The stigma around menstruation continues in many parts of the country but one Indian father is aiming to change that with his gesture. Jitendra Bhatt, a music teacher from Uttarakhand hosted a celebration in honour of his daughter, Ragini's first period in the presence of family and friends. From a room decked up with balloons to a cake-cutting ceremony, this party was a celebration we could all learn a lesson from. In conversation with a leading publication, the music teacher says "When I was young, I did not know much about it. As I grew older, I noticed that women and girls were looked down upon for having periods or even talking about it. If a woman touches anything at this time, then it is considered impure. I thought of celebrating my daughter's first period to remove all these misconceptions. It is not a disease of impurity or untouchability but a day of happiness." A day of happiness proven not just for the family but quite evidently for Ragini herself as she poses with her near and dear ones.
Periods are natural and are often a difficult change (for some) in a girl's growing life. A girl's first period can be confusing and overwhelming but nothing, a little support from family and friends can't help ease her into the process. Many locals congratulated the girl and her family on the post, while another relative commented , "a great initiative taken by our Jitendra Bhatt Bhaiya which will spread an awareness message in many people and everyone should also be aware"
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A girl's first period marks her coming of age and many regions in India embrace the girl child's first period as a sacramental moment for the family. Across parts of South India, Odisha Assam, celebratory rituals are observed which include a ceremonial bath and gifts like sarees and jewellery to the girl child. A half-saree ritual, for instance, is often celebrated like a wedding function once a girl reaches puberty or to be more specific once she enters her first menstruation cycle.
Recently, South Indian star Mahesh Babu's daughter, Sitara, celebrated her 11th birthday and to mark the moment a leading jewellery brand published an advert featuring the young girl picking jewellery for the half-saree ritual observed in parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Sitara in the advert prepping her for the half-saree ritual
As Jitendra Bhatt mentioned earlier, many parts of India still consider menstruation a taboo. Misconceptions associated with menstruation range from it being considered a disease to women being treated as untouchables while they have their periods, but the baby steps taken by those like Jitendra, among others, serve as awareness to the unversed and a reminder to others that periods can be both an emotional ride and a cause for celebration.
Sources: India Today
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