Rupali Ganguly applauds PM Narendra Modi for addressing menstrual hygiene: 'He is probably the world's first leader who talked about this...'

Rupali Ganguly praises PM Modi

Actress Rupali Ganguly has commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing menstrual hygiene on national platforms, a move she believes has helped dismantle deeply entrenched taboos around the issue in India.

The Anupamaa star emphasised the vital need for access to reasonably priced sanitary products and menstrual education, particularly in rural areas where these topics are frequently taboo.

She commended the Prime Minister for starting important discussions and his attempts to draw attention to women's health from important platforms, such as his historic Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, in which he discussed menstrual hygiene—something that few world leaders have done.

Rupali noted that initiatives such as the distribution of low-cost sanitary pads and hygiene education have made a tangible difference in the lives of young girls, many of whom are forced to abandon their education due to the lack of menstrual awareness and access to basic facilities.

While talking to IANS, she mentioned, "feel very proud, because sanitary hygiene, for me as a woman, is not a taboo topic. Modi ji is probably the first leader—world leader—who talked about menstrual hygiene from the Red Fort. And sanitary pads—affordable sanitary pads—reaching every woman, that was a matter of great pride for me. As a woman, I felt proud. There are so many girls who drop out of school because they don't have knowledge about menstrual hygiene. So many girls drop out—some are ashamed, some don't know how to use cloth properly."

Praising a holistic approach to women's empowerment, Rupali also pointed to government schemes like the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, which promotes financial security for the girl child, and Ujjwala Yojana, which has replaced hazardous cooking methods with clean LPG connections in rural homes. “It wasn’t just about giving them a gas cylinder—it was about giving them a chance at better health,” she said.

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She also praised programs that support women-led innovation and enterprise, such as the Smart Didi Yojana and the Drone Didi Yojana. The actress referred to the Women's Reservation Bill's passage as a long-overdue but historic victory for Indian women seeking political representation, and she reaffirmed the importance of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign.

Rupali also praised the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, emphasising how the building of restrooms has improved the hygiene and self-respect of innumerable women throughout the country.