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{{Infobox person
| name = Anurag Chauhan
| image = Anurag Chauhan at DLF.jpg
| image_upright =
| alt =
| caption = Chauhan at DLF 2017
| birth_name = 
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|07|15}}
| birth_place = [[Dehradun]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]
| nationality = Indian
| other_names = PadMan, PadWarrior<ref name="NDTV"/>
| citizenship =
| education = [[Master of social work]]
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Social worker, entrepreneur
| years_active = 2010–present
| employer =
| organization = [[Humans For Humanity]]
| known_for = Social Activism, Social Entrepreneurship
| notable_works = 
| style =
| net_worth = $5 Million
| television = [[Kaun Banega Crorepati]]
| home_town =
| movement = The WASH Project
| partner =
| parents = Vijaylaxmi Chauhan<br>Bharat Singh Chauhan
| awards = Karamveer Chakra by [[United Nations]]
| website = {{url|humansforhumanity.online}}
| signature_size =
| footnotes =
}}
'''Anurag Chauhan''' (born 1994) is an Indian social worker and founder of [[Humans For Humanity]], a [[non-governmental organization]] (NGO) headquartered in [[Dehradun]], India.<ref name="jagaran"/><ref>{{cite news |author1=Shobhaa De |author-link1=Shobhaa De |title=Voice of sanity |url=https://www.theweek.in/columns/Shobhaa-De/voice-of-sanity.html |publisher=[[The Week]] |date=February 26, 2017}}</ref> He is widely known for social work, particularly with regards to menstrual hygiene.<ref name="NDTV">{{cite news |last1=Ahuja |first1=Aastha |title="If Today We Don't Think And Act About Poor Menstrual Hygiene, It Will Become As Big As Polio And Then It Will Be Too Late", Says Delhi's Pad-Warrior |url=https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/menstrual-hygiene-anurag-chauhan-wash-humans-for-humanity-20681/ |publisher=[[NDTV]] |date=June 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Delhi youth reaches out to the needy |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDAYZGgRnOo |publisher=[[Asian News International]] |date=March 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Breaking The Bloody Taboo For Girls In India |url=https://www.femalista.com/breaking-bloody-taboo-girls-india/ |publisher=Femalista |date=May 15, 2018 |access-date=October 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010174354/https://www.femalista.com/breaking-bloody-taboo-girls-india/ |archive-date=October 10, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The WASH project started by him has reached over 2.5 million women in over 6 states in last 5 years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Breaking the BLOODY taboos |url=https://www.facebook.com/188056068070045/posts/1524638524411786/?d=n |publisher=[[Humans of Bombay]] |date=October 6, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Humans for Humanity: 15 लाख महिलाओं की सेनिटेशन जरूरतें पूरी कर रहा है WASH |url= https://www.idiva.com/hindi/lifestyle/wash-project-has-empowered-millions-women-in-hindi/18020551 |publisher=[[Times Internet]] iDiva|date=May 27, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Amazon Music">{{cite news |title= BELIEVER - ANURAG CHAUHAN |url=https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/6115ef1e-8848-466a-b40d-a2ec8459fafe/episodes/bfda6f3a-0085-4673-ac7a-dcca3cb805a3/humans-of-bombay-show-ep-3-believer---anurag-chauhan |publisher=Amazon Music|date= 29 September 2021 |language=English}}</ref>

He has been in the field of social work from a tender age of 14. During the pandemic he has been providing aid & essentials to over 8000 families in various parts of the country, supporting communities, low income group families, transmen, widows, maids, etc.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dehradun based NPO is providing aid to around 8000 families across different states |url=https://doonmirror.com/the-dehradun-based-npo-is-providing-aid-to-around-8000-families-across-different-states-during-the-pandemic/ |publisher=Doon Mirror|date=June 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrated in the city with free distribution of eco-friendly sanitary pads |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/menstrual-hygiene-day-celebrated-in-the-city-with-free-distribution-of-eco-friendly-sanitary-pads/articleshow/83197636.cms |work=[[The Times of India]]|date=June 3, 2021}}</ref> [[Humans For Humanity]] has started employment generation programs to uplift and empower communities, making them financially stable & independent even during the pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |title=NGO ties up with school in Dehradun to revive traditional puppetry with innovative teaching |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/ngo-ties-up-with-school-in-dehradun-to-revive-traditional-puppetry-with-innovative-teaching/story-Sljf4rDkT1soXdN3MnGwtJ.html |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=November 8, 2020}}</ref> The WASH project which is a pilot project of the organisation has been working to promote menstrual hygiene among the women of rural areas of six states of the country including Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and others, decided to work on the initiative for transmen since last year.<ref>{{cite news |title=World Menstrual Hygiene Day: Uttarakhand activists promote menstrual hygiene among trans community |url= https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/world-menstrual-hygiene-day-uttarakhand-activists-promote-menstrual-hygiene-among-trans-community-101622188497813.html |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=May 28, 2021}}</ref>

== Works ==
In 2015, Chauhan started a project called WASH (Women, Sanitation, Hygiene) that works to educate women about menstrual hygiene, providing them [[sanitary napkins]] and training them to make bio-degradable sanitary napkins. The workshop is led by doctors to tell the women about biological reasons behind menstruation, hormonal changes, about various stages right from teenage to menopause. Counselling is given to women particularly who are dealing with menopause. Nutritionists tell women and girls about importance of food & nutrition intake. Affordability and sustainability are big issues, which is why they train the women to make their own sanitary napkins at home. The workshop also covers the harmful effects of poor menstrual hygiene and teach about the disposal of napkins. In 2018, WASH started Breaking The Bloody Taboo campaign where, as the name suggests, Anurag and his team strive to strip women of the age-old taboos. During one such campaign in Rajasthan, the volunteers conducted a session inside a temple with women of menstruating age. In another session, Anurag handed over tulsi saplings to women and asked them to nurture the sapling for a month and then see the results.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Sromona |title=Humans For Humanity: This 24-Yr-Old Man Is Teaching Rural Women To "Break The Bloody Taboo" |url=https://thelogicalindian.com/exclusive/anurag-chauhan-menstrual-health/ |publisher= The Logical Indian |date=11 Jan 2018}}</ref>

Chauhan started this project after reading an article written about deaths caused due to lack of [[menstruation]] hygiene.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chopra |first1=Avantika |title=World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2018: Two men's efforts to spread awareness about women's personal hygiene |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/world-menstruation-day-menstruation-cup-sanitary-napkins-menstrual-hygiene-5192494/ |publisher=[[Indian Express]] |date=May 28, 2018}}</ref> His cause received support from actress [[Twinkle Khanna]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Budhwar |first1=Yeshika |title=Twinkle Khanna supports NGO's women hygiene cause |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/twinkle-khanna-supports-ngos-women-hygiene-cause/articleshow/61896097.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=December 2, 2017}}</ref>

Chauhan runs awareness programs in many villages, slums, schools and colleges of [[Uttarakhand]], [[Delhi]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Maharashtra]] and [[Karnataka]].<ref name="jagaran">{{cite news |last1=Negi |first1=Deepika |title=यह हैं रियल लाइफ के पैडमैन, सेनेटरी पैड लेकर कर रहे हैं जागरूक |url=https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/dehradun-city-this-is-real-life-padman-18011277.html |publisher=[[Dainik Jagaran]] |date=29 May 2018 |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Chauhan calls on Governor |url=https://humansforhumanity.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/unnamed-28-600x600.jpg |publisher=HTNS |date=January 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2018 |url= http://www.indoamerican-news.com/world-menstrual-hygiene-day-2018-two-mens-efforts-to-spread-awareness-about-womens-personal-hygiene/ |publisher=Indo American News|date=May 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Meet the real life Padman, Anurag Chauhan|url= https://middleeastheadlines.com/featured/18561/meet-the-real-life-padman-anurag-chauhan/ |publisher=Middle East Headlines|date=September 26, 2020}}</ref>

During the nationwide lockdown the efforts of Humans for Humanity has come as a great help to the women who have been taught how to make sanitary napkins at home as they don’t have to go out and buy them but they can make hygienic sanitary pads themselves at home. They have reached a new level of empowerment as they are not dependent on the outside world to maintain a healthy menstrual cycle. Anurag is an example how youth of India are breaking the stereotype associated with menstrual hygiene by touching lives of those who need awareness and education by honesty, dedication and a will do bring a positive change. Anurag is indeed the real life Padman.<ref>{{cite news|title= Meet the real life Padman – Anurag Chauhan |url=https://sankalpnews.com/meet-the-real-life-padman-anurag-chauhan/ |publisher=Sankalp News|date=May 28, 2020}}</ref>
Stigmas, combined with financial restraints, further add to the neglected state of menstrual health. The WASH project by Humans For Humanity is actively working in six states and has employed women from the villages, making them financially self-sufficient. The eco friendly, reusable cloth pads last up to 2-2.5 years and come as part of a kit that also has liners, undergarments, soap bars & a guide.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bali |first1=Etti |title=Bleed with dignity: Sustainable solutions for a healthy period |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/health/bleed-with-dignity-sustainable-solutions-for-a-healthy-period/story-zNDMaj1mWIiriyrG93MztI.html |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]
|date=July 25, 2020}}</ref> Hundreds of community workers, women, self help groups & ngos have been given online workshop to make sanitary napkins by Humans For Humanity during the lockdown.<ref>{{cite news |last1=S Sen |first1=Debarati |title=Over 100 self-help groups benefit from online cloth pad making workshop |url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/mumbai/over-100-self-help-groups-benefit-from-online-cloth-pad-making-workshop/articleshow/76941124.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=July 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ahuja |first1=Aastha |title=Menstrual Hygiene Day 2020: This NGO Is Teaching People To Produce Reusable Sanitary Kits, Breaking Taboo Around Menstruation |url=https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/menstrual-hygiene-day-2020-this-ngo-is-teaching-people-to-produce-reusable-sanitary-kits-breaking-taboo-around-menstruation-45276/ |publisher=[[NDTV]] |date=May 29, 2020}}</ref>
Anurag’s efforts being a man have been immense in making these women become self-reliant.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gauba |first1=Prerna |title= Maintaining menstrual hygiene in times of Covid-19 |url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/fitness/maintaining-menstrual-hygiene-in-times-of-covid-19/story-wiCePv0nQYhFMNzg54okEI.htmlna |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]
|date=June 26, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= लॉकडाउन में 'आधी आबादी' के मददगार बने अनुराग चौहान, ऐसे युवाओं पर गर्व है
|url=https://www.rajyasameeksha.com/uttarakhand/13419-rj-kaavya-ek-pahadi-aisa-bhi-anurag-chauhan |publisher=Rajya Sameeksha
|date=August 18, 2020}}</ref>

During the lockdown he fed over 8000 families through out the pandemic in various slums & villages of the country, particularly the artists community of [[Kathputli Colony]] living in Anand Parvat, which is a transit camp. Amid the Covid19 pandemic that has forced schools to adopt online teaching, Humans For Humanity is trying to leverage the new normal by introducing traditional puppetry in the teaching process to present the children with an innovative way of learning and revive the centuries old traditional art form. As the lockdown lifted in New Delhi, Anurag started an employment generation project for the street artists connecting them with schools and generating income through online classes/performances. The project is helping save the dying [[Street art]] and provide livelihood to many street artists.<ref>{{cite news |title= NGO ties up with school in Dehradun to revive traditional puppetry with innovative teaching|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/education/ngo-ties-up-with-school-in-dehradun-to-revive-traditional-puppetry-with-innovative-teaching/story-Sljf4rDkT1soXdN3MnGwtJ.html |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]
|date=November 8, 2020}}</ref>

== Other ==
Chauhan acted in a film as a lead actor, shot in Rajasthan. The film is based on [[Clean India Campaign]], an initiative by PM [[Narendra Modi]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chopra |first1=Jaskiran |title=Doon lad shooting for movie on Swachchh Bharat |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/print.php?printFOR=storydetail&story_url_key=doon-lad-shooting-for-movieknown-on-swachchh-bharat&section_url_key=STATE-EDITIONS |publisher=[[Daily Pioneer]] |date=September 21, 2015}}</ref>

In September, 2017, Chauhan started an online social media campaign, #TheDoorChallenge, to promote rich Indian cultural heritage and traditional Indian attire among youngsters. The challenge went viral and was well received by an international audience and garnered support from many countries such as [[Australia]], [[Canada]] and [[Bangladesh]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vohra |first1=Akshita |title=Dehradun's #TheDoorChallenge goes global |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/dehraduns-thedoorchallenge-goes-global/articleshow/60805913.cms |work=[[The Times of India]]
|date=September 23, 2017}}</ref>

In April, 2020, Chauhan started India's 1st online Virtual Literature Festival, during the nationwide lockdown due to coronavirus, to promote rich Indian cultural heritage, literature and arts among the people stuck at home. The festival was very well received by a huge audience and garnered people's support from all walks of life. His efforts were applauded by the audiences for taking an initiative to bring out content that helped many during the time they felt low & lonely.<ref>{{cite news |title=Virtual Literary Festival held amidst nationwide lockdown |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/mumbai/virtual-literary-festival-held-amidst-nationwide-lockdown/articleshow/75389218.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=April 26, 2020}}</ref> Actress [[Lisa Ray]], [[Laxmi Agarwal]], [[Bollywood]] choreographer [[Sandip Soparrkar]], [[Shobhaa De]], [[Sonal Mansingh]], [[Divya Dutta]] were amongst many others who participated in the fest.<ref>{{cite news |title=Virtual Lit-Fest to be hosted amidst nationwide lockdown |url=http://garhwalpost.in/virtual-lit-fest-to-be-hosted-amidst-nationwide-lockdown/ |publisher= Garhwal Post |date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> In June, 2020 the Virtual Literature Festival was launched as a Poscast series by Chauhan with [[Red FM (India)|RedFM]] on multiple platforms such RedFM app, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, [[Spotify]] & [[JioSaavn]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Anurag Chauhan's Virtual Lit Fest launched as a Podcast |url=https://sankalpnews.com/anurag-chauhans-virtual-lit-fest-launched-as-a-podcast/ |publisher= Sankalp News |date=June 25, 2020}}</ref>

In June, 2020 Chauhan launched a virtual series called Women of India in collaboration with [[UN Women]] to talk about various topics concerning women.<ref>{{cite news|title=First of many sessions with Anurag Chauhan, Today with Lt. Governor, Pondicherry Dr. Kiran Bedi |url= https://twitter.com/unwomenindia/status/1269906885102063616?s=21 |publisher=[[UN Women]] |date=June 8, 2020}}</ref> The inaugural session was attended by [[Kiran Bedi]].<ref>{{cite news|title= Being a part of #WomenofIndia, a virtual series on various topics concerning women, curated by Anurag Chauhan in collaboration with UN Women India |url= https://twitter.com/thekiranbedi/status/1269885917889564672?s=21 |publisher= [[Kiran Bedi]] |date=June 8, 2020}}</ref>

In the month of October & November Chauhan appeared on [[Kaun Banega Crorepati]] multiple times, airing on [[Sony TV]] as an Expert.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chauhan appears on KBC |url=https://garhwalpost.in/chauhan-appears-on-kbc/ |publisher= Garhwal Post |date=October 14, 2020}}</ref>

During the show, Anurag was introduced by host [[Amitabh Bachchan]]. Amitabh gave an insight into Anurag’s NGO, ‘Human’s for Humanity’, and spoke about how the latter has been working on educating the masses and spreading awareness on menstrual hygiene. During the ‘Expert Advice’ lifeline in the show, Anurag was called upon by Bachchan to assist the contestants on the hot seat.<ref>{{cite news |title= देहरादून के अनुराग को बधाई, केबीसी में बने एक्सपर्ट एडवाइजर, अमिताभ ने की तारीफ |url=https://www.rajyasameeksha.com/uttarakhand/14232-dehradun-anurag-chauhan-became-expert-advisor-at-kbc |publisher= Rajya Sameeksha|date=October 16, 2020}}</ref>

Humans For Humanity started Red Cloth Campaign during the pandemic, to spread awareness about menstruation & bust the taboos. Actor [[Lisa Ray]] and singer-actor [[Shibani Dandekar]], [[Kirti Kulhari]], [[Kubra Sait]], [[Divya Seth]] supported the campaign along with thousands of social media users.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Garg |first1=Ruchika |title=Break the taboo: Celebs support menstrual health via social media |url= https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/break-the-taboo-celebs-support-menstrual-health-via-social-media/story-c4J71mNEJkEKDaDDoVdU4N.html |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=August 30, 2020}}</ref>

== Awards and recognition ==

* Karmaveer Chakra Award by the [[United Nations]], 2016<ref name="jagaran"/><ref>{{cite news |title=उत्तराखंड का 'रियल लाइफ पैडमैन' जिसे 'यूनाइटेड नेशन' ने सम्मानित किया... |url=https://rajyasameeksha.com/news/4836-Young-lad-from-Uttarakhand-is-the-Human-for-Humanity |publisher=Rajya Sameeksha |date=28 May 2018 |language=hindi}}</ref>
* Bharat Nirman Award by [[Najma Heptulla]], the Union Minister of India, at the [[India International Centre]], 2016<ref>{{cite news |title=Anurag Chauhan awarded Bharat Nirman Award 2016 |url=https://www.newsdogapp.com/en/article/579487b576f3df4a5111c7cc/ |publisher=Newsdogapp |date=July 24, 2016}}</ref><ref name="tribuneindia">{{cite news |title=Social worker honoured |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/uttarakhand/community/social-worker-honoured/270749.html |publisher=[[Tribune India]] |date=July 24, 2016}}</ref>
* Delhi Achievers Award 2015 by ''Aaj Ki Delhi'' magazine<ref>{{cite news |title=Inbrief |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/dehradun/2015-12-02-116219.html |publisher=[[Daily Pioneer]] |date=December 2, 2015}}</ref>
* Chauhan was honoured with the International Women Empowerment Award 2019 by IWES, [[Ministry of Women and Child Development]], [[Government of India]], [[Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation]], [[Government of India]] and [[UNICEF]]. <ref name="Times Of India">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/an-award-ceremony-for-achievers-from-different-fields/articleshow/67995269.cms|title=Award Ceremony|date=February 14, 2019|publisher=[[Times Of India]]}}</ref>
* Awarded a medal & Global Fellowship by [[United Nations]], 2019<ref name="Conceptree News Blog">{{cite news |title=Dehradun's Anurag Chauhan awarded with Karamveer Chakra |url=https://conceptreetheprcompany.wordpress.com/2019/11/29/dehraduns-anurag-chauhan-awarded-with-karamveer-chakra/ |publisher=Conceptree News Blog |date=November 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=EXCLUSIVE: ANURAG CHAUHAN HONOURED BY UNITED NATIONS |url=https://sankalpnews.com/anurag-chauhan-honoured-by-united-nations/ |publisher= Sankalp News |date=November 28, 2019}}</ref>
* Awarded International Women’s Day He For She Award by Indian Council of UN Relations & [[Government of Delhi]]<ref name="The Asian Age">{{cite news |title=Celebrating Womanhood |url= https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-asian-age/20200304/282578790090162 |publisher=The Asian Age |date=March 4, 2020}}</ref>
* Mahatma Puraskar, 2021 for Social Impact as the WASH project reached to over 2.5 million women <ref name="ETV">{{cite news |title=देहरादून के अनुराग चौहान को समाज सेवा के लिए मिला 'महात्मा पुरस्कार 2021 |url= https://www.etvbharat.com/hindi/uttarakhand/state/dehradun/anurag-chauhan-of-dehradun-was-awarded-mahatma-puraskar-2021-for-social-service/uttarakhand20211001195636026 |publisher=ETV Bharat|date=1 Oct 2021 |language=hindi}}</ref><ref name="Dehradun Talkies">{{cite news |title= Doon's Anurag Chauhan receives Mahatma Award 2021 |url=https://dehratalkies.com/2021/10/02/doons-anurag-chauhan-receives-mahatma-award-2021/ |publisher=Dehradun Talkies|date=1 Oct 2021 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="India Education">{{cite news |title= Anurag Chauhan receives Mahatma Puraskar 2021 |url=https://indiaeducationdiary.in/doons-anurag-chauhan-receives-mahatma-puraskar-2021/ |publisher=India Education Diary|date= 1 Oct 2021 |language=English}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chauhan, Anurag}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Women's health]]
[[Category:Social workers from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:People from New Delhi]]
[[Category:1994 births]]

Anurag Chauhan - Revision history

>Citation bot at 12:17, 19 December 2021