Kurukshetra,
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today announced free sanitary napkins for adolescent girls in support of Miss World Manushi Chillar’s social initiative of promoting personal hygiene among women.

Khattar welcomed Manushi on the concluding day of the International Gita Mahotsav here. He said around Rs 18 crore would be spent to provide sanitary pads to schoolgirls.

The Chief Minister also announced Manushi’s appointment as the brand ambassador of the Haryana government’s project to eradicate anaemia among women.

Khattar said the government would support Manushi’s project ‘Shakti’ that is aimed at women empowerment. “Nearly 61 per cent of Haryanavi women are iron deficient and the issue requires extra attention. We duly honour Manushi’s commitment to working for women’s welfare and the state government will extend full support in this regard,” he said.

Haryana-born beauty sensation showed her gratitude to the Chief Minister on both announcements.

“Being Miss World is not just about beauty but beauty with a purpose. I attribute my international success to the acceptance of my idea of working for the personal hygiene of women,” she told mediapersons here on her maiden visit to her home state after winning the beauty crown.

Manushi said she is proud to be a student of Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women in Sonepat that symbolised promotion of girl education in the state. “My college is located at Khanpur that has the best sex ratio among all villages of Haryana. Consistent government efforts have improved the gender ratio in Haryana and I also want to contribute to women’s welfare,” she said.

Manushi, Dressed in a white dress, said she was not a typical pageant girl but an ordinary Haryanvi girl who wants to fulfil her dreams.

“My parents have a great role in inculcating values in me. Bhagavd Gita is a major source of inspiration for me and the spiritual text has a special role in my life,” she added.