No one would exist if there was no menstruation: Twinkle Khanna
Education of boys about menstruation and open discussion on the phenomenon would go a long way to bring awareness on the issue, Twinkle Khanna feels.
The writer and film artist has joined forces with ‘Save the Children’ an organisation that is working towards spreading awareness on hygiene, health and education. She spoke on the necessity to not only do good for society but give something back. “If we do not give back what we have got from society we would be worse than animals that just keep roaming around,” she felt. Recalling how she began writing the story of Padman, she said, “I too was slightly hesitant and had a taboo even discussing about it. But ever since I read Arunachalm Murugunatham’s story I decided to bring it up on celluloid.” The Akshay Kumar-starrer which has been billed as the most happening film has indeed enabled women discuss their menstrual problems openly.
“It is really a shame that for this biological problem a little girl from Chennai jumped off her balcony and gave up her life because she was reprimanded by her teacher after she stained her uniform,” she rued.
Twinkle asserted that pads needed to be sold at a lower cost, “The Government has also made sanitary pads available at the railway stations…so the film has brought about a few changes in our society,” she said, adding that following her association with the organisation, she would like to amplify the voice of these children. “If my voice can reach a little farther through Save the Children and bring changes, it would be great,” she said.
Referring to the taboo surrounding menstruation she said, “We need to raise awareness about this natural phenomenon that every woman experiences.” Heaping praise on the children from STC, Twinkle remarked, “I find the children have remarkable energy, confidence and determination and are not filled with the cynicism that we adults have. Thus if their mindset is changed at this adolescent age, they will bring about changes for a better world.”
On the subject of films on social causes, Twinkle says, “There are many movies which are made with different social messages and I am sure cinema is a medium which brings about great changes. Also today’s audiences are open to such movies and they are looking forward to changes in the society for betterment. We need to make more films with social messages. Industry has that great attitude and is promoting more such causes through films.”
Rubbishing the contention that the menstrual phenomenon is unclean or devoid of sanctity, Twinkle reminds us, “None of you would exist if that wasn’t existing in our body.”
