It's normal. Period.

In the world of Physics, a period is defined as “the interval of time between successive occurrences of the same state in an oscillatory or cyclic phenomenon” e.g. an alternating current, a variable star, or an electromagnetic wave.

Taken into context when speaking about a menstruation cycle, simply put, a period is a time when blood and tissue from your uterus come out of your vagina. It usually happens every month.

In an age where a P.V Sindhu, Mary Kom, Indu Malhotra and Komal Mangtani are scaling new heights there is a glaring contrast to how a Guddi, Munni, Sandra and Shobha tiptoe around their daily lives trying to overcome the challenge of being the feminine gender. Much of the so-called culprit is universally known but to this day a taboo subject in Indian families – “the Period”.

It has been the Voldemort of home discussions – one who shall not be named just felt- lest it befalls and increases the misery of an unsuspecting female. Our minds have been conditioned to perceive in a certain manner due to age-old customs and precedents. And so, it has been the case with female menstruation. The movie Padman aptly brings out the stark misguided misconceptions that social systems of rural India deal with.

It is not a lost battle however. There is a huge onus with media exposure, classroom sex education and brave social media campaigns championing this basic cause. we can now surely stop pretending to put our head into the sand like ostriches or look the other way round when a sanitary pad commercial is on.

Parents are the first nurturers of their children. Kids look up to their parents to guide and lead by example. So Can we not scandalize, feel disgusted or treat a period like an embarrassing disease? Can't we now hold our daughters’ hands and guide them through this special journey into womanhood! Can't we teach our sons to be sensitive and be respectful regarding periods?

Time our children realize, this a natural body function which is as ordinary as breathing or sleeping.