Pune: On the occasion of Teachers Day, Ujaas, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust founded by Advaitesha Birla, launched the first phase of its Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHM) teacher training programme in Purandar, Pune.
The programme, held on September 4, trained more than 100 teachers from 30 schools in a two-hour online session. The initiative is part of a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pune Zilla Parishad and aims to train over 3,000 teachers across all 13 blocks of the district.
While teacher training was not initially included in the MoU, Ujaas initiated this step to embed menstrual health awareness into schools. Supported by the Pune Zilla Parishad, the initiative focuses on building teachers’ capacity to guide adolescent girls, dispel myths, and ensure stigma-free conversations around menstruation.
Ujaas’ impact on menstrual health awareness
Since its inception in 2021, Ujaas has worked through three pillars—awareness, sustainability, and free sanitary pad distribution. The initiative has already educated over 5 lakh adolescents and distributed more than 50 lakh sanitary pads free of cost for sustainable period management across Maharashtra.
Teachers Day: Educators empowered to lead long-term change
During the training, teachers were equipped with knowledge, tools, and methodologies to integrate menstrual health management into classrooms and school activities. They were also prepared to provide continuous support, nutrition guidance, pain management strategies, and emotional well-being resources for adolescent girls.
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Poonam Patkar, Head of Ujaas, said, “Teachers are at the heart of change. Nearly 23% of adolescent girls in India drop out of school once they start menstruating. By empowering teachers with accurate, stigma-free knowledge, we are ensuring safe school environments where girls feel supported, confident, and cared for.”
Pune Zilla Parishad’s support under Pune Model School programme
Adding his perspective, Gajanan Patil, IAS, Pune Zilla Parishad, stated, “This initiative under the Pune Model School programme is a vital step for adolescent girls’ holistic development. It seeks to ensure awareness, access to sanitary pads, and teacher support, helping to reduce dropout rates and enable girls to continue their education with dignity and confidence.”
With this Teachers Day milestone, Ujaas has set the foundation for a district-wide movement in Pune, empowering educators as long-term advocates for menstrual health and contributing to sustainable social change in schools.
IIMS Celebrates Teachers Day with Enthusiasm
Pune: The International Institute of Management Science (IIMS), under Yashaswi Education Society, celebrated Teachers Day with great enthusiasm. The programme began with the traditional lighting of the lamp and a floral tribute to Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, former President of India, whose birth anniversary is observed as Teachers Day across the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shivaji Munde, Director of IIMS, said that the day reminds everyone of the invaluable contribution of teachers in shaping the future of students and society.
During the celebration, faculty members highlighted the importance of lifelong learning and urged students to adopt the practice of continuously acquiring new knowledge. Expressing their gratitude, students presented poems, reflections, and cultural performances dedicated to teachers.
The event was graced by Dr Vandana Mohanty, Head of the MBA Department, Dr Ashwini Brahme, Head of the MCA Department, along with faculty members, non-teaching staff, and students.
Students Sonali Pawar, Natasha Dalal, Ruchi Mishra, Riya Mirajkar, and Falguni Patil played a key role in coordinating the programme, ensuring its smooth execution.
