Top News
PadManChallenge a marketing gimmick or taboo breaker? Comments below…
New Delhi : The “Pad Man” promotions have seen at least over a 30 film celebrities posing with an open sanitary napkin as part of the #PadManChallenge to convey there’s nothing to be “ashamed” about something as “natural” as menstruation. But is it actually helping in breaking taboos surrounding the subject, or is it just another marketing gimmick?
It’s Valentine’s Day week, but more than the Rose Day, Chocolate Day and the likes, it’s the #PadManChallenge that has taken social media by storm. The challenge comes close on the heels of the release of “Pad Man”, which will hit the screens on Friday.
Among the initial challengers was Akshay’s wife and author Twinkle Khanna, who is set to debut as a producer with “Pad Man”.
Holding a sanitary napkin high with her hands in a photo, she tweeted: “Yes, that’s a pad in my hand and there’s nothing to be ashamed about. It’s natural! Period. #PadManChallenge. Copy, paste this and challenge your friends to take a photo with a pad! Here I am challenging Aamir Khan, Shabana Azmi, Harsh Goenka.”
They obliged.
Soon, the digital platforms were flooded with photographs featuring Bollywood celebrities like Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone, Karan Johar, Katrina Kaif, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Riteish Deshmukh, Mahesh Bhatt, Ali Abbas Zafar, Purab Kohli, Neil Bhoopalam, Homi Adajania, Bhumi Pednekar, Vaani Kapoor, Atul Kasbekar, Amit Trivedi, Diana Penty, Huma Qureshi, Aditi Rao Hydari, Swara Bhasker, Dia Mirza, Ayushmann Khurrana, Arjun Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Sophie Choudry, Sonam Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Anil Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao and Radhika Apte holding open pads in hands.
It’s not just the B-Town that is going gaga over the challenge. Sports personalities like Ravi Shastri and PV Sindhu were also game for it, with many more netizens joining in.
An empowering move?
Comedienne Supriya Joshi doesn’t think so.
“Hi guys, something amazing happened this morning. I got my period. As many of you know, I have PCOS, so to get your period is such an amazing feeling. I immediately ran to my sanitary napkin stash, but found I had run out of them.
She quipped via a social media post: “Instead, I saw my mom, dad, grandmother and my building’s secretary posing with them and taking pictures. I asked them what they are doing with my pads, and they said, ‘Shut up silly girl, we’re taking part in a movement that will change the course of history. We’re going to make periods a taboo a thing of the past! The Padman Challenge will empower women! Don’t forget to use the hashtag otherwise you’re not empowering anybody.
“I felt so empowered and inspired and I wanted to do the challenge too, but at this time everyone had thrown away the opened pads and I continued to bleed through my clothing.”
She took her own challenge by posting an image in which she holds up a notepad that reads: “Don’t waste sanitary napkins on stupid marketing gimmicks.”
“Trust me guys it’s the best feeling to not have access to pads when you’re bleeding and the Pad Man challenge is all that is needed to destigmatise a woman’s period. Kudos to champion of all causes Akshay Kumar and his amazing marketing team for championing this cause.”
Her sarcasm didn’t end there as she concluded her message with: “Pads are just selfie accessories any way!”
Comedienne Mallika Dua also poked fun at the #PadManChallenge.
In a series of Instagram stories, she wrote: “Always remember. Each time you feel weak, each time you feel lesser than your equals, each time you feel you’ve been made to feel lesser for no reason and that the fight has just about begun, when you feel society and the government have not given you your due, hold up a sanitary pad and post a picture of it on Instagram. You will feel empowered. So empowered. Bye.”
One Twitter user wrote: “Sonam Kapoor is against her own film’s marketing gimmick. Hahahaa. PadManChallenge.”
The user shared a tweet that was liked by Sonam. It read: “Cute how Bollywood celebrities start doing stupid trends like #PadManChallenge but automatically lose their spine when asked to take stand on ‘Padmaavat or when Swara was being slut shamed. Such hypocrites!”
A Facebook user tired of the challenge, suggested: “If you really want to do something, buy a packet of pads and give it to someone who can not afford it. That will be the real #padmanchallenge.”
Akshay has maintained that the film has sparked discussions about the subject, and “there will be a day when it will change”.
Miss World Organisation CEO Julia Morley is here as part of a world tour led by Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar to spread awareness on the importance of menstrual hygiene.
Morley told IANS talks must be backed by action.
“We should know that it’s no use when we can do a lot of talking and we don’t have the action. That’s what scares me. One has to put your money where your mouth is, and make sure it continues… But it’s no use having a big show of words and no actions,” she said.
“Pad Man” tells the story of a real-life superhero who invented a low-cost sanitary pad manufacturing machine to bring a menstrual hygiene revolution for women.
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
