Niine movement launches inaugural menstrual awareness conclave Akshay kumar supports niine menstrual awareness conclave with the rock anthem let's talk about periods! Akshay kumar champions the efforts of 9 pad heroes across india

Megastar Akshay Kumar showed his support for menstrual hygiene awareness with a spirited debut of a new rock anthem ‘Let’s Talk About Periods’ at the Niine Menstrual Awareness Conclave.

The conclave took place on Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Day, and marked the launch of the Niine Movement, an ambitious five-year plan conceived by social entrepreneur Amar Tulsiyan aimed at raising awareness on the importance of menstrual hygiene and tackling the taboos associated with menstruation.

Akshay Kumar was chief guest at the event, following his recent role in award-winning film Pad Man, which tackled the issue of menstrual taboo. He voiced his support for the Niine Movement with the launch of the nationwide campaign #18to82, aimed at bridging the gap between the minority that are able to adopt hygienic practices and the large majority who are unable to.

Akshay Kumar took to the stage to passionately discuss the importance of raising menstrual hygiene awareness, which culminated in his performance by the Pad Man himself of a new rock song, ‘Let’s Talk About Periods’. Akshay surprised audiences when he began singing to the song’s guitar and drum infused soundtrack, but he soon had even the host clapping along to his performance. Akshay’s strong message on breaking the taboo and talking about periods shines through in the song.

Akshay also revealed interesting anecdotes from Pad Man, including the fact that his involvement in the film was inspired by a particular phrase: "After hearing this phrase, I made Pad Man… Never mess with someone who bleeds five days every month but does not die - that's the power of a woman.”

Speaking about the effectiveness and impact of the film, he said "No one wants to watch a boring documentary. People want to see a story with hero and heroine and the songs in an interesting way. Commercial cinema can make a huge difference."

As part of the Niine Movement’s commitment to educate and raise awareness of menstruation across all genders and age groups, Akshay Kumar also shone a light on lesser known ‘Pad Heroes’ of India, discussing their heroic efforts to improve understanding and awareness of menstruation, and awarding them 5 lacs on behalf of the Niine Movement to support them.

The Niine Menstrual Hygiene Conclave also featured two high-level panels engaging prominent and expert panellists, discussing a range of issues including focusing on the importance of menstrual hygiene management awareness and practice, the work already being conducted on ground to tackle the issues and address the barriers, and the challenges within the education sector. The end of the conclave saw Akshay Kumar joined by founders of the Niine Movement Amar Tulsiyan, Sharat Khemka, Gaurav Bathwal, as they pledged to join the Pad Man Army and create a Chain of Niine to raise menstrual hygiene awareness.

Speaking about his support of the Menstrual Awareness Conclave, Akshay Kumar said: “The Niine Menstrual Awareness Conclave is a crucial assembly of minds, influencers and menstrual awareness champions - convening under one roof with the common goal of tackling the urgent issues, taboos and stigmas associated with menstrual health and hygiene. We, as a collective society, can only implement change once we initiate discussion, and the conclave on International Menstrual Hygiene Day is a fitting platform for us to truly empower a nation of women. Together we can ensure that every woman and girl has the right to manage her period safely and with dignity.”