VAIKOM:
Popularising menstrual cups can benefit the progress of solid-waste management in fast-urbanising Kerala, C, K. Asha, MLA, said today.
Sanitary napkins have been a definite advancement over traditional items women use during monthly periods, yet their disposal in massive numbers pose a potential threat to ecosystem, she noted ahead of distributing menstrual cups (M-Cups) by public-sector Kerala Feeds Limited (KFL) to 1,619 girl students of government schools in her Vaikom legislative assembly constituency. “It is here that M-Cups come as a major breakthrough,” she said at the inaugural function in AJJM Government Higher Secondary School at nearby Thalayolaparambu in Kottayam district.
Noting that KFL’s novel initiative is being backed up by classes that create awareness about the use of M-Cups among students of the 13-17 age-group, Asha said periods are when girls require special individual care.
Praising KFL for its M-Cups project under the CSR-funded ‘Surakshith’ programme in collaboration with the central public-sector HLL Lifecare Limited, the legislator said the 1998-founded PSU has been playing a crucial role in ensuring the quality of milk across Kerala. “While KFL has come up with allied products such as Mineral Mix that boost milk productivity among cows, Kerala has been facing an influx of adulterated cattle feed from other states. To counter this, the government passed a law after a high-powered delegation’s visit to other parts of the country,” she pointed out.
KFL Chairperson K. Sreekumar, in his presidential address, noted that Vaikom had been a hub for social reformation in the last century, having witnessed struggles against social malaises such as untouchability. Keeping anyone aloof in the name of age-old customs is a taboo that should be wiped away, he added in reference to puberty-attainment celebrations and ostracisation during menses.
KFL Managing Director Dr B. Sreekumar said the PSU’s ‘Surakshith’ crossed halfway its target by distributing 10,000 M-Cups to school students so far. The project will be carried out in 10 assembly constituencies, he added, hailing Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister Smt J. Chinchurani for spearheading the initiative.
Others at the ceremony included Panchayat Councillor Shiji Vincent, HSS Principal Sreelatha S. and Head Mistress Maya Devi, besides Dr M. Archana of KFL and the company’s Secretary Vidya Unnikrishnan.
KFL, which is based in Kallettumkara near Irinjalakuda of Thrissur district, manufactures a range of products that cater to different breeds of cows.
