New Delhi: Aiming to raise awareness on Menstruation and Hygiene, the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (NIRDPR) has collaborated with the public sector enterprise Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for a pilot project to enlighten and distribute free sanitary napkins to the girl students in government school of Telengana.
The project will be implemented under the CSR practices in 5 mandals of Telengana State to supply sanitary napkins free of cost.
The pilot project will benefit over 11,516 girl students enrolled in 75 government schools in five mandals of Telangana State.
The project, taken up as part of BDL’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, is likely to be expanded to 22 more mandals in the next phases consequent upon the results. BDL has provided a funding of Rs. 71.82 lakh for this project, a statement from both the organisations said.
BDL is a Government of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Defence and is a manufacturing base for guided missiles and allied defence equipment in the country.
Highlighting the importance of this project, Prof R Murugesan, head, Centre for CSR, Public Private Partnership and People’s Action, NIRDPR, said, “The present union government is giving more attention to health and sanitation issues. CSR is a catalyst for inclusive development, uplifting rural poor through skill development, employment generation and substantiating income and environment.”
“Through this particular project, NIRDPR is aiming to create awareness on health and menstrual hygiene along with sociological and environmental issues, and removing the stigma associated with menstruation among rural adolescent girls, driving them towards fruitful education without any absenteeism and health hazards,” he said,
Speaking about this CSR Initiative, a senior BDL official said, “It is a felt need for any adolescent girl in the government schools in rural areas. We are very keen on investing to ensure hygienic and clean environment. We are sure that this project would yield expected results and positive impact in line with the objectives”.