Big B heaps praise on granddaughter Navya’s menstrual health work in villages

"So, I thought, since l am living in the village, I should do something nice for my village. I contested to be the Sarpanch with this motive," she shared.

Mumbai: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has lauded the social work done by his granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda, for the menstruating women of the rural areas, and opened up on how the mindset of the people in the villages should change.

In the episode 21 of the quiz based reality show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati‘ season 15, host Amitabh Bachchan welcomed Neeru Yadav, popularly known as Hockey Sarpanch, from Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu, and Chhavi Rajawat former Sarpanch of Soda, a village which is 60 kilometers from Jaipur, Rajasthan, to the hot seat.

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Talking about her journey, Neeru said: “When I got married and came to this village I saw a lot of differences. Women had to struggle for their basic needs. In Rajasthan, women wear the veil. Women couldn’t say what they want. They are carrying pots filled with water on their head.”

“So, I thought, since l am living in the village, I should do something nice for my village. I contested to be the Sarpanch with this motive,” she shared.

The ‘Sholay’ actor said: “œI would like to inform our viewers and audience that Chhavi is the first Sarpanch with an MBA. You gained education in renowned educational institutions. What made you return to your village?”

Chhavi shared: “Sir, it was not my idea. I give the credit to the 73rd and 74th Amendments Acts. Because of that, a woman got a chance to contest an election for this post. And, the villagers made this decision. So, I thought that if I don’t help being the daughter of my village then how can I expect others to help us?”

“Around 65 per cent of the population of India lives in the rural area. So, if you want to see the country change, our villages need to progress. And that’s what inspired me,” she said.

The 80-year-old actor said: “You are right! The villages are backward! A lot of facilities are not provided to them.”

Sharing an anecdote of his visit to a village, Big B said: “I had been to a village once. It lacked basic facilities. There was a small raised platform in the middle. There were flowers, plants, incense sticks and lamps on it. I asked them what they worship here. ‘They said, look up. This is what we worship’. I looked up. There was a light bulb. The villager said that when it lights up at night, we sit under it and study.”

The actor shared: “The work both of you do in the villages. is commendable. Congratulations to you! Okay! I wanted to know whether the amount you win today will be donated to a cause? Neeru ji, could you tell us who you will donate it to?”

To this Neeru replied: “It will be donated to the Aditri Foundation. This foundation works towards women’s education, and the environment.”

Big B: “What about your cause, Chhavi ji?”

Chhavi said: “Sir, it is New Eminent International School Shiksha Samiti. They run a women’s college. It is located in our village. And when we started this there were barely 60 female students. Now, there are more than 550 female students who come here for teacher training.”

Talking further about how the mindset of the rural people needs to be evolved, the ‘Mard’ fame actor said: “I believe the mindset needs to change. It is with a heavy heart I say this about our women. A woman is called impure when she gets her period every month. She is asked to leave the house. And the woman has to stay in the forest until the time her Menstrual period ends.”

Sharing how his granddaughter Navya is working for the cause of the rural women, Amitabh said: “There are many young girls now who study in colleges and have decided that they will go to such villages and make a hut for these women equipped with all the necessities. During those days every month, they can stay in those huts. I won’t shy away from saying that my granddaughter is doing this. She goes to villages. Her name is Navya. She runs an organisation.”

“She visits villages to get an idea of the conditions there. It was her idea that huts be made for these women. I hope that your statements will change the mindset of the people in the villages,” he added.

For the unversed, Navya is a women’s rights advocate, and is the founder of ‘Project Naveli’, a non-profit initiative which supports gender equality in India. It focuses in the fields of education, healthcare and financial independence.

‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 15’ airs on Sony.