Kochi: Sacred Heart Chalakudy emerged as the overall champion in the inter-collegiate 'Empower Her' event, jointly organized by Manorama Online and Jain University on the occasion of Women's Day. More than 300 students from over 50 colleges across Kerala participated in the event held at the Jain University campus in Kakkanad.

The competitions commenced with a quiz competition, with 20 teams participating. Mahatma Gandhi University Campus claimed the first prize, while Mar Ivanios College secured second place and the Institute of Advanced Study in Education finished third. The first prize-winning team received Rs 15,000, while the first and second runners-up were awarded Rs 10,000 and Rs 7,500, respectively. Professional quizzer A R Ranjith oversaw the contest.

In the branding competition on the theme 'How to create more awareness among women in using the Menstrual Cup,' several teams participated. Sacred Heart's College, Thrissur, secured the first place, followed by UC College, Aluva, in second place, and SCMS College, Kochi, in third place. The winners were selected by a panel consisting of Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden, FEMISEF co-founder Noorin Ayisha, Jain University New Initiative Director Dr Tom Joseph, Brahma Learning Solutions CEO A R Ranjith, and Dr Simi Kurian, Head of Management Studies, Jain University. The first-place team received Rs 20,000, while the second and third-place winners received Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively.

"Awareness about the menstrual cup and menstruation should first be inculcated in men. This is essential to understand the mood of women during their periods. The Cup of Life project, launched two years ago, is receiving much support today. The four-month-long scheme of distributing 1 lakh menstrual cups helped raise awareness about menstrual cups among women from different walks of life. I reached out to colleges, anganwadis, and schools and made many people aware of the use of the menstrual cup. The 'Feel the Pain' campaign was also embraced by people on a large scale. The menstrual cup has made a significant difference in menstrual hygiene," Hibi Eden MP said during the branding competition.

In the Dumb Charades competition, Marian College Kuttikkanam secured first place, Farooq College secured second, and Bharat Matha College finished third. The winning team received Rs 15,000, while the second and third-place winners received Rs 10,000 and Rs 7,500, respectively. Sacred Heart's College secured first place, Marian College Kuttikkanam secured second place, and Jain University secured third place in the cinematic dance competition. The first prize was Rs 25,000, the second prize was Rs 15,000, and the third prize was Rs 10,000.

Kottayam District Collector V Vigneshwari, speaking at the concluding ceremony, shared that she aspired to an IAS career due to the discrimination she faced as a girl in a property partition case.

"It was at the age of 22 that I wanted to do something for society and aspired to be an IAS officer. Everyone should be able to fight the discrimination against women. This discrimination can be resolved by understanding that women also have rights. Men should also consider this," Vigneshwari IAS said.
Nightlife for women cannot materialize suddenly in a day; it requires constant effort, and she will also strive for the same, the collector added.