hygiene is a critical issue. We believe, to induce behavioural change among children, the process of communication and education has to be fun, engaging and memorable.

"In that context, the chalk sticks are a simple yet interesting innovation. It is an engaging way to educate children on the importance of washing hands, especially before eating."