#Anita

Star Citizens

Trailblazing Leadership: Dr. Vijayalakshmi's Impact through NSS

Dr. Gangireddy Vijayalakshmi, a National Service Scheme (NSS) program officer at SKR and SKR Government Degree College in Kadapa, has been a driving force in inspiring students to embrace leadership and humanitarian qualities through community service. Born on February 6, 1973, in Nagulapalle village, Dr. Vijayalakshmi has dedicated seven years to the NSS program, motivating students to engage in various service initiatives. With a passion for service activities that ignited during her own schooling under the NSS, Dr. Vijayalakshmi advocates for plantation drives, cleanliness, blood donation camps, and community service. She fosters awareness on important issues such as HIV, TB, breast cancer, girl child protection, and child trafficking through campaigns and medical camps organized by the NSS unit. Under her guidance, NSS volunteers have made significant achievements. N Vandana, a student from her college, participated in the Republic Day parade in Gujarat, earning appreciation from the President of India. She stands as the first student from the NSS unit of Kadapa to achieve this honor. Additionally, G Navya Sri and N Vandana, under Dr. Vijayalakshmi's guidance, received awards at the University-level for their exemplary services. Dr. Vijayalakshmi has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to NSS, receiving the Best NSS Programme Officer award at the State-level in 2021-22. She also earned recognition from the Medical and Health Department for organizing the Red Ribbon Club. As the convenor for Anti-Ragging and the Red Ribbon Club, and a member of the Indian Red Cross Society, Kadapa unit, she continues to make a significant impact in her community. Reflecting on her inspiration, Dr. Vijayalakshmi highlights how NSS activities during her schooling instilled a habit of serving people in need and developing social relations. Her dedication and passion for community service have inspired countless students to become active participants in creating a better society.

9 Dec 2023

Star Citizens

Women in Warangal Turn Entrepreneurs with 'She Care' Pads

In a remarkable display of empowerment and entrepreneurship, women in Konaimakula village, Warangal district, have established a thriving industry by manufacturing sanitary napkins. N Subhashini, G Komalatha, and K Rama spearheaded this initiative, transforming it from a small project into a full-fledged manufacturing unit. Securing a loan through the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEG), the trio invested Rs 15 lakh to set up their own sanitary napkin production facility. With the funds, they acquired the necessary machinery and raw materials, leading to the creation of their product called 'She Care.' The sanitary pads received positive feedback from neighboring villages, establishing its credibility and quality. The inspiration behind their venture arose from observing women and young girls in remote rural areas resorting to using cloth during menstruation due to financial constraints and a lack of awareness about hygiene. This practice not only led to severe health complications but also forced many girls to drop out of school. Determined to make a change, the women took it upon themselves to produce high-quality sanitary pads and bring them to the market. The 'She Care' sanitary pads are competitively priced at Rs 36 per pack of six pads in the retail market and Rs 33 for bulk orders from surrounding villages. The entrepreneurs have also been actively promoting awareness against the use of cloth during menstruation in schools and hostels, highlighting the associated health risks and advocating for the use of their sanitary pads. The women behind 'She Care' are now urging the government to provide hygienic kits to girls in government schools and have expressed their willingness to supply sanitary napkins for distribution. Their inspiring journey demonstrates the potential for women to break barriers, drive change, and become successful entrepreneurs in their communities.

5 Oct 2023

Star Citizens

Maharashtra's Padwoman: Woman Officer Takes Initiative to Make Sanitary Napkins Easily Available at PDS Shops

In a bid to address the lack of access to sanitary napkins among women, Vandana Georaikar, a deputy collector at the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) in Maharashtra, has taken up the challenge to make these essential hygiene products easily available. Georaikar aims to combat the prevailing stigma associated with menstruation and promote better menstrual health practices among women, particularly in rural areas. According to Georaikar, only a small percentage of women in India, particularly in rural areas, use sanitary napkins. This lack of awareness and access to hygienic sanitary products has serious health implications, with a significant number of women facing health issues during their menstrual cycles. A staggering number of women in India succumb to uterine cancer each year, with a majority of cases attributed to the lack of awareness and unhygienic practices. To address this pressing issue, Georaikar proposed a government policy to ensure the regular and easy availability of sanitary napkins. She collaborated with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Hasan Mushriff, the former rural development minister, to discuss the implementation of this policy. Their plan involved leveraging the government-aided public distribution system (PDS) shops, which already serve as a hub for essential commodities, to distribute sanitary pads. Georaikar's efforts received support from various NGOs and business associates who helped in distributing sanitary pads in designated areas. However, she emphasizes the need for a sustainable solution that ensures women have regular access to these essential products. By advocating for a government policy and leveraging existing distribution networks, Vandana Georaikar is determined to make a significant impact on the lives of women in Maharashtra, promoting better menstrual health and hygiene practices and reducing the health risks associated with inadequate menstrual care.

3 Sep 2023

Star Citizens

Breaking Taboos and Empowering Women: Bareilly School Teacher Launches 'Sanitary Pad Bank' to Promote Menstrual Hygiene

In a remarkable initiative to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene, a primary school teacher in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, has established a "pad bank" at her school. Rakhi Gangwar, the driving force behind this noble cause, aims to provide adolescent girls and women in the village with access to sanitary pads and educate them about proper menstrual hygiene practices. Gangwar's efforts have yielded positive results, as the pad bank at the government primary school in Boria village, Bhadpura block, continues to attract an increasing number of women every day. The initiative was launched on Mother's Day, May 15, after Gangwar discovered that many women in the village lacked awareness of menstrual hygiene and relied on unsanitary alternatives. Taking matters into her own hands, Gangwar personally invited mothers and women from the village to her school, where she emphasized the significance of health and hygiene, encapsulated by the tagline "Hamari Kishori, Hamari Shakti" (Our teenage girls are our strength). Using her own funds, she purchased sanitary pads and distributed them to the women. Gangwar's campaign has garnered support from the school staff, principal, and even male teachers from other schools who have joined her cause. Additionally, she arranges video consultations with doctors for women who require medical assistance. The impact of her efforts is evident, with 100-150 women now visiting the pad bank each month, and the numbers continue to rise. Gangwar's relentless dedication and the success of the pad bank have inspired more individuals to join the campaign. A sanitary pad company has even offered free pads to support this noble cause. With each passing day, the pad bank becomes a symbol of empowerment for women and a beacon of hope for improved menstrual hygiene in the community.

15 Aug 2023

Star Citizens

A Lady Police Inspector From Haryana Is Gearing Up To Scale Mount Everest for the Fourth Time!

Haryana police inspector Anita Kundu is scaling new heights, literally. She has already reached the summit of Mount Everest thrice and now is preparing to climb it again in 2023. Life was not easy for Kundu who lost her father when she was only 12. To earn and look after her two sisters and brother, she would go along with her mother to sell milk. Though she lost her father at a tender age, his words of motivation would always come to her mind. Kundu recalls that her father always wanted her to be a top sportsperson. Growing up, she faced numerous hardships, but she faced all challenges bravely. Although her father wanted her to be a boxer, she developed an interest in adventure sports. When Kundu first joined the police service in 2008, she told her senior officers that she wanted to be a mountaineer. She took intensive training for it and enrolled herself in expert mountain climbing training. The 33-year-old inspector said that she scaled Mount Everest for the first time in 2013 from the Nepal side. In 2015 she set out to climb it again but had to return midway due to an earthquake that struck that region. In 2017, she reached the summit from the China side, and as a leader of an expedition, she reached the summit again in 2019. Kundu, who two years ago won the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, claimed to have ascended peaks on other continents. She received the honor in appreciation of her unrivaled commitment to outdoor activities.

1 Jan 2023

Star Citizens

Know More About This Responsible Citizen Who Strives Hard to Make India Open Defecation Free

It is a matter of concern that over 2.3 billion people in the world do not have access to basic sanitation facilities. In India alone, there are over 600 million people who lack toilet facilities. For many years, NGOs and governments have been trying to combat this issue of lack of sanitation facilities and they have achieved little success. Therefore, it is commendable that Mayank Midha understood the need of the society and devised smart toilets in his effort to make India open defecation free. Smart Electronic Toilets Mayank Midha along with his wife founded Garv Toilets for public use. These smart toilets are IoT enabled and are integrated with solar panels, battery packs, auto flush, floor cleaning technology, and biodigester tanks. These toilets come are designed in Indian and western style making it disabled-friendly. The entire structure of toilet is made of stainless steel and the best part is that it is portable and vandal proof. Toilets Are Eco-friendly And Efficient According to Mayank, Garv Toilets do not use electricity and is dependent on renewable source of energy. Thus his endeavour has helped reduce 102.4 tonnes of CO2 annually. While conventional toilets use five to six litres of water, Garv toilets use only two litres of water or less thus saving natural resources. The entire structure of a toilet takes only a couple of hours to set up. Mayank’s noble mission is a big success as more than 18000 students are now using Garv toilets in school premises in Bihar and Delhi. The drop out rates of students has decreased substantially due to the availability of proper sanitation facilities. The Uttar Pradesh government has also placed an order for Garv toilets under the Swachch Bharat Mission. Image Source: Villgro

21 Oct 2019

Star Citizens

This Doctor Is Like God for the People of the Impoverished and Remote Odisha District

Odisha’s Malkangiri district has many villages that are almost impossible to access due to the absence of any mode of transport. This district which comprises of 50 remote villages, several inaccessible tribal hamlets, and two residential schools at Badadural and Markapadar is also one of the worst affected by Maoist violence. People in Malkangiri do not have even basic health care facilities. However, they are very fortunate to have a dedicated and helpful doctor whom they all can fall back on in the event of any illness and emergency. Shakti Prasad Mishra is an Ayurvedic physician who has been serving marginalized tribal communities under a Union government project since 2012. Every morning, the doctor and his team start on their arduous journey to any one village. Sometimes he has to walk many kilometers and trek hills to visit his patients. He says that the smiles on the faces of the patients eagerly waiting for him make him forget the sweat and stress that he had taken to reach them. Dr. Mishra’s ‘clinic’ is the only clinic in the entire remote district of Malkangiri and the doctor is the only hope for health and sanitation in Khairaput block, where even mobile phones go dead. Mishra treats over a thousand patients each month. He also makes the villages aware of health and sanitation matters. He treats common diseases, distributes medicines and conducts timely check-ups of pregnant women and children. Dr. Mishra also has a team that helps to transport patients to hospitals in cases of emergency. He distributes allopathic medicines using the basic diagnostic skills learned during his BAMS course. There is no doubt that this doctor is the most indispensable person in the district of Malkangiri. Image Source: The Hindu

1 Oct 2019

Star Citizens

Global News

Israel-Hamas War- Recognizing the Helping Hands : Which countries have sent aid To Gaza so far?

Over the weekend, Gaza received two aid shipments, the first since Israel began bombing the Palestinian enclave following a deadly attack by Hamas on October 7. The 2.3 million residents of the besieged enclave are in desperate need of humanitarian aid since Israel cut off supplies of food, fuel, and electricity before beginning a bombing campaign. Due to the constant bombardment, over 4,600 Palestinians—more than one-third of whom were children—have died. Israel claims to be pursuing Hamas fighters responsible for the October 7 attack in southern Israel that claimed the lives of over 1,400 people. What is known about the supplies of humanitarian aid going to Gaza is as follows: Which nations have given Gaza aid? El Arish International Airport in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt has received at least eight planes carrying relief supplies from Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, and Tunisia. On Sunday, India dispatched medical supplies and disaster relief to El Arish. 16 tons of supplies for Gaza have been sent by Rwanda. In addition to establishing an air bridge, the European Union has increased its aid to the region threefold. On the other hand, in reaction to the Hamas attacks, a number of EU nations, including Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, have temporarily stopped providing aid to Gaza. To date, how many trucks have entered Gaza? Twenty trucks made up the first convoy that entered Gaza on Saturday from Egypt; the second convoy arrived the following day. Approximately 3,000 tonnes of aid are loaded onto more than 200 trucks that are stationed close to the Egyptian border, awaiting permission from Israel to enter Gaza. UNICEF representative in Egypt, Jeremy Hopkins, stated that "at least 100, 200 trucks going in per day" are needed to meet the needs of the people in Gaza. In addition to the thousands of people in need of food and other basics, over a million people have been displaced and tens of thousands have sustained injuries that require immediate medical attention. Gaza : What else are they preaching to Get help with ? They definitely Require more assistance : According to the UN humanitarian office, the amount of aid that has been delivered thus far only makes up 4% of the daily average required prior to the hostilities and a small portion of what is currently required as supplies of food, water, medicine, and fuel run low.Relief organizations claim that fuel, which is essential, is missing from the supplies shipped to Gaza.The sole cancer hospital in Gaza has issued a warning to its medical staff that they are running dangerously low on fuel and may have to close. What if, as is inevitable, this war ends with a comprehensive resolution to the long-running conflict between the Israeli and Palestinian people, rather than with a cease-fire or truce, as has happened in previous wars with Hamas?It is difficult to see anything positive emerging from a conflict this destructive, particularly for those of us watching its brutal prosecution from Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Despite how horrible things are, I feel obliged to hold back from giving up. Even though I might be clinging to hope, I feel obligated to look for any reason to be hopeful.

20 Nov 2023

Global News

Good News

How One State is Transforming Menstrual Hygiene into a Fundamental Right

In a groundbreaking move, the Kerala Government has recognized menstrual hygiene as a fundamental right for girls and has taken a crucial step towards ensuring their well-being. The government has announced plans to install sanitary napkin vending machines in all government schools across the state, aiming to empower girls, shatter taboos, and promote better health. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan enthusiastically shared the news on Twitter, expressing the government's commitment to this significant initiative. "Reaffirming menstrual hygiene as a fundamental right for girls, the State Government has decided to install sanitary napkin vending machines in all schools across Kerala. This project aims to break taboos...and empower our girls to soar with confidence!" the CM tweeted. The focus on menstrual hygiene doesn't stop there. The Higher Education Department has also made strides by introducing menstrual leave for students in all state universities. This progressive decision was initially implemented by the Cochin University of Science and Technology and has since been embraced by other universities. Furthermore, Labour India Public School, a private institution in Kerala, has followed suit by granting menstrual leave for its students. The Kerala Government's comprehensive approach to menstrual hygiene underscores its commitment to the well-being and empowerment of girls. By tackling taboos head-on and providing essential resources, the government is paving the way for a more inclusive and healthier society. This progressive step sets an inspiring precedent for other regions to follow, emphasizing the importance of addressing menstrual hygiene as a fundamental right for all girls.

19 May 2023

Good News

SpiceJet Takes Flight for Humanity: Joins India's Evacuation Efforts from Sudan

SpiceJet, one of India’s major airlines, has joined the Indian government’s efforts to bring back stranded Indians from violence-hit Sudan under ‘Operation Kaveri’. The airline successfully operated its first evacuation flight from Jeddah to Kochi on April 30, 2023, bringing back 184 Indian nationals who were stuck in Sudan. Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of SpiceJet, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the evacuation mission. He affirmed the airline’s commitment to supporting the Indian government in its mission to safeguard its citizens and ensure their safe return home. SpiceJet is in close communication with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to coordinate further evacuation efforts. The airline plans to operate more such flights from Saudi Arabia to different cities in India. SpiceJet is well-connected to Saudi Arabia and operates daily flights from Jeddah to Calicut, Delhi, and Mumbai, as well as from Riyadh to Delhi. Since the launch of ‘Operation Kaveri’, India has been taking its citizens from conflict zones in Sudan to Port Sudan in buses, from where they are being transported to Jeddah by the Indian Air Force's heavy-lift transport aircraft and Indian Navy's ships. From Jeddah, they are brought back home in either commercial flights or IAF's aircraft. The total number of Indians who have been brought back home now stands at 2,140, according to official data. SpiceJet’s contribution to ‘Operation Kaveri’ is a reflection of the airline’s commitment to social responsibility and humanitarian efforts. It also highlights the crucial role of airlines in times of crisis, not only for commercial purposes but also for humanitarian aid.

2 May 2023

Good News

Millions of Girls to Benefit From Government’s Scheme of Providing Sanitary Napkins at Just One Rupee

As per reports, around 28 million girls discontinue their education due to lack of availability of good quality Sanitary Napkin pads at a reasonable cost. To resolve this issue, the government will fulfil its poll promise of making sanitary napkins available throughout the country at just one rupee. Bio-Degradable Sanitary Napkin In 2018, the government had introduced the ‘Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin’ costing Rs 2.50 per pad. Now, to increase its affordability, the price has been further lowered to Re 1. The pads are made with a special additive, which when discarded, becomes biodegradable on coming in contact with oxygen. The pads will be available at 5,500 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country. Mobile App The government has also set up Kendras, under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme to provide affordable healthcare to all Indians and give them access to cheap generic drugs. To facilitate this, a mobile app has also been launched that help people to locate nearby kendras, search available generic medicines, compare rates among many other uses. This app will be available on both Android & iOS platforms. These affordable initiatives of the government will certainly help to improve the well being of women to a great extent. Image Source: Daily Excelsior

28 Aug 2019

Good News

IIT Students Developed a Device Which Can Clean Sanitary Napkins and Reduces Biomedical Waste

Recently we spoke about how nine students from IIT Madras came up with a smart bin to manage waste while we also highlighted iSAFE a 24x7 Pan-India roadside assistance platform launched by IIT Delhi students. And now we have learned that two students from IIT Bombay and IIT Goa have come up with a great invention. They have developed a device to clean reusable sanitary napkins in order to curb down biomedical waste. A Device to Make a Difference The device created by Aishwarya Agarwal from IIT Bombay and Devyani Maladkar from IIT Goa is called Cleanse Right which will be priced at Rs 1,500. It does not require any electricity for its functionality it rather has a pedal-operated plunger which will go upside down in a water-filled chamber. While talking about how it will function, Devyani told PTI, "The plungers squeeze out menstrual blood from cloth pads while rinsing them with water. The device is designed to be inexpensive. It can also be used to wash other hygiene concerned garments like baby clothes.” Devyani and Aishwarya have already filed a patent for the device. They showcased their product in an annual summer programme at IIT Gandhinagar called “Invent@IITGN. Menstruation is still a taboo in our country but, the world is changing now. It’s good to see youngsters like Devyani and Aishwarya coming up with an incredible device which can actually reduce the amount of disposable sanitary napkins that lands up in the waste grounds. They are true inspirations for the present and upcoming generation.

30 Jul 2019

Good News

Meet Vaijanath Dhondiba Gaikwad Who Has Zero Tolerance Towards Littering

Would you dare to litter if someone finds out that you have been strewing the roads and fine you for the same? Well! Beware of the assistant sanitary inspector, Vaijanath Dhondiba Gaikwad if you stay at Kothrud, Pune. He can catch hold of you through the garbage that you have littered. Vaijanath Dives into the Trash to Find Out Clues Regarding the Sloven The 48-year-old mukadam from Kothrud-Bavdhan ward office of PMC has zero-tolerance when it comes to strewing garbage. He gets into the trash and finds out clues regarding the ones who have littered in order to catch them. Online shopping packages, electricity bills, food delivery packages, bank statements, visiting cards and similar kind of trash are enough for Vaijanath to reach out to the sloven. It gets easy for him to find out their names through such wastes. Until now he has caught 17 people and 8 housing societies as reported by Pune Mirror. Vaijanath knows most of the old residents in the area but, whenever he comes across a new name, his heart tells him that it must be some tenant. Tracing the person becomes easier for him with the help of realty agents and his informers. The Initiative is Keeping the Area Free of Garbage The assistant sanitary inspector does not hesitate to knock on the culprit’s door after acquiring all the clues. While talking about his great deed with Pune Mirror, he said: “I don’t get into any scuffle with errant citizens as they are not hardened criminals. The evidence I furnish is irrefutable and they simply have to accept their wrong-doing. Many actually spare a word of appreciation for my effort in finding them. They cough up the fine without much protest. I leave after urging them to desist from repeating the offence.” People residing in the area now think twice before carelessly dumping trash which is only benefitting the environment. Wish each and every citizen of this country had zero tolerance towards littering. The roads would have looked spick and span then. Image Courtesy: Pune Mirror

27 Jul 2019

Good News