"Addressing a class seemed to be the most strenuous part of the job, for speaking is something I always ran away from. Initially, my nerves would freeze while talking and as a result I started mugging up all that I had to deliver in the session. However, with time I gradually learnt the tactics to ploy the appropriate words situationally. For instance, I figured how to cheer up people when they appeared bored or how to inspire the audience when the topic turned out too brazen for them to handle. Being a shy and introvert person myself, I could completely empathize with the girls sitting opposite to me. It constantly made me realize that IF today they see me talking, tomorrow somebody some where might put a step forward and tell others that having periods is as natural as breathing . This project has probably aided the biggest metamorphosis I ever went through in my life. " -Saheli
"Button ka bahot sare fayde hai, pad chaddhi mein fix ho jati hai (Buttons have a lot of advantages, it helps the napkin to stay fixed to the underwear). These innocuous words had certainly made a devil out me at some point (especially when coming out from the mouth of a male) , but I still did not refrain from using it. It was important for women to understand the advantages of our home made pads and why it was at par with the pads available in the market yet did not cost even half it's price." - Shubham
"I distinctly remember the girl who could barely stand due to nervousness when asked to read out from the menstruation cycle chart. She was struggling with words such as yoni or vagina and fumbling under her breath. These moments spoke a lot about the discomfort we have with our body and the amount of shame that is attributed to these words, commonly for girls. A lot of the ice breaking activities needed me to shed off my inhibitions as well which of course required me to take lessons." _ Saheli
" Well, firstly being a male and talking about menstruation is difficult not only in rural/tribal India but also in the urban cities. I grew up listening to yeh ladkiyo ka mamla hai tujhe janne ki zarurat nahi hai (these are women's business which you do not need to bother about), even though I had two sisters in my house. I chose this topic because until and unless the male members of our society start taking this as a normal phenomenon women will not be able to come out of their discomfort. I tried to role model the fact that even boys need to know about menstruation since they are unknowingly espousing the taboos. Women are not allowed to touch utensils and food while they are on periods because they are considered impure during this time and half the section of the society do not consider it an issue worth paying heed to. This is due to sheer lack of education and awareness for, once you know the science behind it you are bound to question the myths, that is what happened to me as well." - Shubham
