Women empowerment, Women in politics, Women in development, Women moving forward, Women working, Women in... oh wait, Period. You cannot possibly work when you are menstruating, can you? Sacrilege. Because it is embarrassing, unhygienic, gross and impairs judgement, spoils team morale, affects productivity and almost certainly will blemish the good name of the company you would work in.

Because the good, rational people at Asma Rubber Products Private Limited, Kochi seem to think it was indeed a grievous sin when a sanitary pad was found in the factory's washroom. Smart, aren't they?

Like a 'Welcome to the 21st Century' present.

Add Kerala, a progressive state with the highest literary rate in India, to sensitive issues like menstruation, periods, sanitary napkins and hygiene, you would expect some rationality. But no.