Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has taken such a historic step in the direction of women’s health, dignity and empowerment that has changed lakhs of lives. The ‘Navi Disha’ scheme has today become the identity of self-respect of every daughter and woman of Punjab. This scheme clearly shows that the Mann Government doesn’t just make promises, but works at the ground level. The government’s clear belief is that health for women is not an option, but the first necessity!
The objective of the ‘Navi Disha’ scheme is to give women the opportunity to live life with empowerment and respect-honor. The government understands that menstruation is a natural change, but due to lack of cleanliness, women and adolescent girls used to become victims of many serious diseases. Through this women-oriented scheme, even today, 9 free sanitary pads are being given every month to needy women and girls from 27,313 Anganwadi centers in 23 districts of the state.
This scheme is actively running across Punjab, in which approximately 13 lakh 65 thousand (13,65,650) beneficiary women and adolescent girls are connected every month. These pads are being delivered door-to-door by 27,313 Anganwadi workers working day and night, which has ensured that no needy woman remains deprived of this facility.
The Mann Government’s ‘Navi Disha’ scheme has changed the lives of lakhs of women in villages and cities. Especially village women are very happy with this scheme and are thanking the Mann Government from their hearts. Village resident Gurpreet Kaur says, “Earlier there was no money, we used old clothes, used to fall sick. Now because of Mann Sahab, pads come home every month, no shame no hesitation! Anganwadi Didi comes home-to-home and provides this facility and takes complete care of us.” This voice is not just Gurpreet’s, but of lakhs of women of Punjab, who are saying today that the Mann Government has made their lives easier.
This is not just a government scheme, but a campaign connected to lakhs of lives. Till now, a total of more than 3 crore 68 lakh 72 thousand 550 (3,68,72,550) pads have reached the women of Punjab. Distribution of so many pads means fear of illness eliminated in lakhs of families! The government has spent ₹14 crore 4 lakh (₹14.04 crore) rupees on this noble work so far, and every rupee has been spent directly on women’s health and confidence. This investment shows the government’s firm intention.
The biggest specialty of these sanitary pads is that they are 100% biodegradable. These pads are made from completely naturally decomposable fabric, which dissolves in the soil by itself. This way, neither is there any harm to the environment, nor do women have fear of chemicals. This initiative proves that the government is not only conscious about health, but also gives priority to environmental protection.
‘Navi Disha’ has run a new wave of awareness in society. Now there is open talk in villages and towns that menstruation is not a disease, but a natural process. Cleanliness removes infection, confidence rises, and women remain conscious about their health. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann believes that “health is not an option, but a necessity” and this very thinking is the foundation of this scheme.
The ‘Navi Disha’ scheme proves that the Mann Government places the health and dignity of women of every class at the top.
