The 84th anniversary of Kolkata’s ‘Pathurighata Pancher Palli’ Durga Puja pandal is difficult societal norms and taboos surrounding menstruation by adopting a Menstrual Hygiene theme. The visionary behind this thought-provoking initiative is Ellora Saha, the Working President of the ‘Pathuriaghata Pancher Palli Sarbojanin Durgotsab’ committee.
#WATCH | West Bengal: Ellora Saha, working president of Pathuriaghata Pancher Pally Sarbojonin Durgotsab Committee says, “We’ve named this yr’s theme ‘Ritumati’, which suggests menstruating girl. There are a variety of taboos and superstitions round menstruation. Ladies are usually not… pic.twitter.com/nUVjcEisRS
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2023
With the intention of eradicating the stigma related to menstruation, the theme of ‘Ritumati’ (Menstrual Hygiene) has been chosen for this yr’s puja pandal. Ellora Saha remarked, “Menstruation is a pure organic course of, and there’s no want to hide it. It is excessive time we break these taboos, and step one is to deliver such points to the forefront,” information company ANI quoted her as saying.
Menstruation is ceaselessly related to quite a few restrictions, resembling prohibiting ladies from getting into the kitchen, sharing beds with their husbands, or leaving the home. Insufficient training about private well being and hygiene throughout menstruation aggravates these myths. Ellora Saha advocates for a shift in mindset, urging each girls and boys to find out about menstruation scientifically and to view it as a easy, pure organic course of devoid of glorification or secrecy.
The development of the pandal, rooted in set up artwork that includes work, fashions, and graphics, took three months and an funding of roughly Rs 18 lakh. Manash Roy, the primary artist behind the venture, defined, “Our puja pandal focuses on menstrual hygiene and cycles by way of numerous types of artwork.” The central theme is embodied within the idols crafted by Sanatan Paul of Kumartuli, which additional underline the message of breaking menstrual taboos.
The Menstrual Hygiene theme of the ‘Pathurighata Pancher Palli’ Durga Puja pandal displays a progressive step in direction of elevating consciousness and normalising conversations about menstruation, difficult deep-rooted stigmas, and ushering in a extra inclusive and knowledgeable society.