Following the huge success of last year's Period Fest, Sacchi Saheli has arranged the Period Fest, or Mahavari Mela, in Meerut on May 16, 2024, with the help of the Meerut administration and the SBI Foundation. Sacchi Saheli, a Delhi-based organisation that has been running for ten years, staged this Mahavari Mela with support from the SBI Foundation and in partnership with the Meerut administration. Sacchi Saheli's effort received media support from Jagran New Media's health website, 'OnlyMyHealth'.
Event Pad Yatra
The event began with a "Pad Yatra" from Tejgarhi Circle, a rally in which around 1,500 students and 100 teachers participated. The team from Sacchi Saheli and all participants marched down the road, chanting slogans to convey the message that instead of talking about menstruation in hushed tones, we should speak openly about it. Everyone loudly chanted slogans like "Hum Bolenge Muh Kholege, Tabhi Zamana Badlega" (We will speak out, only then will the world change). The aim of this Pad Yatra was to break the negativity and myths surrounding menstruation and to communicate that menstruation is a normal physical process and nothing to be ashamed of.
International Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated worldwide on May 28, and Sacchi Saheli celebrated it on May 16 in collaboration with the Meerut administration, government school students, and teachers. This year's program was held under the theme #PeriodFriendlyWorld, highlighting that not only girls but also boys participated enthusiastically, initiating the movement to make Meerut period-friendly.
Following the "Pad Yatra," the Period Fest activities were conducted at Chaudhary Charan Singh University, where various educational and cultural programs were organized to promote menstrual health awareness and hygiene practices.
The Mahavari Mela featured several stalls for children's entertainment, where they participated with great enthusiasm. A special fun zone was created for the children, where they used games to dispel myths related to menstruation. Additionally, information on menstruation and adolescence was provided at the Pad Zone and Sacchi Saheli stalls.
Splendid Performance Of Vibhor Group
The "Vibhor" group gave a splendid performance, and school children captivated the audience with their artistic displays. Dr Surbhi Singh, founder of the Sacchi Saheli NGO, inspired the children to overcome their shame and fear regarding menstruation, encouraging them to banish the stigma and let the truth be known.
Also read: Menstruation Diet: Expert Explains Impact Of Cold Food On Your Body During Periods
Chief Development Officer Nupur Goyal praised Sacchi Saheli's efforts and emphasised the importance of discussing this issue. Professor Sangeeta Shukla, Vice Chairman of Chaudhary Charan Singh University, highlighted the significance of education as power. The unique approach of Sacchi Saheli and the SBI Foundation in celebrating Menstrual Hygiene Day suggests that there is hope for a significant change in perceptions about menstruation in Meerut.