Sangini initiative fights period poverty in Begusarai with sanitary pad
Begusarai (PTI): To tackle period poverty and empower young girls, sanitary pad dispensers and incinerators were installed in two schools in Manjhaul here as part of the Sangini initiative that aims to transform Begusarai into a model district in menstrual hygiene.
This innovative project by non-profit organisation NOBA GSR (Netarhat Old Boys Association Global Social Responsibility), supported by Press Trust of India (PTI), aims to ensure menstrual hygiene management in rural schools so that girls no longer miss out on education due to their periods. The installation took place ahead of International Women's Day on Saturday.
NOBA GSR has partnered with PTI to expand its Sangini initiative, which has already helped transform the lives of over 2 lakh girls across India, according to a statement.
With more than 700 installations in schools, the statement said, the initiative has significantly reduced absenteeism and dropout rates among adolescent girls.
Each dispenser is equipped with SIM-enabled technology that allows real-time tracking of stock levels, ensuring timely refills that make menstrual hygiene products accessible.
NOBA GSR Operations Manager Mani Raj Singh highlighted the initiative's broader mission.
"With the support of organisations like PTI, NOBA GSR's Sangini initiative is committed to ensuring that menstrual hygiene products reach those who need them the most. Beyond providing sanitary napkins, we aim to foster a long-term behavioural shift in menstrual health awareness across rural India," he said.
Saurabh Kumar, NOBA GSR's Begusarai official, shared the local impact.
"Sangini is already operational in 110 government schools across 40 panchayats in Begusarai. With the support of PTI, SBI, BPCL, IOCL, HURL, PEPSI and government officials, we aim to extend this initiative to the remaining panchayats, ensuring no girl is left behind," Kumar said.
The Sangini initiative is currently active in nine states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana and West Bengal, with plans to expand to Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam, and other regions.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
