The path to UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a long and arduous one. But India is moving ahead with indomitable resolve and perseverance to realize the 17 SDGs laid down by the global multilateral institution. In 2015, the UN General Assembly came up with them to make this world better, sustainable and prosperous. Also known as Global Goals, they call for action to end poverty and hunger, and facilitate justice, peace, and social and economic equality, among others, by 2030.
In the Sustainable Development Report 2022, which covers 163 nations, India stands at 121 rank, with an SDG Index score of 60.3. As the world’s second most populous country, there are several challenges that pose obstacles on the country’s path to achieve SDGs. To traverse this onerous journey, India needs trustworthy and reliable companions. One of them is Reckitt India – a name synonymous with hygiene and nutrition, Reckitt has made a seminal contribution to the economy in the last few years, thereby influencing the progress towards SDGs.
Contribution To GDP
A report by Oxford Economics estimates that Reckitt supported a contribution of Rs 78.8 billion to India’s GDP in 2021. It notes: “This is the sum of three channels of impact. Some Rs 31.6 billion was generated by Reckitt itself – its direct impact. Reckitt’s sizeable procurement spending with suppliers in India stimulated a further Rs 33.7 billion contribution to GDP – its indirect impact. Finally, the payment of wages by Reckitt and the firms in its supply chain supported a Rs 13.5 billion contribution to GDP – its induced impact.” In 2021, India’s GDP jumped $506 billion and stood at over $3 trillion dollars to record a growth rate of nine per cent.
Job Creation
The company created more than 69,000 jobs in 2021. While it directly employed 3,367 people, another 39,110 jobs were supported along its supply chain. According to the Oxford Economics, the wage-induced spending of its employees, and those employed in its supply chain, sustained a further 27,090 jobs. For every 100 jobs created by Reckitt, 2,000 other jobs were supported elsewhere. Reckitt’s workers are paid around nine times the average salary in India. These contribute to SDG 8, which deals with decent work and economic growth.
Health And Well-Being
Health and well-being for all are central to development. SDG 3 lays down this importance. Reckitt engages in research in insect/vector-borne disease transmission. It has three R&D facilities in Gurugram, Baddi, and Mysore. The one in Gurugram employs over 170 scientists, and houses the Entomology Centre of Excellence. The objective is to control the spread of vector-borne diseases in India.
When 6,500 children were saved from malnutrition through its initiative, The Reach Each Child Programme, the company made progress on SDG 3 on health and SDG 2, which deals with zero hunger. The Global Hunger Index 2022 ranks India 107 out of 121 countries, which underlines the severity of the issue of hunger. Child malnutrition, wasting, anemia, low birth weight, lower levels of breast-feeding, and childhood obesity remain key challenges. In this light, the campaign which prioritises nutrition and supports mothers and babies in the first 1,000 days of a newborn’s life assumes significance.
Sanitation And Hygiene
Almost 230 million people in India lack access to proper sanitation, making them vulnerable to diseases. Reckitt made crucial interventions in this area. The Dettol Banega Swasth India Purpose Programmes reached 116 million people, whereas 20 million children were educated through the Dettol School Hygiene Programme. Over 15,800 sanitation workers were trained through the Harpic World Toilet College Programme in partnership with Gramalaya, an NGO dedicated to promote water, sanitation and hygiene, and eradicate scavenging.
Gender Equality
Gender parity remains a thorn in a country that boasts of 660 million female population. Earlier this year, Global Gender Gap Index 2022 placed India at 135 out of 146 countries. Reckitt looks at improving this. It has consciously created jobs for women. It employs and supports 16,450 females across direct, indirect and induced channels. The Oxford Economics report states: “Over half (51%) of women employed by Reckitt earned more than Rs 2 million in 2021, more than double the 21% share of men earning over Rs 2 million.”
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#DettolSalutes
Covid was challenging for India. The country reported 43,710,027 infections and 525,604 deaths. The crisis dealt a severe blow to the economy, and resulted in job losses, lost incomes, and shuttered businesses. Corporate players like Reckitt stepped in to address the situation. In the first wave, it collaborated with state governments, civil society, industry bodies, global agencies, and media to distribute eight million soaps, 2.9 million masks, and 18,000 PPE kits. During the second deadly wave, the company gave oxygen support, masks, soaps and ICU equipment. In Gurugram, it set up oxygen-generation plant, and procured cylinders for the Uttarakhand government.
Reckitt communicated, as it has in the past, the importance of handwashing. During Covid, it took on the challenge to induce behaviour change. Dettol launched The Hand Wash Challenge campaign on TikTok, which had 20 billion views within a week. It decided to pay tribute to Covid warriors, who worked tirelessly to save lives. A campaign, #DettolSalutes, replaced the corporate logo on company’s products with an image of a ‘Covid protector’, along with her story. Around 100 people graced Dettol’s liquid handwash packs. A platform, www.DettolSalutes.com, was created to share stories, and acknowledge Covid protectors on social media channels. The website was visited by 250k users, and 180k of them created their customised virtual packs. This innovative campaign inspired people, and filled them with hope and positivity.
Shailaja Tripathi Senior Journalist
