In a world
where taboos often stifle critical conversations, Swati Bedekar from Vadodara
chose to confront them head-on—with courage, clarity, and a resolve to bring a
change. Disturbed by the unhygienic conditions women endured during
menstruation—and the countless school days missed by girls due to lack of
access to sanitary products—she launched Sakhi to create low-cost,
biodegradable sanitary pads. Sakhi began in the villages of Dahod, Gujarat, and
has since grown into a nationwide movement improving menstrual hygiene and
empowering women through local pad manufacturing units.
Swati’s
story now finds a wider canvas as part of Hausla Talks, an initiative by Kotak
Mahindra Bank that celebrates individuals who embody the spirit of belief,
boldness, and the drive to act against the odds. Through Hausla Talks, Kotak
not only highlights such inspiring journeys of real people but also signals its
intent to walk alongside those driving change—supporting their vision, their
ventures, and their verve.
Swati’s
work was born from necessity and nurtured by conviction. What started as a
grassroots effort for rural Gujarat has today spread its branches to at least
1,180 production units in India, Zimbabwe, and Jordan, transforming not just
hygiene standards but livelihoods and confidence among women and local
communities.
Through
training and decentralised production, Sakhi has enabled thousands of rural
women to become financially independent while creating awareness about
menstrual health. It is a model rooted in sustainability, empowerment, and
grassroots innovation—an embodiment of what it means to lead with purpose and
resilience.
Swati’s
inclusion in Hausla Talks aligns with Kotak Mahindra Bank’s new brand
philosophy, ‘Hausla Hai Toh Ho Jayega’—a call to action for those who dare to
dream and do. The campaign celebrates changemakers like Swati, whose courage
fuels both a person’s growth and development of a society, an entire community.
“Kotak’s
‘Hausla Talks’ initiative is about spotlighting those who didn’t wait for
change—they created it. Swati’s journey reflects the true spirit of ‘Hausla Hai
Toh Ho Jayega’, and we are proud to feature her as someone whose courage
continues to uplift and inspire,” said Kedarswamy Ravangave, Executive Vice
President – Marketing, Kotak Mahindra Bank.
As Hausla Talks unfolds, it seeks to spark conversations and fuel aspirations around stories like Swati’s that prove belief backed by resolve can indeed make the world a better place.
