JICA India promotes hand washing with soap with Hello Kitty

New Delhi (India) : As part of the ‘Achhi Aadat (Good Habit) Campaign,’ JICA India and its implementation partner, IJ Kakehashi Services Pvt. Ltd., hosted a two-day event in Delhi to promote handwashing with soap featuring the well-known Japanese character Hello Kitty.

Hello Kitty, a creation of Sanrio Company Ltd., has become an international icon thanks to her endearing personality and cute appearance. Hello Kitty has recently shifted her attention to using her YouTube channel to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (HELLO KITTY CHANNEL). Hello Kitty’s efforts have been recognised by the United Nations (UN), and since September 2019 Hello Kitty has been working with the UN to spread SDG engagement through her informative and entertaining videos.

In order to spread information about the importance of personal hygiene habits like handwashing and nail care, JICA India launched the Achhi Aadat Campaign in January 2021, and Hello Kitty and Sanrio are proud to be partners in this effort. Hello Kitty has been interacting with kids online during ‘Achhi Aadat sessions’ since 2021 to promote the value of regular handwashing with soap. Hello Kitty and Ms. TSUJI Yuko, Managing Executive Officer, Global Sustainability Department Director of Sanrio, are currently in India for the first time, where they will take part in Achhi Aadat sessions and other campaign events.

In the morning of Wednesday November 9, Hello Kitty appeared in front of around 900 primary school students at The Mother’s International School, Delhi. The students were surprised to see the special guest and welcomed her with great enthusiasm. Hello Kitty demonstrated the eight steps of handwashing while dancing to the music of her video “Let’s Wash Our Hands with HELLO KITTY!!” She held another handwashing session in Central Park in Connaught Place in the afternoon, to bring smiles to the faces of 30 students from St. James Convent School run by the NGO Asha Deep Foundation. Hello Kitty then boarded the Delhi Metro from Rajiv Chowk Station to Patel Chowk Station and experienced riding on a female-only coach. At the Patel Chowk Station, she was greeted by Mr. Vikas Kumar, Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative of JICA India, and 15 students of Sarthak Prayas, an NGO-run school, who learned the eight steps of handwashing with Hello Kitty. On Thursday November 10, she visited the iconic India Gate where she observed two out of the 1000 auto rickshaws specially wrapped with the Achhi Aadat Campaign message on their hood.

On 30th January 2023, Sanrio has launched a video introducing India and the Achhi Aadat Campaign. Click on the link below to view the video!!

Video Link: “Kitty made a surprise appearance at a handwashing event in India!” Kitty made a surprise appearance at a handwashing event in India! [Hello Kitty] https://youtu.be/371lSMThC9w

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India said, “Dear Hello Kitty, thank you so much for coming all the way to India!! How was dancing in the Connaught Place, visiting India Gate by rickshaw? Good boys and girls you played together will never forget how to wash their hands and live healthy lives. Please come visit India again to enjoy delicious Indian sweets and desserts! Safe journey!”

In 2021, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) launched the Achhi Aadat Campaign to spread various hygienic practices among the population in India. Amid COVID 19 situation, the campaign encouraged consistent and appropriate handwashing techniques, nail cleaning, and other hygiene practices.

In continuation, in 2022, JICA in partnership with its project implementing partner IJ Kakehashi Services Private Limited, collaborates with the Government of NCT of Delhi, and private Japanese companies, NGOs, and has flagged off the wonderful voyage to create awareness among the people of India.

Established, by a specific law, as an incorporated administrative, as the sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA implementation. JICA is the world’s largest bilateral donor agency. JICA works as a bridge between Japan and emerging countries like India and provides assistance in the form of loans, grants, and technical cooperation so that emerging countries can strengthen their capabilities.