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Kerala High Court reunited a lesbian couple right before Pride Month

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Adila Nazrin and Fathima Noora, briefly got respite when the Kerala High Court allowed them to live together on Tuesday, 31 May.

Khushi Shah – Mumbai Uncensored, 1st June 2022

The end of May and beginning of June we wake up to Pride month. With a gift, better than expected the Kerala high court on Tuesday reunited a lesbian couple and allowed them to live together, days after they were separated by their parents who did not approve of their relationship. “It is a fresh lease of life for us. We thank all who supported us,” the couple told a local channel after the verdict.

Their love story goes back to their school days in Saudi Arabia where Nazrin and Noora had met and fallen in love. When each of them told their parents about their love, they faced severe opposition. The women reportedly had to tell their parents that they called the relationship off. However, they however continued their relationship.

When on 19 may they finally opened up to their parents again they were strongly objected and the couple then ran away and sought help from Vanaja Collective in Kozhikode. Vanaja Collective is an organisation that helps marginalised communities, especially those belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community.

The two sets of parents had carefully plotted to trick the girls so that they could take them away by taking them to a relative’s house in Ernakulam’s Aluva where “they were emotionally blackmailed.”

After filing a Habeas Corpus petition alleging the abduction of Noora against her will, the 23-year-old woman in a social media post claimed that her lesbian partner was forcibly taken away by the latter’s family and also alleged that the police refused to entertain her complaint saying her parents have every right to take or keep their daughter and dismissed it as a ‘’family matter’’. “On May 27 when we inquired with Thamarassery police station about the woman’s partner, they told us bluntly that she was with her parents and they cannot do anything on parents beating their children,” H Gargi, member of Vanaja, said.

 She further claimed that she was assaulted by her partner’s parents when she tried to prevent them from taking the latter away on May 26th and that her partner was locked up in a room by her parents and tortured to end the relationship and change her sexual orientation.

At court, Fathima expressed her desire to leave with Adhila, which was accepted by the court and passed an order for the same. Adhila had earlier stated that Noora’s family is forcing her into ‘conversion therapy’ a practice that aims to change, ‘cure’ or ‘repair’ an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, is a global problem that causes severe physical and psychological suffering to its victims.

Adhila said though the court allowed them to live together, they were not ‘free’ yet. She said, “It was tough & drained us emotionally. We got a lot of support from people from the LGBTQ community. With the Kerala High Court order, we are happy & free. Actually, we are not completely free as our families are still threatening us.”

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Fashion-Forward Compassion: PETA India Shines a Spotlight on Vegan Offerings at India Fashion Forum 2024

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6th March 2024, National:
PETA India made a significant impact and turned heads with its vegan fashion-forward booth at this year’s India Fashion Forum (IFF) at Conrad Bengaluru on 21 and 22 February. Launched in 2000, the IFF, India’s largest and most influential fashion retail intelligence event, hosted global leaders from all sectors of the fashion industry. It provided excellent networking opportunities for those invested in the business of fashion.

PETA India exhibited state-of-the-art materials and an extensive range of vegan products, including luxurious TENCEL LUXE vegan silk sarees from Taneira, a stunning vegan handbag and belt made of the plant-based leather Mirum by Anita Dongre, chic vegan leather accessories from couture label JADE by Monica and Karishma, fashionable and playful vegan leather shoes and a handbag from Papa Don’t Preach, apple and cactus leather handbags by Sarjaa, coconut leather materials and products from Malai, banana leather materials and products from Hult Prize winner Banofi Leather, men’s shoes and wallets from premium non-leather brand Ethik, and Cozywalks, and eco- and earth- friendly handbags, belts, and jewellery crafted from cork and banana bark by FOReT. PETA India staffers also spoke to businesses looking to obtain “PETA-Approved Vegan” and Beauty Without Bunnies certifications.

Compassionate fashion means showing respect for all living, feeling beings. Animals caged and killed for their skin are forced to live joyless, traumatic lives and suffer painful, inhumane deaths. Moreover, the industry is environmentally unsustainable: it pollutes the planet and causes widespread damage to biodiversity and human health. But vegan fashion continues to evolve. Vegan silk and leather made from plants look beautiful and feel luxurious, and thanks to brands making a conscious shift towards compassionate and sustainable fashion, they are increasingly accessible.

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Ujaas launches Menstrual Health Express

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Mumbai, 10th January, 2024:

Ujaas, an initiative by Aditya Birla Education Trust, has taken a monumental stride towards driving menstrual taboos and fostering nationwide awareness for menstrual health and hygiene management. Today marks the unveiling of the ‘Ujaas Menstrual Health Express,’ a pioneering initiative led by Ms. Advaitesha Birla, Founder of Ujaas. This ground-breaking initiative is the first of its kind in India, designed to traverse the length and breadth of the country, covering diverse regions and communities. A Menstrual Health Express Van a part of this initiative will cover 25 states and 106 cities, over 10000+ kilometres.  In a strategic move, Ujaas has partnered with local NGOs to drive awareness and gain insights into the varied cultures, practices, and beliefs surrounding menstruation and menstrual health and hygiene in different states of India.

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The initiative goes beyond mere awareness efforts, incorporating the distribution of free sanitary napkins, thereby transforming it into a comprehensive and impactful endeavour. Notably, a significant portion of these distributed napkins will be manufactured by Ujaas itself, in collaboration with Self-Help Groups. Through this collaboration, more than 25 women have received specialized training for sustainable cloth Napkin production, not only contributing to the campaign’s objectives but also enhancing their livelihoods. In total, over 250,000 pads will be distributed as part of this campaign, reflecting Ujaas’ commitment to addressing menstrual health challenges, empowering women, and making a substantial positive impact within communities nationwide.

Commenting on the launch Ms Advaitesha Birla, Founder, Ujaas expressed her dedication to women’s empowerment and menstrual health education. The Ujaas Menstrual Health Express reflects our steadfast dedication to empowering women and girls through education on menstrual health. Our goal is to extend our reach nationwide, ensuring widespread awareness and delivering accurate knowledge to enable girls to lead healthy and dignified lives. The Menstrual Health Express will build capacity of implementing partners including ASHA and Anganwadi workers and also gain insights on various menstrual health practices across India, while ensuring access to safe menstrual health products. Every year, over 23 million girls in India stop attending school because of their periods. Menstruation is a significant public health issue that causes enormous struggles, including discrimination and limited access to essential resources. Our primary objective is to elevate discussions and initiatives at the grassroots level, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and empowered future for women.”

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Adding further to the launch Dr Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson Aditya Birla Education Trust, extended her wholehearted support to the Ujaas Menstrual Health Express initiative, emphasizing the critical need for such endeavours at the national level. “Many girls are unaware of periods before their first menstruation cycle due to taboos and sociocultural restrictions, leading to potential health issues. The foremost strategy in dispelling myths is raising awareness among adolescent girls about menstrual health and hygiene. I am proud of Advaitesha for taking up this cause and driving it nationally. We hope to support as many girls as possible to lead a dignified and independent life during menstruation. Initiatives like these bring the conversation to local communities, engaging girls, women, and men, breaking the silence surrounding menstruation and fostering a healthier, more informed society.”

Ujaas, driven by the Aditya Birla Education Trust’s steadfast commitment to social development, has long been a beacon of progress in menstrual health and hygiene management. Through awareness workshops, free sanitary pad distribution, and collaborative initiatives, Ujaas empowers girls and women, particularly in underprivileged communities, to manage their menstrual cycles with dignity and confidence. Ujaas focuses on breaking down taboos and stereotypes, challenging the societal stigma associated with menstruation, and fostering a supportive environment that empowers girls to embrace their periods with confidence. Since its inception in 2021, Ujaas has touched the lives of 205,463 beneficiaries, distributing an impressive 2,575,348 sanitary pads, reaching out to 17 locations across Maharashtra.

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Driving Innovation, Changing Lives: Robotex India’s Unforgettable Milestone

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In the heart of Pune, Maharashtra, India, a beacon of innovation and compassion shines brightly through the efforts of Robotex India, an NGO dedicated to transforming lives through technology. As we embark on a journey through their impactful milestones, we discover a narrative of progress, empowerment, and societal change.

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Pioneering Robotics Education for Underprivileged Youth

Robotex India took its first step towards societal transformation by introducing robotics education to 1 million underprivileged youth. Breaking barriers and defying stereotypes, Robotex India has embarked on a mission to make technology accessible to all. Through workshops, training programs, and after-school initiatives, Robotex India equipped young minds with the tools to shape their futures.

Bridging the Gender Gap in STEM Education

Recognizing the gender gap in STEM fields, Robotex India initiated targeted programs to encourage girls to pursue their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through our flagship “Girls who build robots” mentorship program, Robotex India has successfully increased the representation of young women in the tech landscape, inspiring a new generation of female innovators.

Community Empowerment through Technological Solutions

Robotex India’s commitment to community development materialized through participation in the G20 Summit. The children showcased smart solutions for waste management to implementing technology-driven healthcare initiatives to over 5000 delegates and dignitaries, Robotex India became a catalyst for positive change at the grassroots level.

Impactful Rural Outreach Programs

Taking our mission beyond urban landscapes, Robotex India made significant strides in rural outreach. By leveraging technology to enhance education and provide access to basic technological needs, the organization showcased the transformative power of innovation in shaping a more inclusive and equitable society.

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National Recognition and Awards

Robotex India’s unwavering dedication to its mission garnered national recognition and prestigious awards. Our impactful contributions to societal development through technology were acknowledged, reinforcing its position as a trailblazer in the field of social innovation.

International Collaborations for Global Impact

In an era of interconnectedness, Robotex India forged meaningful collaborations with international organizations – Robotex International, Tallin, Estonia, amplifying its impact on a global scale. Sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices, these collaborations enabled the underprivileged students to contribute to international competitions in the role of technology in addressing social challenges.

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