Vellore: The students were surprised when four women employees of Tiruchy NGO Gramalaya extolled the advantages of using reusable cloth pads instead of sanitary napkins.

“There are three Self Help Groups around Vellore that manufacture napkins, but they are of disposable variety,” said a senior official of the TN Women’s development corporation that oversees this work. “Reusable cloth pads that are cheaper in the long run are degradable are new to the district,” he added.

he four-member team visited Vellore on some other work and approached the school head as they had some time to spare. “When we explained the reason, the headmaster obliged us immediately,” said TN Nalini, monitoring officer of the Bank of America & Merill Lynch project that funds the venture.