In India, Bollywood is a medium that has kept the masses deeply connected with some of its path-breaking movies, made with a dedicated intention of sending a message to the viewers on the wrongs that are perpetrated and tolerated in society and how as individuals one can take the plunge to change the trend for a better tomorrow.
Not long ago we had the privilege of viewing the Hindi movie ‘Pink’ which had left a lasting impression on the minds of the people on the difference between consensual sex and forced intrusion on the privacy of a woman, with a clear cut message that a woman’s ‘no’ should be respected as ‘no’. An awakening has come in women of all age groups never to be subjugated or intimidated and to thwart any untoward act intending to outrage their modesty and to report the same for action under the law.
Thereafter ‘Toilet ek prem katha’ was another movie that highlighted the importance of building toilets for all households and to do away with the loathsome open defecation system that has been prevailing in our country, without any feeling of guilt or shame, since the beginning of time. Since the launching of ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ over the country a couple of years ago we must admit that some thought has been evolving on the issue of maintaining cleanliness around. We read in the newspapers that some -married ladies have compelled their husbands to construct toilets as a precondition to joining them. There are other incidents wherein a woman has sold her mangalasutra and another lady taking recourse to begging and collecting money in a bid to build a toilet. Even in Goa, supposed to be more literate than the rest of the country, we hear that government has proposed to construct some 70,000 toilets, giving a clear view that defecating openly is still prevalent.
A couple of days ago I had the pleasure of seeing the movie ‘Pad man’ and I must admit that a significant message on the usage of sanitary napkins has been overtly conveyed and at the same time the health hazard that women are subjected to using the conventional age-old techniques is elaborated. How the women during the menstrual cycle, which is a natural phenomenon, are still treated as untouchables and kept aloof in some communities is nicely stressed.
As shown in the movie it is not simple in our country to input any new trend for it will certainly be negated with people bridled in regressive ideas. It was pleasing to note that in Goa a new scheme to install sanitary pad dispensing machine would be installed shortly in the industrial estates to cater to the needs of working women. It is felt that like other schemes implemented in schools, efforts should be initiated to provide sanitary napkins on monthly basis to the school girls. Taking care of health and hygiene should be the primary responsibility of the State.
