Brands
Niine pushes the envelope on sanitary pads, menstrual hygiene in Maha Kumbh Mela
MUMBAI: There was a time when menstruation and religious ceremonies did not go together. When if a woman was having her periods she could not enter a temple. As she was “unclean.” No more. With the wider availability of absorbent napkins and tampons, women need not be consider themselves unclean and could visit the temple even when they are menstruating.
Many contemporary Hindus argue that menstruation is a natural biological process and should not bar women from worship. Some temples, including progressive shrines, have openly welcomed menstruating women to challenge the stigma. This practice, though still followed in many places, is increasingly being questioned as education and awareness about menstrual health grow.
Taking a step further in this direction, Niine Sanitary Pads which has brought menstrual hygiene to the forefront at India’s largest religious gathering, the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
Collaborating with Vatsalya Seva Samiti and local authorities, the brand has distributed thousands of sanitary pads to women attendees, with numbers expected to rise by the event’s conclusion.
This initiative aims to ensure menstruation is not a barrier to participation in the spiritual event. Niine, known for driving conversations on menstrual health through campaigns like ‘Let’s Talk Period,’ has been widely praised for its effort. Videos of volunteers distributing sanitary pads have gone viral on social media, sparking conversations about menstrual awareness and accessibility.
“We believe menstrual hygiene is essential to women’s health and dignity,” said Niine co-founder Gaurav Bathwal. “By being present at the Maha Kumbh Mela, we aim to foster an environment where women feel empowered and supported.”
Niine CEO Ameya Dangi added: “Access to sanitary pads is crucial, especially at large public gatherings. We have always believed in using such platforms to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene.”
The initiative has received overwhelming appreciation from women attendees, many expressing gratitude for the essential support. It is particularly significant for rural and semi-urban communities, where access to sanitary products remains limited.
Far from a simple CSR activity, Niine’s efforts at the Kumbh are being hailed as a movement to normalise menstruation and promote menstrual hygiene. By taking this bold step, the brand continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering social change and empowering women.
Brands
FSS names Anand Krishnamurthi head of global digital delivery
Tech veteran to drive AI-first, cloud-led transformation in payments globally
CHENNAI: Financial Software and Systems (FSS), an AI-first payment infrastructure company, has appointed Anand Krishnamurthi as head of global digital delivery.
In his new role, Anand Krishnamurthi will lead FSS’s global digital delivery capabilities, focusing on AI-first and cloud-led transformation while ensuring predictable, high-quality outcomes for customers worldwide. He will be based in Chennai and report to V. Balasubramanian, CEO of FSS.
Bringing 28 years of experience in technology and digital transformation across banking, capital markets, financial services, and insurance, Anand has held senior leadership positions at Cognizant and NuSummit. He is recognised for scaling multi-geography delivery teams, leading mission-critical platforms, and embedding AI-driven automation in complex, regulated environments.
“What drew me to FSS is its deep payments expertise, strong product DNA, and the scale at which its platforms power real-world financial ecosystems,” said Anand Krishnamurthi. “I aim to strengthen delivery predictability, execution rigor, and engineering quality, building empowered teams that deliver measurable customer outcomes. FSS has a unique opportunity to create real-time, AI-infused payments infrastructure that is resilient, secure, and globally scalable.”
V. Balasubramanian added, “Anand’s track record in leading multi-geography delivery programs and AI-first operating models makes him the ideal leader for FSS as we accelerate our AI-driven digital payments business. His leadership will help us raise the bar for outcomes globally.”
This appointment is part of FSS’s broader push to build an AI-powered, cloud-native delivery organisation capable of meeting the evolving needs of banks, fintechs, and financial institutions worldwide.
