Masika Mahotsav marks menstrual hygiene day in Jamshedpur

Jamshedpur: In an effort to combat backwardness and promote education, health, and nutrition, the Nishchay Foundation organized a two-day Masika Mahotsav in the remote block of Gudabandha, East Singhbhum district. The event, held in the villages of Chaksol, Taraspur, and Singhpura of Singhpura Panchayat, aimed to raise awareness among parents and children about the importance of education and menstrual health.

Gudabandha, located approximately 90 kilometers from Jamshedpur and bordering Orissa, faces significant challenges in development and basic awareness. During the summer vacation when schools are closed, keeping children engaged in educational activities becomes a major challenge. The Masika Mahotsav served as a platform to address these issues and engage the community.

Tarun Kumar, founder of the Nishchay Foundation and known as Jharkhand’s Padman, emphasized the crucial role of education in overcoming the region’s backwardness. He urged parents to prioritize their children’s education, citing the inspiring story of Purnima Mahli, a Chaksol village student who, despite her father’s occupation as a laborer, completed her post-graduation and aspires to become a teacher.

The program also highlighted the need for better health and nutrition for children, advocating for an all-round development approach. Kumar addressed the stigma surrounding menstruation and emphasized the importance of menstrual hygiene for women’s health. Detailed discussions were held on good touch and bad touch, menstrual management tools, period tracking, related diseases, and debunking social myths associated with menstruation.

Around 70 children and women participated in the event, receiving environment-friendly sanitary pads and Menstrupedia comics along with awareness pamphlets. The sanitary pads were donated by Swanandi Rath of Jagriti Foundation, Pune, while the comics were provided by Farheen Naz of We the Change, New Delhi. Social worker Sudam Hembram of Gudabandha and Tribal Padman Baidyanath Hansda played key roles in the event’s success.

Looking ahead, Nishchay Foundation plans to organize continuous workshops in the high schools of Gudabandha and Dumria post-summer vacations, focusing on education, health, and gender awareness among adolescents. Interested parties can contact 9470381724 for more information on organizing workshops.

The Masika Mahotsav, held during World Menstrual Hygiene Week, underscores the ongoing efforts to promote education and health in one of Jharkhand’s most remote regions, aiming to foster a brighter and more informed future for its residents.