There should be no shame. Period.

Yes, it's about that time of the month. [View this email in your browser]( Nearly 48 per cent of India’s 1.35 billion population is female. The female pronoun ‘her’ is used to refer to the nation, which is often revered as the ‘motherland.’ Indians, however, have mastered the art of compartmentalisation. We can respect women on the one hand, but shame womanhood just as easily on the other. The stigmatisation of menstruation is one such anomaly of our species. What is it about a menstruating woman, blood (and not blue ink as shown in commercials) or the wrapper of a sanitary pad that can embarrass even the most well-bred among us? A woman barely has to ask for a napkin at a dispensary, when the shopkeeper feels the burden of collective shame in handing her a pack, quickly wrapping it in black or brown paper, lest anyone catch a glimpse and woe beget us all. Most of us distinctly remember how our co-ed schools suddenly became gender-specific, with boys and girls sitting in separate classes, during that one science class on reproduction. While every other topic merited repetitions of “any questions?” from the teacher, this one was rushed through. If you braved the ridicule of your classmates and mustered the courage to actually ask a question, the teacher shushed you. What if we changed the narrative? What if we allowed young men to ask questions about menstruation and young women to discuss their experiences? Would that be so unthinkable? [This Bareilly man]( thinks that it’s more than possible. Growing up as a curious boy, he asked his mother, Sunita, numerous questions about this phenomenon. Unlike most, she sat down the adolescent boy, and addressed all his queries, clearly and patiently. By the time he grew older, he was courageous enough to start a small movement in his vicinity. Today, through his PadBank, Chitransh Saxena helps make menstrual hygiene accessible to women in Uttar Pradesh’s urban and rural slums! All because his mother did not perpetuate the stigma. Through the simple patience of encouraging his curiosity, she not only informed him of a natural occurrence but also kindled his empathy. An act that helped him and countless other women. [Read the story here]( to know more about his movement. And while you’re at it, sow the seeds of your own small movement. Don’t hide the sanitary pad in your groceries, if you’d rather not. When asked, tell your boss that your sick leave was because of period cramps. Be the confident man who can walk into a medical shop and buy a menstrual hygiene product when a woman needs it. Don't be shy to say the word. Period. - Shruti Singhal [Read Here]( Product Of The Day These stainless steel straws are a great alternative to regular plastic and paper straws. They are reusable and easy to clean and carry on your next trip or picnic. Keep one in your bag or in your bike for the next time you want to fuel up on nariyal paani or a smoothie. [Buy Now]( Recommended Reads Magnetic Shirt to Cooling Helmet: 2000+ Kids From Low-Income Schools Turn Innovators! [Read More]( Odisha Teen Builds Biodegradable Mobile Cover That Protects Users From Radiation! [Read More]( Ex-DRDO B’luru Man Has Saved 60,000 Litres of Water, Planted 6,000 Trees! [Read More]( Bullied, Bodyshamed as a Teen: Meet Plus-Size Model & Belly Dancer, Anjana Bapat [Read More]( Video of The Day [3 Failed Attempts, 1 Gold For India]( Winning over social media, 'Golden Girl' Manali Manoj Shelke shows us the spirit of a true athlete - - she failed thrice but didn't give up till she bagged the top spot. You go, girl! [Watch here.]( Copyright © 2019 The Better India, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](.