by Ashis Sinha
A young girl student from DPS Bokaro, has unveiled a game-changing solution that is poised to revolutionize menstrual hygiene in schools, offering hope to countless girls facing challenges during their menstruation cycles.
In a significant stride forward, Bokaro (Jharkhand) girl Ayushi, a seventh-grade student, has invented a biometric sanitary pad dispenser, linked to Aadhaar numbers and school records. This innovative device empowers female students to discreetly access sanitary pads using their fingerprints, eliminating the need to ask for assistance or feel embarrassed.
Her remarkable creation has earned her recognition in the ‘Inspire Award Manak’ scheme for 2022-23, a prestigious initiative by the Government of India.
On December 15, Ayushi is set to showcase her groundbreaking invention at the state-level exhibition and project competition in Ranchi. Moreover, her project has garnered national attention, as it has been selected for the Child Rights Congress (CRC).
Ayushi’s relentless dedication to her project has been rewarded with a government incentive of Rs 10,000 following her success at the district level in the Inspire Manak competition. She received invaluable support from Twinkle Sinha, a sixth-grade student, in developing this remarkable solution.
Describing her biometric sanitary pad box, Ayushi explained that it can hold up to 100 pads, benefiting not only her school but also government school students. The box features two compartments—one for pad withdrawals and another for pad donations. Students can take one pad and are required to contribute two within a week, with the system sending reminders to ensure compliance.
To streamline the process, Ayushi incorporated LED glow bulbs and sensors into the box. A green light indicates the availability of more than four pads, while a red light flashes to alert attendants when the quantity falls below four. Ayushi also included a user guide to accompany the pads distributed to government school students.
What sets Ayushi’s invention apart is its integration with the school’s database, making all transactions automatically recorded in the school’s cloud storage. This feature allows immediate reminder messages to be sent to students’ mobile phones in case of delays in pad donations.
Ayushi’s inspiration for this project stemmed from witnessing the hardships faced by her fellow female students due to the unavailability of sanitary pads. In rural areas, the absence of essential resources such as sanitary pads, clean water, and suitable sanitation facilities often leads to girls dropping out of school. These challenges result in anxiety, embarrassment, and disrupted education.
Ayushi’s project has a noble mission: to raise awareness about menstruation, provide affordable sanitary napkins, engage both private and government schools in pad donation programs, and promote a sustained cycle of hygiene education.
Dr. A. S. Gangwar, Principal of DPS Bokaro, lauded Ayushi’s innovative thinking and highlighted the practicality of her solution for female students. He praised her philanthropic innovation, which merges intelligence with social concern, and celebrated her selection for the Inspire Award and the national Child Rights Congress competition.
“Ayushi’s invention offers a brighter future for schoolgirls and sets a remarkable example for addressing pressing social issues through innovative solutions,” added Gangwar.