“Following the floods that affected Dera Baba Nanak Sub-Division, several government schools suffered damage to essential infrastructure, particularly Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) facilities, resulting in disruption to the education of school-going children. The restored sanitation infrastructure has helped ensure a safe, hygienic, and dignified learning environment for students, especially for girl students.” Dr Aaditya Sharma, IAS, SDM Dera Baba Nanak
“Bridgestone is committed towards Serving Society with Superior Quality. This inspires us to offer the best to the communities that we serve. Education is a critical pillar for communities, and this was most impacted by the floods. We have, in our humble way, contributed towards restoring some of the educational facilities in the Dera Baba Nanak block thus safeguarding learning and well-being when vulnerable communities needed it the most.” Sudhir Kulkarni, Executive Director HR, Admin. & CSR, Bridgestone India
“In post-disaster settings like Dera Baba Nanak, children are among the most vulnerable. Restoring safe and functional WASH facilities in schools is not just about infrastructure, it is about protecting children’s health, dignity, and right to learn. When sanitation and hygiene are compromised, the risks of illness increase and school dropouts become more likely, especially for girls. Through the School WASH project, we are ensuring that schools become safe, hygienic spaces again, enabling children to return, stay, and thrive in their education.” Imran Majid, Programmes Director, ADRA India
Following the catastrophic floods that swept through Punjab in August 2025, Bridgestone and ADRA India have rehabilitated 20 government schools in Gurdaspur. Floodwaters had severely damaged school infrastructure, particularly sanitation facilities, while thousands of children lost textbooks, stationery, and uniforms, delaying their return to classrooms.
Under the three-month project implemented between October 2025 and January 2026, ADRA India worked in close coordination with the District Disaster Management Authority, local administration, School Management Committees, and community representatives to identify the most affected government schools. In Gurdaspur alone, over 324 villages were submerged, disrupting essential services and forcing prolonged school closures.
“Following the floods that affected Dera Baba Nanak Sub-Division, several government schools suffered damage to essential infrastructure, particularly Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) facilities, resulting in disruption to the education of school-going children. The restored sanitation infrastructure has helped ensure a safe, hygienic, and dignified learning environment for students, especially for girl students,” said Dr Aaditya Sharma, IAS, SDM Dera Baba Nanak.
“Bridgestone is committed towards Serving Society with Superior Quality. This inspires us to offer the best to the communities that we serve. Education is a critical pillar for communities, and this was most impacted by the floods. We have, in our humble way, contributed towards restoring some of the educational facilities in the Dera Baba Nanak block thus safeguarding learning and well-being when vulnerable communities needed it the most,” said Sudhir Kulkarni, Executive Director HR, Admin. & CSR, Bridgestone India.
The intervention led to the repair and rehabilitation of damaged toilets and Water Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) facilities in 12 government schools, directly benefiting around 697 children by restoring access to safe and functional sanitation facilities.
Additionally, education kits were distributed to 585 of the most marginalized children, prioritizing those from families of daily wage earners, migrant households, women-headed families, and socially excluded communities. The kits helped replace learning materials lost during the floods, enabling children to resume schooling without placing additional financial pressure on already distressed families.
“In post-disaster settings like Dera Baba Nanak, children are among the most vulnerable. Restoring safe and functional WASH facilities in schools is not just about infrastructure, it is about protecting children’s health, dignity, and right to learn. When sanitation and hygiene are compromised, the risks of illness increase and school dropouts become more likely, especially for girls. Through the School WASH project, we are ensuring that schools become safe, hygienic spaces again, enabling children to return, stay, and thrive in their education,” said Imran Majid, Programmes Director, ADRA India.
The project emphasized sustainability and community ownership. School Management Committees were engaged throughout the process and oriented on basic maintenance of sanitation facilities to ensure continued use beyond the project period. Repair works incorporated durability measures to better withstand future flooding, strengthening the resilience of school infrastructure in vulnerable areas.
This project reflects the “Empowerment”, “Ease”, “Emotion” values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment*, which outline Bridgestone’s corporate commitment to contributing to a society that ensures accessibility and dignity for all (Empowerment), to bringing comfort and peace of mind to mobility life (Ease), inspiring excitement and spreading joy to the world of mobility (Emotion). Through initiatives like these, Bridgestone continues to advance its mission of “Serving Society with Superior Quality” by driving positive change and building safer, more inclusive communities across India.
