Tarun Kumar
| Tarun Kumar | |
|---|---|
 Tarun Kumar Jamshedpur.jpg | |
| Born | |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Indian |
| 🎓 Alma mater | Cooperative College Jamshedpur |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| 🏅 Awards | Dr. Kalam Youth Ratna Award for youth leadership, MHM Goodwill Ambassador |
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Tarun Kumar is an Indian social worker from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, known for his work on menstrual hygiene and rural development. He is closely associated with the Nischay Foundation (also spelled Nishchay), a Jamshedpur-based NGO focused on women, children and rural welfare.[1][2] Kumar has been described as both a founder and secretary of the Nischay Foundation.[3] Through this organization he has led initiatives addressing education, health, menstrual hygiene, gender equality, environmental awareness, sports, and literacy in rural Jharkhand.[1] In recognition of his efforts, local media have dubbed him the "Padman of Jharkhand".[4]
Nischay Foundation
The Nischay Foundation is a non-profit organization based in East Singhbhum district (around Jamshedpur) that works on women’s empowerment, education and rural development. Tarun Kumar is cited as a leading figure of the foundation, with reports referring to him as founder or secretary.[3][1] The organization was launched around 2017 on a Menstrual Hygiene Day campaign, and engages urban volunteers to aid rural communities. Its programs include awareness workshops, distribution of supplies, and school-based "PadBank" projects to stock sanitary pads.[2] Media accounts note that Nischay’s activities span over a decade, with Kumar directing campaigns even without regular funding.[1]
Menstrual hygiene initiatives
In 2018, the Nischay Foundation launched a campaign called "Mission 5,000" to collect and distribute sanitary napkins. According to reports, the campaign succeeded in gathering 5,000 packets of pads within two months and opened pad dispensaries ("PadBanks") in local schools.[2] The Telegraph reported that this effort was recognized by the Limca Book of Records.[2] Kumar, then serving as Nischay’s secretary, noted that opening pad banks in 14 schools helped change mindsets about pad use in remote villages.[2]
During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Kumar organized a fundraising drive to meet urgent menstrual needs. Nischay volunteers raised money online and distributed sanitary pads to girls who could not buy them during lockdown. NDTV reported that Kumar’s team reached over 2,500 girls across about 80 villages, delivering pads and hygiene guidance door-to-door.[3]
Kumar has also organized awareness events on Menstrual Hygiene Day. In 2024, the Nischay Foundation held a "Masika Mahotsav" in Tiring village (Jamshedpur). Tarun Kumar, described as the "Padman of Jharkhand", spoke at the event, discussing taboos and menstrual management. The program included launching a community "Period Library" of sanitary supplies, distributing eco-friendly pads, and honoring local customs that celebrate girls and women.[4]
Environmental awareness
In June 2020, Kumar launched the Ek Pad, Ek Ped ("One Pad, One Tree") campaign in East Singhbhum district. Inspired by the clear skies during lockdown, he encouraged each girl using a disposable pad to plant a sapling, aiming to offset sanitary waste with more trees.[2] Kumar said the campaign was needed to educate girls on safe disposal of pads and to foster environmental responsibility. Under this initiative, volunteers hand out a tree sapling with each pad packet and follow up to ensure the plants are nurtured.[2] The program is conducted under the guidance of tribal forest activist Padma Shri Jamuna Tudu.[2]
Awards and recognition
In November 2024, Kumar was honored at the 4th Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) India Summit in New Delhi. He was named an MHM Goodwill Ambassador for his contributions to menstrual hygiene management and the welfare of rural children in Jharkhand.[1] The award was presented by Padma Shri S. Damodaran, founder of the NGO Gramalaya.[1] The Daily Pioneer noted that Kumar has worked "tirelessly in Jharkhand’s rural communities" for over fourteen years and is seen as "a symbol of hope for rural children’s welfare".[1]
Aside from the Goodwill Ambassador title, Nischay’s campaigns have gained recognition for their impact. The 5,000-pad collection was slated for inclusion in the Limca Book of Records.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Tarun Kumar named MHM Goodwill Ambassador". The Pioneer. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "Mission to spread hygiene awareness". The Telegraph. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Jharkhand NGO Distributes Pads To 2,500 Girls Amid Lockdown". NDTV Swachh India. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "झारखंड के 'पैडमैन' तरुण कुमार ने मनाया मासिक महोत्सव". Prabhat Khabar. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
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