Palanpur, Gujarat | September 20, 2026
The ‘Free Sanitary Pad Parab’, an innovative menstrual hygiene initiative led by Gujarat’s “Padman” Nayan Chatrariya, has received a special entry in the India Book of Records.
Chatrariya was presented with a Gold Medal and official Certificate of Recognition following the recognition of his community-based menstrual hygiene initiative.
Launched in 2025, the Free Sanitary Pad Parab was created to address a practical problem faced by girls and women — the sudden need for a sanitary pad when one is not readily available.
Drawing inspiration from Gujarat’s traditional ‘Parab’ culture of providing drinking water to people in need, Chatrariya developed a similar community-access model for sanitary pads.
The initiative forms part of his wider menstrual hygiene awareness mission, which he has been pursuing since 2022.
According to campaign figures, his work has reached 521+ villages, educated more than one lakh adolescent girls and distributed over five lakh sanitary pads free of cost.
His programmes focus on scientific information about menstruation, hygiene, sanitary pad usage, safe disposal, nutrition and breaking myths and taboos.
A special focus is also given to adolescent girls experiencing menstruation for the first time, helping them understand the process through accurate and practical information.
The special India Book of Records entry gives national visibility to a community initiative originating from Palanpur and highlights the importance of combining menstrual hygiene education with immediate access to sanitary products.
