Renewing the Body, Enlightening the Mind
Breaking the Silence Around Menstrual Health
Urjas pairs localized, voice-first AI with grounded field expertise — so every adolescent in India has a private, judgment-free place to ask.
About Urjas
Urjas works to dismantle the silence around menstrual health in rural and semi-urban India, where taboo — not biology — is what keeps girls out of the classroom.
Access to health information should be private, culturally resonant and free from judgment. Every child deserves to understand their own body without fear or shame.
A menstrual health management session at a government school in Karnataka
Figures from Urjas field programmes in Karnataka, 2025–26.
Pillars of Impact
We address menstrual health inequity through three delivery pillars, building a holistic support system for every child.
Ritu AI
The Digital Companion
A voice-first companion in Kannada, Hindi and English. Any child can ask anything about their health, at any hour, with complete anonymity.
Knowledge Commons
Culturally Relevant Resources
A curated library of health content designed for the Indian context — short videos, infographics, and nutrition guides featuring iron-rich local foods like Ragi, Jaggery, Drumstick leaves, and Amaranth greens.
Human Network
Training & Certification
Training programmes for School Counselors, ASHA workers, and Adolescent Educators. We empower the trusted adults in a child's life to become empathetic allies and informed guides.
Meet Ritu
Your Health Companion
Ask anything about periods, hygiene, nutrition or health — in your own language, on your own terms.
Talk to Ritu Now100% Anonymous
Your conversations are completely private
Available 24/7
Ask questions anytime, day or night
Multilingual
Speaks English, Kannada and Hindi, with more Indian languages in development
The Urjas Edge
Urjas pairs deep social research with a technology team experienced in building AI products — bridging the gap between the lab and the field.
Sangeetha George
Founder — Social Impact & Research
A PhD in Social Services whose work has taken her into classrooms, assemblies and community halls across Karnataka. She grounds every digital interaction in empathy and social science.
An Experienced AI Team
Technology & Product
Sangeetha works alongside a team with a track record of building and shipping AI products, who make Ritu robust, localized and scalable enough to serve thousands of adolescents at once.
Research-Led
Our findings are presented and tested at academic and industry forums, not written in isolation.
Field-Tested
Every module is delivered in real classrooms before it becomes a product feature.
Built to Scale
Localized, voice-first AI infrastructure designed for low-literacy, low-bandwidth settings.
Our Impact in Action
Field programmes, school sessions and research forums from our work across Karnataka and beyond.
Fund a village. Change a generation.
Urjas is built for partnership, not grant-chasing. Every rupee is tied to a named school, a measured cohort and a reported outcome.
CSR Partnerships
Sponsor the deployment of Ritu and our training modules across a defined cluster of schools, with quarterly impact reporting against agreed metrics.
School Programmes
Bring a full menstrual literacy programme to your school or network — sessions, educator certification and ongoing AI support for students.
Individual Giving
₹150 supports one child for a full programme cycle, covering content, delivery and a year of access to Ritu.
Urjas is registering as a Section 8 company; 12A and 80G certification are in progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about menstrual health, answered with care and sensitivity.
Menstruation — a "period" — is a natural biological process. Each month the uterus builds a lining for a possible pregnancy; when that doesn't happen, the lining sheds as menstrual blood. It usually begins between ages 10 and 15 and is a sign your body is growing well. There is nothing to be ashamed of.
Yes. Exercise is safe during your period and often eases cramps and lifts your mood. Walking, yoga, stretching and your favourite sport are all fine. Listen to your body and stay as active as feels comfortable.
Medically, there is no reason a period should keep you from any place or activity. Traditional restrictions came from old beliefs, not science. We respect every family's traditions, but you are not "impure" during your period — the choice is yours and your family's.
Your body needs extra iron. Ragi, jaggery in place of sugar, drumstick leaves (nugge soppu), amaranth and spinach are all easy to find locally. Dates, sesame seeds and groundnuts help too. Drink plenty of warm water or buttermilk.
Very normal. It can take 2–3 years after your first period for a cycle to settle, so early, late or skipped months are expected as a teenager. See a doctor if bleeding is very heavy, pain is severe, or you haven't had a period by 16.
Remember that your mother, sister or teacher has been through the same thing. You could open with, "I have some health questions I'd like to ask." If speaking feels hard, write a note instead. You can also talk to Ritu first to find the right words.
Sanitary pads are the most widely available and the easiest to start with. Cloth pads are reusable and eco-friendly; menstrual cups are reusable and cost-effective over time. Use whatever feels comfortable, and change pads every 4–6 hours.
Mild to moderate cramps in the first day or two are normal — your uterus is contracting. A warm compress, gentle stretching, warm drinks and light exercise all help. See a doctor if the pain stops you doing daily activities, you soak through a pad every hour, or cramps suddenly worsen.
Yes. Bathing during your period matters for hygiene, and warm water can ease cramps. Washing your hair is equally safe. There is no medical reason to avoid either.
No. It is blood and tissue your body no longer needs — the same blood that flows through your veins. The idea that it is impure is a myth with no scientific basis. You are not unclean during your period.
Get in Touch
Have questions, want to collaborate, or interested in bringing Urjas to your community? We'd love to hear from you.
Sangeetha George
Founder
Bengaluru, India