THE TABOO OF MENSTRUATION IN INDIA- IS THERE AN OUT?

It's 2019

And millions of Indian women are still subjected to toxic menstrual practices. 

FACTS: 

1. Only 15 percent of women in India have access to sanitary napkins. The remaining population relies on clothes, rags, leaves, and newspapers as absorbents.
2. 66% of girls don’t even know about menstruation when they first start their period.
3. Approximately 23% of adolescent girls drop out of school when they start menstruating and those who don’t usually miss up to 5 days of school every month.

While living a normal life during ‘that time of the month’ is quite normal for women like you and me in urban areas, let’s admit that there’s still some whispering, hushing and hiding. Unfortunately, for women living in rural areas, these days also come along with alienation and shame.
Many rituals in India celebrate first menses and consider it as a gift. However, this very ‘gift’ of being able to reproduce stems unrealistic customs. 

The taboos associated with menstruation in India come as innately as menstruation comes to women. The general silence around the subject adds to the difficulty of the situation. Young girls are not educated about the science behind this biological process and nor are they provided with an environment that allows them to talk freely about their problems. There are still instances where women are not allowed to perform certain tasks and are expected to behave in a certain manner when going through their monthly cycle. The idea of being ‘impure’ during menses is ingrained so deeply in some women that they themselves refrain from performing certain activities.

Over 70 percent of women who face problems related to reproductive health were found to be practicing unhygienic menstrual practices. And even though some of them have access to safer products, they prefer using the same old methods. This entire cycle of silence, taboos, and orthodoxy keep pushing women and young girls towards greater health risks.

However, the picture is not all dark. Women are slowly raising their voices, protesting against ignorant rituals. The mainstream cinema is also portraying these voices. The government is prioritizing female health and hygiene. Be it the removal of taxes that were applicable on sanitary napkins, or making them available at lower or zero costs in the rural parts of the country, efforts are being made to improve the access to better sanitation. And the best part? The younger generation is not accepting things the way they are. Young girls and boys no longer shy away from the topic or shun its importance. They proudly declare that if they were subjected to or have witnessed any kind of differential treatment given to women during their menses, they would make sure that they would never behave the same.

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NIPAH VIRUS: WHY IS IT SO DEADLY?

The state of Kerala is in a state of daze and panic as it faces the outbreak of Nipah virus in some of its districts again. And even though the state government has been quick to respond, there is still time for us to breathe a sigh of relief as it has not been contained completely.  So what is this virus exactly and why is it considered to be so dangerous?

What is Nipah virus?

Named after Kampung Sungai Nipah, the place at which it was said to be originated in Malaysia, 1998, Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease (a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans) that is naturally hosted by fruit bats. Fruit bats are considered as a reservoir of diseases as they carry 60 different types of viruses and also cause diseases like Ebola and Zika. Since fruit bats can only be found in warm regions, the outbreak of Nipah is largely restricted to such places like Malaysia, Bangladesh, and India.

How is Nipah virus transmitted?

Nipah Virus can be transmitted to humans via direct contact or via the transmission of body fluids.

Source: Practo

As the chart shows, one can get infected by the Nipah virus by being in direct contact with the bats, eating fruits bitten by bats affected by the same or by eating the animals who have consumed such fruits. It can also spread by being in direct contact with a person infected by the virus.

What are the symptoms of Nipah virus?

NiV can spread inside the human body without any significant symptoms until a period of two weeks. However, some might display symptoms similar to that of influenza (commonly called flu).

Why is Nipah virus this deadly?

NiV is considered to be deadly for two main reasons-

The virus has the ability to develop into fatal encephalitis, which is a condition that can cause inflammation and swelling of the brain. Also, there is no such cure to NiV. No treatment can completely cure one suffering from Nipah virus and the current treatments only involve supportive care.

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EFFECTIVE STUDY HABITS FOR COLLEGE

From making new friends to settling into a completely different environment, higher education and college can be demanding in so many ways! While every student takes their time to adjust to this new routine, it is important to not let it affect studies. Since it is extremely important to maintain a good grade point from the very first year of college, having a good study routine is necessary and here are some tips to do the same.

Take notes!

While attending a lecture, make sure that you jot down some notes. This way, you will have something written with your understanding with you during exams. Also, this way you will be able to absorb the main concepts and keywords easily.

No phone rule

Make sure that your mobile phone is on silent or off when you are studying. Phones are a major distraction and you don’t want them. And even if you are to use your phone for some academic purpose, make sure that the internet connection is off.

Schedule your timings

You don’t have to study every day for long hours. Just make a smart schedule and stick to it! Make sure that you study every day for a few hours and you will be good. 

Study time

It is advised to study for 40 minutes to 90 minutes and then take a break of 10 to 15 minutes. This way, your concentration will not get affected. Also, exercising in these small breaks is a great way to relieve stress.

Eating and sleeping habits

While you may have a lot to study and practice for, do not let that affect your eating or sleeping habits. Remember, you can only study well if you are healthy. So make sure that you eat nutritious food and take a good seven to eight-hour sleep every night.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help

In case you missed a few classes or are finding difficulty in understanding some concepts, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Talk to your friends, classmates or professors and get your confusions cleared.

Don’t stress

College life is equally about wanting to have fun and making memories. Take some time out every once in a while to hang out with your friends.

These small but effective tips will help you create a balance between studies and fun! We hope that you find them useful! For more such blogs, keep following us.  

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