Diwali celebrated with slums of Nayagaon

Chandigarh, November 2, 2021: Enactus team of the Panjab University along with Developing Indigenous Resources-India (DIR-India) organized a Diwali celebration for the underprivileged ladies of slums of Janta colony and Safeda colony, Nayagaon. Creating a better world, contributing to society, giving opportunities to the ones who have the potential, doing all this while keeping the environmental protection in mind is what Enactus students do. DIR, a non-profit charitable Trust has been working relentlessly for the upliftment of slum dwellers for the past 15 years promoting women empowerment by running tailoring classes affiliated with Ministry of Skill Development.
            The event started with the distribution of Diyas made by potters under the Project Dhra of Enactus team. 110 ladies from Janta and Safeda Colony were invited to grace the occasion. 25 Potlies containing 5 Sanitary Napkins each were given to 25 women who came for the function on time, highlighted Prof. Seema Kapoor, Faculty Advisor of Enactus team. Rest of the women were given 4 sanitary napkins each in a potli. Prof. Kapoor averred that this is a gesture of reward to these women on inculcating the habit of punctuality. The sanitary napkins (4 No) along with potlis were distributed at 80% discounted rate for encouraging the basti women to use cloth based sanitary napkins. The token money was taken so that the basti women feel a sense of responsibility to properly use these napkins bought from their hard earned money.
            Dr.Asha Katoch appreciated the efforts put in by Enactus team, DIR team and Mr. Arun Seth, Director and Ms. Geetanjali Bakshi, Coordinator of CSR project Amodini of Versatile Enterprises Pvt. Limited, Group of Companies for making cloth based sanitary napkins project a huge success in a very short span of time. She informed that special fabrics for sanitary napkins are being sponsored by Versatile group under its project Amodini, which means ‘a happy girl’ initiated by the company to break silence around menstrual hygiene for women and young girls in our society.
            Prof. Kapoor informed that these cloth based sanitary napkins have been tested upon various parameters like pH, dimensions, absorbency & ability to withstand pressure after absorption, total bacterial & fungal bioburden by NABL accredited labs and are meeting all standards. The feedback received from the 20 basti women who were earlier distributed these sanitary napkins on free basis is excellent as they find them affordable, comfortable to use, there is no complaint of rashes or itching, easily washable, no stains and smell, doesn’t slip because of hammer on, the absorbing capacity & soaking power is par excellence and no leakage. Also the women do not have to face the stigma attached around menstruation for shopping for sanitary napkins from chemist or grocery stores. 
            This project promotes Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the vision of the present government and saves environment as well as promotes health and hygiene of women, said Ms. Meesha, Vice President of Enactus team. This celebration will help transport delight to all the areas of the slums by lighting their lives and endorsing health above all, said Nandini, project Head, Uday.