Kolkata: A couple from Tribeni celebrated their daughter’s first menstruation day , challenging societal taboo and stigma. Thirty two years old Moumita Das posted the pictures of 12-year-old Ahona and the celebration on a social networking site. Her post was flooded with congratulatory messages from the netizens.“A decade ago, I watched the video of how an American couple had celebrated their daughter’s menarche on social media. Their act encouraged me to do the same for my daughter,” recalled Das. She explained the physiological and biological significance of menstruation to her daughter. “Everything happened all of a sudden on June 6 morning and I decided to skip work and stay with my daughter,” she said.“Our shop was kept closed for the day to support Ahona. I also gifted her two sets of T-shirts and trousers,” said her father, Prasenjit, who is 33-year-old. The couple owns a fusion tea shop near a fish market in Tribeni.“I was initially frightened and skipped school and tuition on that day. My mother was very comforting, explained what was happening and then brought a cake for me , making it memorable. She gave me a silver earring as well,” recounted Ahona, who rejoined school on Monday.Ahona’s maternal uncle, Megh Koley, a cinematographer and professional photographer, also spent the day with the Das family. “It is time we break the taboo that prevails in our society over menstruation. Maa Kamakhya, the goddess of fertility, has blessed her,” he said.
