Bengaluru: Never did entrepreneur Indu Priya Dhanraj ever think that she would make this shift into a world, which she herself admits, is so fulfilling.

It all started with the floods in Chennai. A flood of volunteers joined the relief works. The enormity of the situation around would move every heart. It was a multitude without food, water or electricity for days together and people like Indu volunteered to provide food to helpless victims of the situation.

“For me, this journey started with the Chennai floods. Relief work was going on in pockets, and the outer city wasn’t getting that much help. I was volunteering in Tiruvallur district, cleaning up and doing relief work there. Septic tanks were full, turning into breeding grounds for mosquitoes. That was when I approached Goonj for help. And that’s how the association started. Goonj gave me a lot of confidence in undertaking relief and rehabilitation work,” recalls Indu.

“Later, it was with the support of Goonj that I started Danirasa Foundation, an implementation partner for Goonj. We started with only 20 members but now it is going from strength to strength,” she adds.

They are mainly working with women, giving them a platform to earn their living. “We have almost 60-70 women under our wings, doing various things, like making different products like bags, working in the collector’s office and even `recycling’ sanitary napkins.”

And at the surprise of recycled napkins, her answer is, “Yes, we are making cloth sanitary napkins that can be used 40 times. They cost Rs 25 each, and can be washed and used for six months. We have distributed it among many physically challenged people, and they have given a very good feedback. We are still doing the research and development and welcome feedback,” she proudly announces.

This will be of great help to women living in the interiors. “I see a a shift in mentality among women from villages. They want to work, earn and contribute. They don’t wish to sit at home. They are ready to travel and work. And they are ready to embrace new things, as simple as the sanitary napkins.”