A special assembly to sensitize and promote the usage of Datun or Neem twig and its linkage with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was organized for Pre-Primary section of Seth Anandram Jaipuria School (SAJS) Lucknow on Sep 22, 2023. The objective was to raise awareness about the benefits of using Datun compared to a usage of toothbrushes made of plastics.

The assembly began with an introduction of the neem tree and its cultural significance in terms of Datun being used as a natural toothbrush for promoting oral health. A visually appealing presentation was shared with the students, and they were encouraged to ask questions. The presentation emphasized Datun’s health and environmental benefits, comparing datun with toothbrushes in aspects such as eco-friendly, natural qualities, and cost-effective. A live demonstration on the usage of datun was organized to make the assembly more interactive and impactful.

The students were also informed about SDGs and to ensure their active participation questions related to SDG icons related to the captioned theme. Further through a slide information was shared with students related to the usage of datun promoting SDG 3 – good health and well-being; SDG 12 – responsible consumption and SDG 15 – environmental sustainability as datun is biodegradable.

The students participated enthusiastically and enjoyed the information shared and the demonstration. The assembly was an initiative towards making learning joyful apart from giving an opportunity to learn about our culture and the importance of responsible behaviour thus contributing their share to the achievement of global SDGs.

The expected long-term outcomes of the special assembly are (a) increased awareness of students about the benefits of using datun, the importance of natural remedies, (b) behaviour change with students being more inclined towards usage of datun and promoting its usage with family members and peers.