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Aditi Gupta And Her Innovative Comic, Menstrupedia

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Image Courtesy: Menstrupedia

Aditi Gupta, founder of the popular educational comic, Menstrupedia, speaks about her journey to end the tradition of ignorance surrounding menstruation

Text Credits: Rheanna Mathews

It is an enlightened age in which we live, isn’t it? For instance, something as commonplace and necessary as the menstrual cycle of a woman is something people would know and talk about, right?

Aditi Gupta, who created Menstrupedia, a comic that teaches children, and sometimes adults, about the period, certainly doesn’t think so. Aditi co-founded Menstrupedia with Tuhin Paul, the germ having been planted in their brains while pursuing their postgraduate degree at the National Institute of Design (NID). While in a relationship, both Aditi and Tuhin realised how little they knew about menstruation and were shocked to comprehend the magnitude of misconceptions revolving around the period. They asked themselves, “Despite leading educated and urban lives, if they were so ignorant about this, what was happening elsewhere?”

Menstrupedia was their answer to this troubling question.

We know there is an atmosphere of myth, taboo and ignorance surrounding the reality of menstruation. During your year-long research period, how did you get others to open up to you regarding their experiences?

What happens is, when it comes something that is considered taboo, you tend to be able to share more with a stranger than with someone you are familiar with. You can share details of something you consider intimate or personal, because you are fairly confident that you won’t have to face them again.

A typical example of this is that most schools want an external facilitator to conduct a workshop when it comes to topics like periods or sex education, because regular teachers don’t want do it, as they have to face their students every day.

It is a little surprising that Menstrupedia was crowdfunded. How did you convince investors that this was a worthy venture?

When we went the traditional route, we were actually mocked by potential investors. We didn’t lose heart though. We had our prototype and launched our website with it in October 2012, and were overwhelmed by the tremendous response we got.

Those who seemed to understand the business market had said our product would fail terribly but the response we received made us realise that we had public support and so we thought, “Why not do a crowdfunding campaign?”

How many has Menstrupedia reached so far?

Online, we have reached more than 60 mn users. Our website gets 1.5 L visitors every month from every country in the world. Our books are in 14 languages – 9 Indian languages and other foreign languages – and we’ve sold over 1.5 L copies of the Menstrupedia comic book. It is our understanding that one book reaches at least three children, most of them girls. Recently, the government of Andhra Pradesh distributed our books to all their 122 residential schools across 11 districts.

Besides this, there are a number of NGOs that use our free materials; apart from the book, we also have free content called Hello Periods, available in 10 languages. Apart from India, the Menstrupedia comic book is locally printed and sold in Nepal and in Uruguay, South America.

When it comes to translations of your comic, what is the modus operandi, and how do you surmount the cultural differences?

When the book needs to be translated, a major condition that is part of the process is that the translator and the reviewer shouldn’t know each other. When it comes to the translation itself, we don’t do a literal translation, since the information is largely conveyed through dialogues, without using any formal language. The editor would be conscious of the cultural nuances in these dialogues and he runs through the work of two or three translators before giving the green signal for one of them. Only then do we go ahead with the entire translation. Apart from this, we make sure that we incorporate any feedback we get in each new edition

What is in store for you and Menstrupedia? What other social mores shackling girls and women do you and your team plan to tackle?

Now that it is entering its sixth year, Menstrupedia has become quite sustainable. We won’t be picking another social issue as we want to focus on Menstrupedia and its offshoots, like the website, the audio-visual book and other supporting educational tools. We will be making more books and the very next project we are working on is a book on puberty for boys. We have a lot on our plate, what with setting up centres in different countries, the selling of licenses, more translations…we want to make nationwide educational infrastructure for everyone to learn and teach about menstruation in the most fun and easiest way.

 

Learn more about Aditi’s work with Menstrupedia here. (https://www.menstrupedia.com)

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Ahaana Krishna’s Dreamy Bridal Look

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Without a question, Ahaana Krishna is the queen of aesthetics. She has returned with yet another stunning and captivating bridal portrait. The image was uploaded the day before on her Instagram and was immediately loved by the public. Let’s look into the details of this stunning photo shoot.

 Ahaana wore a stunning saree from Indra Designs’ “Enchanting collections” to complete the enchanted appearance. The saree was exquisitely woven in opulent English garden designs, including three-dimensional embellishments created by House of Indra artisans. The saree was draped perfectly by saree stylist Daira. 

Devi Sreenath, the creative director of Indra Designs, styled the entire ensemble. The exquisite bouquet by Droplet Bouquets complimented the entire bridal ensemble.

Ahaana opted for a classic appearance with her accessories. DC Jewellers provided the exquisitely crafted gems. Various pearls and gemstones set in intricate designs make up the ornaments. It complements the outfit’s hues beautifully.

Amrin Khan, her makeup artist, opted for a delicate and dreamy appearance, keeping the makeup simple. The photographs were taken by Twelvef Moments

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Effortless Glamour

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How to add a touch of glamour to any occasion without sacrificing comfort or style, just add some Shimmer. Aparna looks gorgeous  in the stunning golden sequined flared dress by D’Roz for Christmas theme shoot.

Chic Style

Aparna looks casual chic with urban sophistication with her street style look in this green dress by Urbanic

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Aparna is a natural at stealing the show; she looks magnificent in her exquisite blue saree that Sabarinath styled. The saree comes from Luxurion World. 

Mythical Magic

Aparna looks stunning in an embellished saree by T & M Signature thanks to her excellent sense of style. The blouse features soft and elegant hues with delicate foliate motifs and elaborate crisscross patterns. The MOD Signature jewels completed the entire look. 

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Architecture

5 Sustainable Interior Design Trends to Embrace in 2024

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As the world becomes increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability, it’s no surprise that eco-friendly practices are making their way into the realm of interior design. In 2024, we can expect to see a surge in sustainable interior design trends that not only enhance the beauty of our living spaces but also minimise our environmental footprint. From repurposed materials to energy-efficient solutions, here are five sustainable interior design trends to embrace this year.

Upcycled Furniture:

One of the most prominent sustainable interior design trends of 2024 is the use of upcycled furniture. Instead of buying new pieces, consider giving old furniture a new lease on life by refurbishing or repurposing them. From reclaimed wood tables to refurbished chairs, upcycled furniture adds character and charm to your space while reducing waste and conserving resources.

Biophilic Design:

Biophilic design, which emphasizes a connection to nature, continues to gain popularity in 2024. Integrating natural elements such as plants, natural light, and organic materials into your interior design not only enhances aesthetics but also promotes well-being and sustainability. Consider incorporating living walls, indoor gardens, and sustainable wood finishes to bring the outdoors inside and create a healthier living environment.

Energy-Efficient Lighting:

With a growing focus on energy conservation, energy-efficient lighting solutions are becoming a staple in sustainable interior design. LED lights, in particular, consume significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer, reducing both energy consumption and maintenance costs. Additionally, consider incorporating natural light sources such as skylights and large windows to maximize daylight and minimize the need for artificial lighting during the day.

Sustainable Textiles:

When it comes to upholstery and soft furnishings, opting for sustainable textiles is key to reducing environmental impact. Look for fabrics made from organic or recycled materials, such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, or recycled polyester. These materials not only reduce the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides but also minimize waste and support eco-friendly production practices. Additionally, consider investing in durable, high-quality textiles that stand the test of time, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Smart Home Technology:

In 2024, smart home technology continues to evolve, offering innovative solutions for sustainable living. From smart thermostats that optimize energy usage to home automation systems that control lighting and appliances, these technologies can help reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency in your home. Additionally, smart home devices such as occupancy sensors and smart meters provide valuable insights into your energy usage, empowering you to make informed decisions about resource management and conservation.

As we strive to create more sustainable living environments, embracing these five interior design trends can help reduce our environmental impact while creating beautiful and functional spaces. Whether you’re upcycling old furniture, incorporating natural elements, or investing in energy-efficient technologies, every sustainable choice contributes to a greener future for generations to come. So let’s embrace these trends and make sustainability a cornerstone of our interior design practices in 2024 and beyond.

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