Mentored by late Ratan Tata, This founder is distributing sanitary pads for free across rural India

At just 23 years old, Arjun Deshpande, founder and CEO of Generic Aadhaar, has unveiled a new initiative aimed at combating menstrual health disparities in some of Maharashtra’s most underserved districts.

The campaign, titled “Stree Shakti – A No-Profit Initiative,” was officially launched on June 21, 2025, and focuses on distributing free sanitary pads to adolescent girls and women in rural and tribal areas where access to menstrual hygiene products remains scarce or nonexistent.

Stree Shakti’s first phase targets four high-vulnerability districts—Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Melghat and Palghar—where the use of sanitary napkins remains alarmingly low due to affordability, lack of awareness and deep-rooted taboos. Under the initiative, sanitary pads are manufactured at a cost of Rs 3 per unit and distributed without profit. In the most remote regions, Generic Aadhaar has taken the extra step of providing the pads free of charge.

Deshpande, who was mentored by the late Ratan Tata, said the initiative draws directly from his mentor’s vision to promote dignity and well-being among India’s most marginalised women.

“The ‘Stree Shakti’’ initiative is very close to my heart, as it fulfills the dream of my mentor, Ratan Tata Sir, to safeguard women’s health and dignity in rural India. In many villages, women are still using unsafe alternatives due to lack of access to sanitary pads, which can lead to serious health issues,” Deshpande said.

The project’s on-ground execution involves door-to-door campaigns led by Generic Aadhaar’s pharmacist teams, who deliver sanitary pads directly to women and girls. By avoiding traditional retail and government channels, the initiative aims to bypass logistical and cultural barriers and offer immediate, tangible support to first-time users.

Deshpande’s startup, Generic Aadhaar, distributes low-cost generic medicines through a wide network of retail outlets and franchises. The new campaign marks a significant expansion of that vision, moving from pharmaceutical affordability into preventive health for women.

Notably, netizens have dubbed him as the “Real Padman of India,” a reference to the Bollywood film based on social entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganantham.

In its initial weeks, the campaign has reached hundreds of first-time beneficiaries, many of whom had never before used a sanitary pad. 

“By focusing on direct distribution, the ‘Stree Shakti’ campaign is breaking taboos and safeguarding women’s health and dignity, one pad at a time.”

The second phase of Stree Shakti will expand to other high-need areas in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand, guided by data on health vulnerability and menstrual product penetration. The initiative plans to collaborate with local NGOs and women’s self-help groups to increase awareness and community trust.

“Our team is working tirelessly on the ground to provide free sanitary pads to those who need them most. We believe that empowering women with access to these essentials is the first step towards building a healthier, more equitable future,” Deshpande added.