A couple from Surat, Gujarat, is fast gaining popularity as the ‘pad couple’, following the release of Akshay Kumar-starrer Padman, based on the real-life story of Arunachalam Muruganantham.
The ‘pad couple’ have been distributing about 5,000 sanitary napkins every month over the last five years to women and girls who cannot afford them. The couple has been donating pads every month without any publicity and help.
From where will a young girl source pads? So we have taken the initiative to distribute pads as and when they start their periods. We give it to them on a regular basis until the age of 18.Meena Mehta, Surat’s ‘Padwoman’
The couple drew attention as the ‘Pad couple of Surat’ after the release of Padman — a film addressing menstrual hygiene.
The movie is a must-watch for women who do not know about the importance of pads, said Meena Mehta to ANI. They have been trying to spread awareness on menstrual hygiene for the last couple of years and are happy that a film has finally been released to bring the issue to light. They expect the movie to have a favourable impact on women across the country.
The couple was inspired by the Chairman of Infosys Foundation, Sudha Murthy distributing sanitary napkins to Tsunami survivors. They also explained where the idea of distributing pads came from:
I saw two girls collecting sanitary napkins from a dustbin. They said that they collect them every month, wash and then use those pads. They said they cannot afford to buy new pads every month. This touched my heart and inspired me (to do my work).Meena Mehta, Surat’s ‘Padwoman’
Many women who the Mehtas distributed the pads to were not aware of the concept of sanitary napkins.
When she first came to us, we were embarrassed. She explained the usage of pads and told us what menstruation was. Nobody told us about pads or their utility before.Priya Dubey
(With inputs from ANI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)