“Patri se hat kar bahut kam log soch paate hai.”
Amir Khan delivered some Steve Jobs wisdom in the movie Taare Zameen Par and reminded us of the rare individuals who dare to think different, to step off the beaten path. Anju Bist is one such individual who stepped off the train of the ordinary to venture out in the fields of extraordinary.
A young girl from West Bengal, with dreams as vast as the Bay of Bengal itself, Anju found herself navigating the corporate maze of the US. Picture her, collaborating with the likes of PwC, making her mark in the Silicon Valleys of the world. But, much like the plot twist in a classic Bollywood drama, a chance encounter with ‘Amma’, a spiritual beacon known globally and the founder of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, nudges her towards a path less traveled. It’s like that moment in DDLJ when Shah Rukh Khan’s Raj realizes his true calling.
Now, Anju wasn’t chasing a loved one across mustard fields, but she was chasing a dream — a dream to revolutionize menstrual hygiene. You see about 12.3 billion kgs or 113,000 tonnes of used sanitary pads are dumped in landfills in India every year. A single commercially available non-organic sanitary pad (commonly available popular brands) takes up to 250–800 years to decompose or may never decompose at all. Each pad contains plastic equivalent to around 4 plastic bags.
" After tireless research, Anju finally found her hero: the humble banana fiber. In India, the banana tree holds a special place. It’s not just a plant; it’s a symbol of prosperity, often adorning the entrances of homes during festivals. And Anju, with her innovative spirit, transformed this symbol into a beacon of wellness. Banana trees only give fruit once and then they are cut or die naturally. The fiber is obtained from the stem or trunk of these trees without harming any living trees. "
But here’s where the plot thickens. Anju’s vision wasn’t just about crafting a product; it was about crafting change. Anju lived a reel-life moment in real life. By training rural women to produce these pads, she didn’t just give them a job; she gave them a voice, a purpose, and a sense of pride."
And oh, the world took notice. From the bustling bazaars of Delhi to the digital storefronts of the USA, Saukhyam Pads were making waves. But, in true Desi style, Anju’s heart remained anchored to her roots. The majority of her pads reached the very heart of India, transforming menstrual hygiene from a whispered secret into a celebrated right. Through her efforts, over 5 lakh women have switched to these eco-friendly pads. Saukhyam Pads have prevented the emission of over 2,000 tonnes of CO2 annually and eliminated an estimated 43,750 tonnes of non-biodegradable waste.
" Now, if this were a Bollywood movie, we’d have a song sequence celebrating Anju’s triumphs. But real life, though devoid of choreographed dances, offered something more profound. Through workshops and initiatives, Anju aimed to dismantle the age-old taboos surrounding menstruation, much like in the movie Pad Man, and thus, she was named the “Pad Woman of India. ”
For the budding dreamers out there, Anju’s journey is a song of hope. “Let passion be your compass,” she’d often say, echoing the sentiments of countless Indian tales where the heart’s true calling triumphs against all odds.
So, as the curtains fall on this narrative, one thing is clear: Anju Bist, with her unshakeable spirit and vision, is crafting a legacy as timeless as our land’s tales. And in her story, we find a reflection of India itself — vibrant, resilient, and ever-evolving.
