-:: PROJECT PROFILE ::1.

PROJECT TITLE

Controlling the Growth of Infectious Diseases

among Rural Women and Girls by Establishing
Provision of Hygienic Cost Effective Sanitary
Napkins.

2.

PROJECT AREA

Shanti Sadhana Ashram, Shantivan,

Basistha, Guwahati-29

3.

PROJECT DURATION

1 year for Initial set-up of a Production Unit and

then production will continue.

A. INTRODUCTION:
It is well known to everyone that people are suffering from many diseases mainly due to the
unhygienic living atmosphere and living status. So, to reduce the spreading of such diseases
among the people the foremost step should be establishing a clean, hygienic living environment
and status. Generally people in cities are suffering from different diseases mostly from unhygienic
living atmosphere like- poisonous gaseous atmosphere, dusty or un-cleaned air, improper and
un-cleaned drainage system etc. etc. The people in cities are generally found to maintain a
cleaned living status. In rural areas though the environment is thought to be comparatively clean
than city areas, now-a-days in rural areas also the living atmosphere gradually deteriorating and
due to the lack of awareness/adequate knowledges among the people their living statuses have
not been seen at all hygienic. It is often found that the people living specially in very backward
areas are suffering from different diseases due to their ignorance on self cleanliness. Another
important factor is that the rural women and girls generally do not maintain cleanliness during
menstruation period. As a result they become the host of many infectious diseases. This is due to
the lack of awareness among them and also due to the economic inability for adopting better
precautions like- use of good sanitary napkins during menstruation period. Usually different
varieties of sanitary napkins are found available in the market. But the reason is that these
napkins are not affordable for rural poor women and girls. Thus, if the use of hygienic sanitary
napkins could be initiated among the rural women and girls at low cost then growth of different
diseases could be arrested or minimize to a large extent among them.
Shanti Sadhana Ashrams targeted working areas in different districts of Assam are very
backward where the women and girls are mostly found suffering from different diseases than the
men. So, the Ashram desire to work on arresting the growth of different diseases caused from
unhygienic menstruation period among girls and women.

B. THE PRESENT PROPOSAL :

It is a great opportunity for Shanti Sadhana Ashram to have made excellent rapport with ASHA,
USA and with the help and guidance of ASHA the Ashram has been getting the opportunity to
provide education to a part of very poor and backward children of two districts of Assam through
Jeevan Sadhana Vidya Niketans (JSVNs). The Ashram started this educational programme in
1992 with financial assistance from CRY, Kolkata, India and since then it has been running the
JSVNs totally selflessly without expecting any Ashrams benefits. But to continue this effort
sincerely, smoothly and successfully the source of a fund is absolutely necessary. In
management of this fund the Ashram still have to depend completely upon benevolent agencies

like- ASHA. Because, in JSVNs no high fees and contributions from the community could be
collected due to poor economic status of the people. Moreover, the Ashram itself is against the
policy of demanding high fees and contributions in educational institutions. Thus, the Ashram
deeply has been thinking of generating a permanent fund for the JSVNs and desire to take up
some income generating activities in support of the JSVNs so that the maximum part of
requirements for the JSVNs could be fulfilled satisfactorily from such activities.
In view of the above circumstances the Ashram has prepared the present proposal on setting-up
a production unit of Cost Effective Sanitary Napkins which will add a financial support to the
JSVNs and on the other hand will improve the women and girls health by initiating the use
hygienic napkins during menstruation period.

C. OBJECTIVES:
1.

To popularize and sensitise the use of sanitary napkins among the rural women and girls
and thereby rescuing them from venereal diseases.

2.

To establish and start preparation of cost effective/low cost sanitary napkins in scientific
way for better health and hygiene among rural women and girls.

3.

To engage some rural unemployed youths in production and marketing and also to fulfill the
school requirements to maximum parts.

3.

To provide and supplied quality based sanitary napkins to rural women in comparatively low
price than the napkins prevalent in the present day markets.

D. PROJECT BACKGROUND:
The project will be implemented as follows:
1. Selection of Site for Setting-up the Production Unit :
Shanti Sadhana Ashram, Shantivan, P.O. Basistha, Guwahati-29 and almost all of its branches in
different districts of Assam has enough land to start this programme. The initial starting up of the
programme is selected at the premises of the Ashram Head Quarter in Guwahati and later on
according to its demand it can be expanded to different districts through Ashrams 10 branches in
future.
The Ashram has selected to set up the unit in Head Office premises at Guwahati because there
will not be any shortage of land for small and big industries of this type. Moreover, Guwahati is
the only Gateway of North-East and thus marketing of the products can be done at Guwahati also
besides providing to rural areas. On the other hand if the production is established at Guwahati
then the monitoring and supervision of the unit can be made at ease. The raw-materials could
also be collected easily at low cost of transportation.
2. Preparation/Setting up of Training cum Production Shed:
To carry on the activities of the project a production shed of suitable space is a must. So, a
Assam Type permanent production shed will be constructed with proper ventilation, electrification,
water sources, necessary tools & machineries, furniture & fixtures etc. The size of the production
shed will be of 40 ft. x 20 ft. size with a 40 ft. x 8 ft. veranda.

3. Project Staff:
To carry on the activities of the project smoothly and successfully skilled and trained persons will
be engaged. The staff for the project will be- one Project/Programme Coordinator and 9/10
Skilled Workers. The selection of the staff will be made by the Executive Body of the Ashram.
Besides, some other eligible persons will also be selected on commission basis for marketing the
products.
4. Training on Production:
The Ashram already has a core group of 5 members who had got training in Cost Effective
Sanitary Napkin Preparation from Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG), Chennai, India. Thus
another group of 4/5 members will be formed by giving them adequate training in production. The
core group will be responsible for providing quality based training to 4/5 selected youths at Shanti
Sadhana Ashram, Guwahati. Experts from RuTAG, IIT, Guwahati will also be invited for the
training programme. The 4/5 youths later on will be fully engaged in production purposes with
existing 5 members core group. The tenure of the training programme will be of 15 days and will
be a residential one.
5. Organisation of Village Level Meeting/Seminar/Workshop:
One seminar will be conducted for the JSVN teachers to visualize the probability of infectious
occurrences from the use of unhygienic and dirty linens and to sensitise them for using hygienic
napkins during the period of menstruation for better health and hygiene. The teachers will be then
facilitated for disseminating their knowledges among others through Monthly Meetings in
respective areas. The Ashram has already a group of 21 teachers in its JSVNs who have good
relation with the community of 3/4 villages besides their native villages. So, they can be easily
involved in sensitising people for using hygienic napkins.
6. Publicity and Awareness:
The Ashram has good number of volunteers and well wishers in its targeted operational areas.
These volunteers could be facilitated for publicity and awareness. Moreover, the teachers of
JSVNs have often participating in different community meetings, functions etc. So, they can be
involved in publicity and awareness through these community meetings/functions. Moreover, the
Women Groups in the villages known as Mahila Samity, women SHGs, school teachers etc. will
be facilitated for publicity and awareness.
7. Marketing:
The products will be made available at two marketing outlet of the Ashram in Guwahati.
Moreover, the Ashram will facilitate and engage rural unemployed youths and entrepreneurs
through its 10 branches in different districts of Assam to make available the products to more and
more users. The teachers of the JSVNs also can be engaged in marketing from their homes in
respective villages.
8. Sustainability of the Project:
After setting up of the unit the production will continue. In the first year the produces will be
marketed through the Ashrams sales outlets in Guwahati and in different villages through its 10
branches in different districts. Whatever return comes in terms of money will again be utilized in
production purposes and management of the project staff in the second year. Gradually after the
second year when the production will increase and popularity, demand of the products could be

ascertained among the people then more returns will come and project will start running on self
effort.
9. School Support from the Project:
The project once become self-sustainable with good market of products then the profit will be
utilized directly as school development fund. The production cost will be recycled in production
and management of the project staff. The production report will be sent to ASHA periodically for
information.

E. ESTIMATED BUDGET:
The budget for the proposed project is envisaged as follows:
TABLE- 1
Sl.
Particulars
No.
A. Programme Cost:
1.
Construction of permanent Assam Type
Training cum Production shed of 40x20= 800
sq. ft. size with 40x8= 320 sq. ft veranda
a. Cost of construction
Rs. 3,48,000.00
b. Cost of Tools and Machineries
Rs.
97,200.00
c. Furniture and Fixtures
Rs.
33,560.00
2.
Training on Production:
Training to the 5 youths for production
purposes
3.
Organisation of Village Level
Seminars/Workshop/Meetings
a. One Seminar for the 21 JSVN Teachers + 4
others
b. Monthly Meetings with Women Group
4.
Awareness and Publicity
a. Development of Materials for Publicity and
Awareness
(Lump sum amount taken for printing of
Posters, Banners, Leaflet etc.)
5.
Marketing Promotion
(Lump sum amount taken for Traveling &
Conveyance)
Sub-Total (A)
B. Administrative Cost:
1.
Salary to Programme/Project Coordinator
@Rs. 4000/- p.m. x 12 months
2.
Printing and Stationary
@Rs. 300/- p.m x 12 months
3.
Traveling & Conveyance for
Programme/Project Coordinator
@Rs. 800/- p.m. x 12 months
4.
Audit and Utilisation Certificate Fees
5.

Unforeseen Expenses

Amount
(in Rs.)
4,78,760.00

20,090.00
26,750.00

15,000.00

12,000.00
5,52,600.00
48,000.00
3,600.00
9,600.00
2,500.00

3,000.00
Sub-Total (B)
66,700.00
Grand Total (A+B)
6,19,300.00
(Total Rupees Six Lakhs Ninteen Thousands Three Hundred) only

E1. BUDGET BREAK-UP OF TABLE-1:

Table-1 Sl. No. A1.a Construction of Training cum Production Shed:
Sl.No.
Particulars
Size
1.
Construction of permanent Assam Type Training
1120 sq. ft
cum Production shed of 40x20= 800 sq. ft. size
with 40x8= 320 sq. ft size veranda
@Rs. 300/- per sq. ft
2.
Electrification Cost (Lump sum)
3.
Cost of Water System (Lump sum)
Total Rs.
Table-1 Sl. No. A1.d Cost of Tools and Machineries:
Sl.No.
Particulars
1.
Wood Pulp Grinder 15 kg size
2.
Napkin Pulp Mould
- 4 nos. of napkin in a frame. Dimension
according to size of the napkin (7/9)
3.
Napkin Pulp Pressing Machine
- 4 nos. of napkin at a time in a frame
4.
Sealing Machine (one hand and one pedal)
Double Filament 400 mm
5.
Hand Screen Printing Frame for Resin
Application- screen frame size 2 ft x 1 ft
6.
AccessoriesScissors, Measuring Tape or Scale, Templates,
Buckets, Hand Gloves, Head Masks etc.
Table-1 Sl. No. A1.e Furnitures and Fixtures:
Sl.No.
Particulars
1.
Racks and Almirah
Size- 6.5x3x1.6
2.
Working Table- Size 6x4
3.
Office Table & Chairs
Table-1 Sl. No. A2 Training on Production:
Sl.No.
Particulars
1.
Food & Lodging Charges of 5 participants
@Rs. 150/- x 5 nos. x 15 days
2.
Honorarium to the RPs of RuTAG, IIT, Guwahati
@Rs. 500/- x 2 nos. x 7 days
3.
Food Charges of RPs for 7 days
@Rs. 60/- x 2 nos. x 7 days
4.
Training Materials for the Participants
@Rs. 100/- x 5 nos.
4.
Traveling Allowance to the Participants
@Rs. 100/- x 5 nos.
(Lump sum Rs. 100/- per participants)

Quantity
1 no.
5 sets

Amount
3,36,000.00

7,000.00
5,000.00
3,48,000.00
Amount
48,000.00
6,000.00

1 no.

24,000.00

2 nos.

10,800.00

1 no.

2,400.00

6,000.00

Total Rs.

97,200.00

Quantity
3 racks
1 Almirah
2 nos.
1+2
Total Rs.

Amount
16,560.00

Quantity
-

Amount
11,250.00

12,000.00
5000.00
33,560.00

7,000.00

840.00

500.00

500.00

Total Rs.

20,090.00

Table-1 Sl. No. A3.a Organisation of Seminar/Workshop/Meeting:

Sl.No.
Particulars
Quantity
1.
Organisation of One Seminar:
a. Honorarium to Resource Persons
4 nos.
@Rs. 500/- per person
b. Food and Lodging Charges of Participants (21
25 nos.
teachers + 4 others)
@Rs. 150/- per participant x 2 days= Rs. 300/c. Traveling & Conveyance to the Participants
25 nos.
@Rs. 150/- per participant (lump sum)
d. Workshop materials to the Participants
25 nos.
@Rs. 20/- per participant
e. Seminar/Workshop Hall Charges with Audio
2 days
Visual Equipments @Rs. 500/2.
Monthly Meetings with Women Group
1 each in
@Rs. 1000/- x 12 nos.
12 months
(Lump sum amount as organizing & refreshment
cost)
Total Rs.

Amount
2,000.00
7,500.00
3,750.00
500.00
1,000.00
12,000.00

26,750.00

Economics of Project:
A. Specification of Napkins:
Sl.
No.

Type of the Product

No. of
Pieces/
Packet
10

Length
(mm)
226

Napkin Over All Dimension

Width
Thickness
(mm)
(mm)
74
9.37

Weight
(gm)
14.520

1.

General 7 type

2.

General 7 type with

belt
7 with new cover &
pulp
7 with new cover &
pulp and belt
9 with new pulp

10

505

74

9.37

15.070

10

183

74

3.87

11.601

10

500

74

3.87

12.389

10

228

74

8.29

11.730

9 with new cover &

pulp
9 with new cover &
pulp and belt

10

220

74

5.30

13.314

10

505

74

5.30

13.864

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

B. Production Cost and Returns:

B.1 First 6 months: Production cost details involving 10 workers
Cost of Raw Materials for 100 pkts./day (10 pkts. per worker per day x 10 workers)
Particulars
Qty.
a. Wood pulp
15kg
b. Non-woven cover cloth
50 mtrs.
c. Polythene/pp impermeable sheet

Rate
@Rs. 32/-per kg.
@Rs. 12/- per mtr.

Amount
480.00
600.00
35.00

d. Belt/Sticker
e. Packing covers
f. Wages
g. Electricity, water & misc.

50.00
200.00
@Rs. 5/- per pkt.
500.00
@ 2%
37.30
----------------------------Rs. 1902.30

100 pkts.

Production Margin &

Sales Discount

15% + 15%

The cost of 100 pkts. including production cost and marginsThus, the sale price per packet will be -

570.69
----------------------------Total Rs.
2472.99
Say Rs.
2473.00

Rs. 2473.00 100 = 24.73

In 100 pkts. per day figure the total production per month will be 100 pkts x 25 days= 2500 pkts.
The sale price of 2500 pkts. will be
Rs. 24.73 x 2500 pkts = Rs. 61825.00
The sale price of 15000 pkts in 6 months will be - Rs. 24.73 x 15000 pkts= Rs. 370950.00
The production cost of 6 months will be Rs. 285345.00
The production margin will be Rs. 85609.50
B.2 Second 6 months: Production details involving 20 persons
The number production involving 10 persons in a month is 2500 pkts.
Thus, the number of production involving 20 persons goes double i.e. 5000 pkts. per month
The sale price of 5000 pkts will be - Rs. 24.73 x 5000 pkts. = Rs. 123650.00 per month
The sale price of 30000 pkts. in 6 months will be - Rs. 24.73 x 30000 pkts. = Rs. 741900.00
Thus, the production cost in next 6 months will be - Rs. 570690.00
The production margin will beRs. 171207.00
B.3 Second Year: Production details involving 20 persons
No. of packets in 2nd year will be 5000 pkts x 12 months = 60000 pkts.
Sale price of 60000 pkts will be -

Rs. 24.73 x 60000 pkts. = Rs. 1483800.00

The production cost will be The production margin will be -

Rs. 1141380.00
Rs. 342414.00

Thus, after self-sustenance of the proposed project and increase of working efficiency among the
workers approx. Rs. 335000.00 to 340000.00 could be expected in first few years. If production
could be enhanced and made smooth/regular with involvement of more workers in future then
returns will come more.
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