~Ujaas further organized a flash mob at Bandra Station to amplify the Impact of Menstrual Health Rap Song, Empowering Volunteers to Spark Conversations on menstrual health~

Watch ‘Laal Rang’ – Ujaas ft Saniya MQ (World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2024)

National, 29^th May 2024: Ujaas, at the forefront of menstrual health advocacy led by Advaitesha Birla, has forged a dynamic collaboration with young rapper Saniya MQ to unveil a poignant and enlightening rap song titled “Ye Laal Rang – Periods,” marking the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day. This ground-breaking initiative aims to dismantle entrenched societal taboos and dispel misconceptions surrounding menstruation. In a vibrant display of solidarity, Saniya and a team of volunteers orchestrated a flash mob at Bandra station, captivating the public eye and amplifying awareness for menstrual health. Available on both Saniya MQ’s and Ujaa YouTube channels, the rap composition confronts prevailing myths head-on, advocating for a progressive shift towards open dialogue and informed perspectives on menstrual health. By targeting younger demographics, this innovative endeavour strives to foster awareness and understanding, empowering individuals to engage in open conversations about menstrual health and challenging prevailing misconceptions.

Speaking on the collaboration, Advaitesha Birla, Founder of Ujaas, emphasized on the critical need for increased awareness about menstruation among Indian girls, highlighting the cycle of anxiety and confusion caused by misinformation. She underlined that Ujaas’ collaboration with Saniya MQ aims to engage youth effectively through mediums like rap music, inspiring action and fostering dialogue. Further stressing on the necessity for collective effort to bring about change in the menstrual health space, stating that it goes beyond just women and adolescent girls. Men too must be included in this dialogue to foster societal change, only through widespread awareness and education can we create an environment where girls are truly empowered to embrace their menstrual health journey with confidence and dignity. Highlighting this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day theme, ‘Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld,’ we underscore the imperative for collective efforts. Ujaas is committed to cultivating a period-friendly ecosystem, dismantling societal barriers, and reshaping perceptions surrounding menstrual hygiene through robust awareness and education initiatives. The hope is that this rap song will drive awareness amongst the youth and catalyze positive change in attitudes towards menstruation.”

Saniya MQ, the young female rapper who brought the menstrual health music symphony to life, shared her thoughts on the initiative, saying, “I am incredibly honoured to collaborate with Ujaas on this powerful project. Menstrual health is a vital issue that affects millions of women, yet it remains shrouded in stigma and misinformation. Through my educational rap, I hope to reach young people and spark open, honest conversations about periods. Together, we can break down these barriers and promote a healthier, more informed society.”

Since its inception, Ujaas has been actively engaged in driving awareness in the menstrual health space. To date, we have reached out to over 254,654 girls through 8,516 educational sessions on menstrual health. Furthermore, we have distributed over 4,349,652 sanitary pads free to girls in rural Maharashtra across 1,228 schools in 17 districts.

In addition to these efforts, Ujaas launched the ground-breaking Ujaas Menstrual Health Express initiative. This pioneering initiative saw the Ujaas Van traveling across 25 states and 107 cities, conducting informative menstrual health workshops in partnership with local NGOs. The aim was to dismantle menstrual taboos and promote hygiene. Over 250,000 free pads were distributed to local communities where access to hygienic products was limited. Moreover, Ujaas has launched a Self-Help Groups (SHGs) program and a manufacturing unit for sustainable cloth pads. This initiative not only provides access to cloth pads in rural markets but also creates livelihood opportunities for 25 SHG women in the first phase. All these effort symbolizes women’s empowerment, sustainability, and social change.

Mumbai, 31^st March, 2024: Mankind Pharma, one of India’s leading pharmaceutical companies, is making strides in enhancing the quality of education in remote areas through its ongoing ‘Digital Smart Class’ initiative. Under their CSR arm, this comprehensive program has established 220 smart classrooms equipped with cutting-edge technology across government schools in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.

The Digital Smart Class initiative is a strategic effort by Mankind Pharma to bridge the digital divide in education and provide underprivileged students with access to modern learning resources. The smart classrooms are equipped with integrated teaching devices, the Kyan system, which can convert any surface to an interactive board and multimedia playing surface, enabling a more engaging and immersive learning experience.

Mr. Sheetal Arora, CEO of Mankind Pharma, expressed his vision for the initiative, stating, “At Mankind Pharma, we are committed to contributing to the overall development of society. Education is a fundamental right, and we believe that every child, regardless of their geographical location, deserves access to quality education. The Digital Smart Class initiative is our endeavour to empower rural communities by providing them with the necessary tools and resources to thrive in the digital age.”

The initiative spans across 170 schools in 23 clusters, benefiting thousands of students in remote areas. Mankind Pharma has collaborated closely with local authorities and educational institutions to ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of the smart classrooms.

Key highlights of the Digital Smart Class initiative:

●        Establishment of 220 smart classrooms across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.

●        Provision of integrated teaching devices and multimedia content for interactive learning.

●        Comprehensive teacher training programs to ensure effective utilisation of the smart classroom technology.

●        Three-year project management and maintenance support to ensure sustainability.

Mankind Pharma’s Digital Smart Class initiative aligns with the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and its vision of creating a positive impact on society. By leveraging technology and innovative educational resources, the company aims to empower rural communities and equip the younger generation with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the digital era.

About Mankind Pharma

Mankind Pharma (BSE: 543904 | NSE: MANKIND) is one of the largest pharmaceutical company in India, which focuses on the domestic market with its Pan India presence. Mankind operates at the intersection of the Indian pharmaceutical formulations and consumer healthcare sectors with the aim of providing quality products at affordable prices. The company is a leading player in the domestic pharmaceuticals business present across acute and chronic therapeutic areas including anti-infectives, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, antidiabetic, neuro/CNS, VMN and respiratory, among others with a strategy to increase chronic presence going ahead. In the consumer healthcare business, the company operates in the condoms, pregnancy detection, emergency contraceptives, antacid powders, vitamin and mineral supplements and anti-acne preparations categories, among others, with several category-leading brands. The company has 28 manufacturing facilities in India manufacturing a wide range of dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, syrups, vials, ampoules, blow fill seal, soft and hard gels, eye drops, creams, contraceptives and other over-the-counter products. Mankind has a consistent track record of product innovation through 6 dedicated R&D facilities backed by more than 600 scientists.

Mumbai, 10th January, 2024:

Ujaas, an initiative by Aditya Birla Education Trust, has taken a monumental stride towards driving menstrual taboos and fostering nationwide awareness for menstrual health and hygiene management. Today marks the unveiling of the ‘Ujaas Menstrual Health Express,’ a pioneering initiative led by Ms. Advaitesha Birla, Founder of Ujaas. This ground-breaking initiative is the first of its kind in India, designed to traverse the length and breadth of the country, covering diverse regions and communities. A Menstrual Health Express Van a part of this initiative will cover 25 states and 106 cities, over 10000+ kilometres.  In a strategic move, Ujaas has partnered with local NGOs to drive awareness and gain insights into the varied cultures, practices, and beliefs surrounding menstruation and menstrual health and hygiene in different states of India.

The initiative goes beyond mere awareness efforts, incorporating the distribution of free sanitary napkins, thereby transforming it into a comprehensive and impactful endeavour. Notably, a significant portion of these distributed napkins will be manufactured by Ujaas itself, in collaboration with Self-Help Groups. Through this collaboration, more than 25 women have received specialized training for sustainable cloth Napkin production, not only contributing to the campaign’s objectives but also enhancing their livelihoods. In total, over 250,000 pads will be distributed as part of this campaign, reflecting Ujaas’ commitment to addressing menstrual health challenges, empowering women, and making a substantial positive impact within communities nationwide.

Commenting on the launch Ms Advaitesha Birla, Founder, Ujaas expressed her dedication to women’s empowerment and menstrual health education. The Ujaas Menstrual Health Express reflects our steadfast dedication to empowering women and girls through education on menstrual health. Our goal is to extend our reach nationwide, ensuring widespread awareness and delivering accurate knowledge to enable girls to lead healthy and dignified lives. The Menstrual Health Express will build capacity of implementing partners including ASHA and Anganwadi workers and also gain insights on various menstrual health practices across India, while ensuring access to safe menstrual health products. Every year, over 23 million girls in India stop attending school because of their periods. Menstruation is a significant public health issue that causes enormous struggles, including discrimination and limited access to essential resources. Our primary objective is to elevate discussions and initiatives at the grassroots level, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and empowered future for women.”

Adding further to the launch Dr Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson Aditya Birla Education Trust, extended her wholehearted support to the Ujaas Menstrual Health Express initiative, emphasizing the critical need for such endeavours at the national level. “Many girls are unaware of periods before their first menstruation cycle due to taboos and sociocultural restrictions, leading to potential health issues. The foremost strategy in dispelling myths is raising awareness among adolescent girls about menstrual health and hygiene. I am proud of Advaitesha for taking up this cause and driving it nationally. We hope to support as many girls as possible to lead a dignified and independent life during menstruation. Initiatives like these bring the conversation to local communities, engaging girls, women, and men, breaking the silence surrounding menstruation and fostering a healthier, more informed society.”

Ujaas, driven by the Aditya Birla Education Trust’s steadfast commitment to social development, has long been a beacon of progress in menstrual health and hygiene management. Through awareness workshops, free sanitary pad distribution, and collaborative initiatives, Ujaas empowers girls and women, particularly in underprivileged communities, to manage their menstrual cycles with dignity and confidence. Ujaas focuses on breaking down taboos and stereotypes, challenging the societal stigma associated with menstruation, and fostering a supportive environment that empowers girls to embrace their periods with confidence. Since its inception in 2021, Ujaas has touched the lives of 205,463 beneficiaries, distributing an impressive 2,575,348 sanitary pads, reaching out to 17 locations across Maharashtra.