KOLLAM: Anju Bist, a Punjabi woman who made the world's first menstrual pads using banana fibre and became known as 'The Pad Woman of India', stays in Kerala. She received the 'Women Transforming India' Award from the NITI Aayog last week.

She has been in Kerala as part of the Amritanandamayi Math for twenty years. 'Soukhyam' pads made from dried banana fibre and wrapped in cotton cloth, have become a worldwide hit. The pad can be washed in dry water and used for up to three years.

It is mainly sold through online. It is exported to various countries including the United States. Till now five lakh pads have been distributed. On packet has five pads and it costs Rs 350.

"The aim is to provide income for rural women, their health care and environmental friendliness." says Anju Bist.