‘About 5 Crore Women Have Got Sanitary Pads At Rs. 1’, Says PM Modi In His Independence Day Speech, Twitterati Praise

New Delhi: On the occasion of India’s 74th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the national flag and addressed the nation from the Red Fort. In his one-hour 26-minute long Independence Day speech, PM Modi touched upon numerous themes including women empowerment, healthcare, COVID-19 vaccine, among others. Talking about his government’s efforts for women empowerment and providing better healthcare to women, PM Modi mentioned providing sanitary pads to poor women at a low cost through Janaushadhi Kendras. Sharing the achievement of his government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said,

This government has also been persistently concerned about the better healthcare for poor sisters and daughters. We have done a huge job to providing sanitary pads at one rupee each in Janaushadhi Kendra. In a short span of time, more than 5 crore sanitary pads have been delivered to these poor women from 6,000 Janaushadhi Kendras.

Also Read: Government Slashes Price Of Sanitary Pads Sold At Jan Aushadhi Stores To Rs. 1 From Rs. 2.50 Per Pad

The mention of sanitary pads in PM Modi’s Independence Day speech took many by surprise as menstrual hygiene is one of the topics which are often brushed under the carpets. However, PM Modi openly spoke about it and how his government is providing sanitary pads at a low-cost, ensuring access to all. Soon the social media was flooded with praises for PM. While some called it a progressive and path-breaking move, others titled it as ‘breaking taboo’.

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar who initiated the conversation around menstrual hygiene through his film PadMan praised PM and called it true progress. Akshay Kumar took it to Twitter and wrote, “Our @PMOIndia talking about sanitary pads in his Independence Day speech today is true progress…made menstruation a mainstream topic. Also kudos to the government who has so far distributed sanitary pads to about 5 crore women at Re. 1”

Also Read: PadMan Akshay Kumar Sets Up Sanitary Pad Vending Machine In Mumbai, Hopes To Install More Across The Country

A twitter user mentioned about how in 2014 PM Modi introduced Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and changed the picture of cleanliness in the country. Today, he spoke about sanitary napkins and shunned the taboo associated with it. She wrote, “He spoke about Swacchta & open defaecation in 2014 and changed the way India thought of cleanliness. Today he broke another taboo by speaking about the importance of sanitary napkins. PM @narendramodi Ji is a man who has got the basics right.”

Another user lauded the move and said that PM Modi talking about sanitary napkins will lead to the citizens breaking the walls of conservativism. He wrote, “Breaking all the traditional taboo Respected Modi Ji has spoken about the need & relevance of sanitary Napkins from the Red Fort. When a PM start touching such topics that has been taboo for our society, it means country’s Polity is going to break all the walls of conservativism.”

‘This isn’t just progressive but path breaking too’, said another user and wrote, “Earlier I couldn’t imagine a male forget a male leader speak about menstruation publically. Here, we have the PM of India @narendramodi no less, speaking about providing sanitary pads at 1 rupee from the ramparts of the red fort!”

Another user highlighted the stigma associated with menstruation and how even the words ‘sanitary pads’ are used in hushed tones. However, today, PM Modi talked about it during his address to the nation.

Also Read: Vending Machine Made From Ice Cream Cardboard Box, This Kolkata Boy Provides Women Sanitary Napkins At Just ₹ 2

Here Are Some More Tweets Praising PM Modi

Also Read: #PadManChallenge: Miss World Manushi Chillar Says, ‘Good Hygiene Practices Helped Me Stay Healthy, Every Girl Deserves The Same Opportunity’

Also Read: #AbSamjhautaNahin: PadMan Actors Akshay Kumar And Sonam Kapoor Come Forward To Provide Sanitary Napkins To Underprivileged Women

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.