Driving Transformative Dialogues on Inclusion, Consent, Protection, Awareness, and Equity in Goa
Goa, 27 February 2025: Durex’s The Birds and Bees Talk (TBBT), the flagship growing up life skills program by Reckitt, a global leader in health and hygiene, has partnered with Goa Book Fair & Children’s Literature Festival 2025 as its official Health Partner. Now in its third year, the festival is a celebration of literature, creativity, and learning, bringing together authors, educators, book lovers and young minds from across India. Set to take place from February 27 to March 3, 2025, this year’s event is expected to be the biggest yet, with over 30,000 visitors anticipated.
As part of this collaboration, Durex TBBT, implemented by Plan India and Worship Goa, will create an immersive festival experience featuring interactive workshops, live performances, storytelling, and engaging activities designed to spark meaningful conversations on growing up life skills, health, and well-being. Adding to the excitement, Padma Shri Awardee and legendary musician Remo Fernandes, alongside children, will inaugurate the festival and unveil the Durex TBBT Experience Zone, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to education, creativity, and youth empowerment.
Ravi Bhatnagar, Director, External Affairs & Partnerships, Reckitt – South Asia, “Education and awareness are key drivers of social transformation, and at Reckitt, we are committed to integrating growing up life skills learning into everyday conversations. Our partnership with the Goa Book Fair & Children’s Literature Festival and the Viva Goa Carnival Parade marks a significant step in embedding life skills education into mainstream cultural discourse. By engaging young minds through immersive experiences, we are not just imparting knowledge – we are fostering a mindset shift towards inclusion, consent, and overall well-being. This initiative empowers future generations with the confidence to build a more equitable society, and we are dedicated to driving this change at scale.”
Expanding its engagement beyond the literature festival, Durex TBBT will also participate in the iconic Viva Goa Carnival Parade in Margao, embedding its core message of awareness, inclusion, consent, equity and protection into the heart of Goa’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Mohammed Asif, Executive Director, Plan India, said, “At Plan India, we’re dedicated to weaving essential life skills into everyday dialogue. Our collaboration with the Goa Book Fair & Children’s Literature Festival and the Viva Goa Carnival Parade is a significant step towards mainstreaming this education. By empowering youth to navigate diverse social settings confidently, the Durex TBBT programme equips them to make informed decisions about their health, well-being, and safety, laying the groundwork for a fairer future.”
Divya Sharma, Director – Worship Design Goa, said, “We are proud to introduce ‘Durex The Birds and Bees Talk’ in Goa, a state known for its vibrant culture and rapid development. As adolescents navigate the complexities of multicultural social interactions while shaping their identities, it is crucial to equip them with the right knowledge and skills. The Durex TBBT programme is designed to empower young people with the confidence to make informed decisions about their health, well-being, and safety”
Transforming the Festival Experience with Durex TBBT:
Visitors can immerse themselves in the Durex TBBT Experience Zone, featuring:
Life-sized book cover photobooths, designed to align with the festival’s literary theme, offering visitors a unique and interactive keepsake
Engaging 3D character cutouts with QR codes, linking to Dr. Rexpert, Durex TBBT’s AI- powered WhatsApp chatbot, providing informative and interactive life skills education
Interactive kits and materials for students and parents, offering engaging ways to explore essential topics
Live musical performances, including a special act by Joanna Fernandes, adding a rhythmic touch to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere
Beloved TBBT mascots, Bubble & Joy, interacting with children and parents through engaging activities and fun giveaways
Workshops to Inspire and Educate
A key highlight of Durex TBBT’s presence will be expert-led workshops, designed to engage young minds in meaningful discussions on life skills, respect, and well-being. These sessions include:
Kindness and Respect: A Percussion Workshop by Martin du Bois – Acclaimed multi- instrumentalist and music educator Martin du Bois will use rhythm and melody to teach mindfulness, creativity, and mutual respect among children and parents.
Consent and Interpersonal Communication: A Safe Peer Circle Workshop by Ginni – Life skills educator Ginni from Paradise School, Goa, will lead an interactive session incorporating play, movement, and storytelling to help children and parents understand the importance of consent and respectful communication.
Mental Health and Emotional Development Through Gamification by Natasha Nayar – A neuroscience-based session by social and emotional learning practitioner Natasha Nayar, using gamified storytelling to foster emotional well-being.
A Chat About Menstruation by Durex TBBT – A guided discussion aimed at breaking societal taboos around menstrual health and hygiene, encouraging open conversations.
Implemented by Plan India, Durex TBBT leverages both ofline and digital platforms to deliver culturally relevant growing up life skills education. With a reach of over 4 million young people across 10 states, it stands as a testament to how traditional knowledge and modern values can come together to inspire progressive learning.
As the Goa Book Fair & Children’s Literature Festival 2025 prepares to captivate audiences, Durex TBBT stands at the forefront, seamlessly blending education, culture, and transformation to build a more inclusive, informed, and empowered future for the youth.
