After saying a big NO to Padmavat, Rajasthan has accorded a warm welcome to Padman, a film starring Akshay Kumar, which focusses on women’s menstrual hygiene.
So impressed is Rajasthan government with the movie that it has decided to distribute free sanitary napkins to females. Also the film has been declared as tax-free in Rajasthan.
Recently, announcing the Budget 2018 for the state, the chief minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje Scindia announced the distribution of free sanitary napkins for females under the age group of 15-45 years through schools, colleges, anganwadis, sub-health centres and Annapurna Bhandars.
The announcement definitely comes as an inspiration taken from the much-hyped movie. The endeavour of the state government aims at promoting menstrual hygiene, under which sanitary pads will be provided to girls and women in rural areas of Rajasthan.
Funds worth Rs 76 crore have been sanctioned for the scheme.
Raje also announced the launch of Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (MHS) in the state while delivering her Budget speech on February 13, 2017. Recently she said, “Padman gives a message of maintaining health and hygiene among women. It stands for a social cause and hence has been declared tax-free.”
According to the CM, girls and women from 15 years to 45 years will be reaping the benefits of the scheme. She said an allocation of Rs 76 crore has been proposed for the scheme.
In fact, in 2017, Delhi Government also announced to distribute sanitary napkins to schoolgirls. Even Bhopal Railway station installed Sanitary Napkin Vending machine to ensure ease for girls and women to access pads.
With so much awareness spreading around, there seems to be a new awakening beginning in India where girls have more to think on hygiene.