In India, menstruation and puberty have always remained taboo subjects, which were hushed in corners and avoided in classrooms, especially during biology class but now these are being discussed over pages of colorfully illustrated comics, thanks to Menstrupedia
This Gujarat-based startup spread its wings in 2013 with a simple idea to reshape how India talks about menstruation, one comic book at a time. With colorful illustrations and captivating characters like Pinki, Gulu, Adi, and Anku, it is educating young girls and boys about periods, puberty, good and bad touch, not with fear, but with curiosity and confidence.
Menstrupedia: The Journey & Challenges
In a country where menstruation is a forbidden subject, Menstrupedia’s early journey mirrored the very taboo it aimed to break — met with discomfort, dismissal, and disbelief. The startup ecosystem saw it as naive, unscalable, and “not a real business.” Investors and mentors, mostly men unfamiliar with the depth of the taboo, scoffed at the idea.
What was more challenging was that they received the criticism not from the outside, but from the mentors who were supposed to guide them.
But the idea set sail with full conviction, and today, it has blossomed into a series of beautifully illustrated comic books, workshops, and animated videos.
Menstrupedia has created engaging educational tools that have reached far and wide. Today, their materials are used by over 25,500 schools, along with hundreds of NGOs, corporates, and government bodies across India, and in several countries around the world.
About the Founders
The founder-duo, Aditi Gupta and Tuhin Paul are National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad graduates, and are both passionate and creative.
Aditi has been doing a tremendous job as a Menstrual Educator for over 12 years. She is also a renowned TEDx speaker and has been listed in the BBC’s 100 most influential women in 2015. She is also a Forbes India 30 Under 30 achiever and Shark Tank India winner founder.
Tuhin, on the other hand, is an artist and storyteller, also the face behind all the interesting illustrations in the comic books. He has been with Menstrupedia since the very beginning and makes sure that the visitors have a memorable experience.
Expanding Footprints Across India and Beyond
The startup once faced serious rejection is now expanding its footprints not only at national, but also at global front. Having partnerships with state governments like Punjab, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh, the platform is also leading CSR initiatives for companies such as ITC Limited, JSW, Biocon, and Reliance Foundation.
Beyond books, Menstrupedia runs masterclasses for educators in all Indian languages, ensuring trainers are not only equipped to teach about menstruation but also empowered as changemakers. These sessions cover everything from building and scaling impact-driven ventures to designing effective menstrual health programs — and have drawn participants from 25 countries worldwide.
Menstrupedia’s impact stretches far beyond India’s borders. Its comic books are now sold in nine countries, including Nepal, Uruguay, and Hungary — a testament to the universal need for accessible, respectful menstrual education. What made it work? A non-threatening, culturally sensitive approach that made even the most uncomfortable topic feel safe and relatable.
In a world where silence around menstruation has done more harm than good, Menstrupedia stands as proof that change is possible — when you blend creativity with compassion, and storytelling with purpose.
Because periods aren’t shameful. They’re powerful.
And it’s time we talked about them like we mean it.
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