The program’s launch comes as White House officials are trying to address inequities in the nation's vaccination push.
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Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Democratic lawmakers push FDA to lift restrictions on abortion pill
The group notes that the FDA suspended in-person requirements for many other drugs during the pandemic, including opioids, but kept them in place for mifepristone.
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Artists from south India's trans communities visualise their life in art
The Sahodari Foundation, based in Tamil Nadu, recently showcased the works of about 25 transgender artists.
TNM
"To write poetry, you need to learn a language. To create art, you don’t,” said Kalki Subramaniam, a transgender artist and activist who was showcasing her work at the Bangalore International Centre in Bengaluru over the weekend. Kalki was among those who laid the footing for the Sahodari Foundation, based in Tamil Nadu, which provides support and counselling for trans women. The foundation was hosting an exhibition titled ‘We are not the Others’, which took place from February 5-7. The exhibition showcased the works of around 25 artists from the community. Ranging from pop art to surrealist paintings, the exhibition portrayed a large store of talent. The paintings that were on display were full of life and were a celebration of nature and the vibrancy of the transgender community. In a conversation with TNM, Kalki spoke about the artists’ motivation behind their creations, how identity is portrayed through art and popular Korean boy band BTS. “Art is not just a hobby for us, many in the community create art to earn some extra money. We also have the talent to create and I want the world to see that creativity,” said Kalki. She added that several transgender persons are talented and vibrant, but seldom get opportunities to highlight their talents. A vibrant painting on display Art is a safe space for many in the community, including Kalki. She said that she was 12 years old when she first started showing an interest in it. “I used to bunk school, go to nearby forests or parks, sit in a corner, creating art. I always knew I wanted to be a woman with long hair and drew myself as one. I visualised my future through art,” she added. Kalki believes that the visibility of the artistic talent within the transgender community will motivate them to pursue it further. “Many in the transgender community are mainly identified as beggars and sex workers. If their art reaches the masses, if it sells, they can be motivated to pursue art as a career instead. The acceptance of their creativity will give them an opportunity to turn their lives around, and it yields that power,” she shared. The exhibition at the Bangalore International Centre Pointing at a painting of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, Kalki expressed that she has been an inspiration for many in the transgender community. Kahlo is considered one of the greatest artists in modern times, and did not let herself be defined by her disability. This inspires many from the community to not let one aspect of their life govern who they are or decide their identity, according to Kalki. “Frida Kahlo was a bisexual woman, an icon for the LGBTQIA+ community. Apart from being a person with disabilities, she also could not bear any children. We, trans women, cannot bear children either but that does not make us less of a woman. Our identities are created by us, and, like Kahlo, we can be chefs, painters, dancers and much more. Being a trans woman is not our only identity,” she pointed out. One painting that stood out prominently in the room was a pop-art portrait of Kim Taehyung, a popular Korean singer and member of the boy band BTS. “BTS, the band has always promoted love. They have shown their support for the LGBTQIA+ community and have also constantly advocated gender fluidity through their music and through just being themselves. They have constantly strived to promote inclusivity and I thought I had to pay a tribute to them,” Kalki said. She added that she feels indebted to people who send love to her community, and the paintings on display were their way of giving some love back. Kalki Subramaniam with her fans Kalki noted that the Indian society is changing, from being cold and aloof to accepting of the community, but there are still times when they face discrimination. The community remains hopeful that they will be able to move away from stereotypes associated with them. The Sahodari Foundation sells their artwork online, which you can find here. Through the sale of the paintings displayed in the exhibitions, Sahodari Foundation aims to empower and educate young and vulnerable transgender persons. The exhibition was done in collaboration with the Inner Wheel Club. “We are not just 'others' as mentioned in some government identity applications. We are more. We claim our space,” the foundation mentioned in an Instagram post, about the title of their exhibition ‘We are not the Others’.
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WHO team: Coronavirus unlikely to have leaked from Chinese lab
The Wuhan Institute of Virology has collected extensive virus samples, leading to allegations that it may have caused the outbreak by leaking the virus into the community.
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Keep beef on the menu: Karnataka officials seek exemption from ban for zoo animals
Big cats like tigers and lions were put on a chicken diet during the coronavirus-induced lockdown, but only due to non-availability of beef.
Representational image
With the stringent new anti-cattle slaughter law in place in Karnataka, zoos in the state have sought an exemption from the law owing to health concerns of big cats like tigers and lions, that are traditionally fed beef. Speaking with TNM, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Member Secretary, Zoo Authority of Karnataka, BP Ravi, said, “We have submitted to the government through proper channels to give us an exemption from this law after discussing with our department higher authorities. We have also discussed this with animal husbandry department officials.” Ravi said that historically, lions and tigers in the state’s zoos – like elsewhere in the country – were only given beef. It was only during crises such as during the coronavirus-induced lockdown for two months that the animals were given chicken due to unavailability of beef. “During the lockdown, we could not source beef for the big cats in Bannerghatta zoo and we had fed them chicken. At that time the animals had put on weight, but epidemiologically, there was no change. We had confirmed this with blood tests done on animals across the state. But if these animals will only have to be given chicken long term, it may be a cause for concern,” he added. Vanishree Vipin Singh, executive director of Bengaluru Bannerghatta Biological Park, concurred. “Large carnivores like leopards, lions and tigers are traditionally given beef because they eat red meat if they are in the wild. For smaller carnivores like wolves, wild dogs and jackals, it is not much of an issue,” she said. On Monday, the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill 2020 was passed in the Legislative Council under controversial circumstances. The law was earlier cleared in the state Assembly in December 2020. The Bill was passed in the Council with voice vote even though the Congress had sought for a division of votes. The BJP has only 31 members in the Assembly, and hence would have needed the support of the JD(S) which has 13 members. The Congress has 29 members. However, the rules are already in effect with the Governor Vajubhai Vala promulgating the ordinance on January 5 on the same issue, based on the advice of the state cabinet. Read: Karnataka anti-cattle slaughter bill passed in Legislative Council Karnataka beef ban: Beyond restaurant menu, here's how things will change
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Wistron looking to resume operations in Apple iPhone plant near Bengaluru
Apple in a statement said that company officials and independent auditors are on site to ensure new systems are put in place.
File image/PTI
Production at the Apple iPhone manufacturing plant in Kolar district near Bengaluru run by Taiwanese manufacturer Wistron is set to begin soon for the first time after the facility was shut in December, 2020 after incidents of violence. TNM had reported how on December 12, some workers at the facility took to vandalism after their repeated complaints about pending salaries and indiscriminate pay cuts fell to deaf ears. Reuters quoted a company statement as saying, “We are looking forward to restarting our operations and welcoming back team members and we thank them for their patience and support as we worked through corrective actions,” Read: Wistron iPhone plant violence: Workers say months of pent-up anger behind outburst In a statement, Apple on Tuesday, said, "For the past eight weeks, teams across Apple, along with independent auditors, have been working with Wistron to make sure the necessary systems and processes are in place at their Narasapura facility. A comprehensive set of corrective actions has now been completed and Wistron has restructured their recruiting team and enhanced training and support for workers. As Wistron begins the process of hiring team members and restarting their operations, everyone at the facility will undergo a new training program to ensure they understand their rights and how they can raise any concerns. Apple employees and independent auditors will remain on site to validate that the new processes are effective.” “We are dedicated to ensuring that workers are protected and treated with dignity and respect. Wistron remains on probation and we will monitor their progress closely,” the statement added. Read: Wistron admits lapses at Kolar iPhone plant, sacks India Vice President Subsequent scrutiny to the violence and its causes found Wistron guilty of violating several labour laws and saw its Vice President (innovation business group) of Wistron Infocomm Manufacturing India, Vincent Lee removed as a disciplinary action. The company had also set up a 24-hour grievance helpline as a corrective measure. As a fall out of the same, Apple had also demoted Wiston to probationary status for violating its ‘Supplier Code of Conduct’. Also read: Apple puts Wistron on probation, no new business till corrective actions are taken Losses from Wistron violence drastically downgraded from Rs 437 cr to Rs 52 cr. Here's why
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Karnataka private schools ask govt to cap fee cut at 15%, demand grants
Suresh Kumar had said that schools cannot ask parents to pay more than 70% of the tuition fees for the academic year 2020-21.
School associations from across all boards have urged the state government to limit the total fee cut to 15% in a memorandum submitted by them, on Monday. They cited that slashing school charges will affect their ability to pay their staff and run operations of the school smoothly. Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar on January 29, had said that schools cannot ask parents to pay more than 70% of the tuition fees for the academic year 2020-2021. Further, schools were ordered to halt any other payments like development fees over the tuition fee. The representatives of Independent Schools’ Federation of India, Karnataka ICSE Schools’ Association and Association of Managements of Primary & Secondary Schools of Karnataka met the Medical education Minister on Monday to discuss the same. PT Joseph, senior Vice president of the Independent Schools’ Federation of India, an association of CBSE and ICSE schools said that there should be no distinction between total fees and tuition fees. He further added that if schools were only allowed to collect tuition fees and give 30 % concession in that amount, nothing will be left for the schools. In a conversation with TNM, Joseph told, “The schools had already divided the fees on a 50-50 basis. With the halting of payment of activities, the 50% fee has already gone. If we give a concession of a further 30% in tuition fees, we are left with 25% to pay the staff and run the school operations. Coupled with implementation of the RTE policy, the schools are struggling financially. We want them to help our teachers and help us mitigate financial constraints.” The government has only consulted parents, leaving out the other two stakeholders, the school management and the teachers, said Joseph. The Associations also highlighted that the government had earlier stopped the annual increase in fees In the memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister of Karnataka BS Yediyurappa, the associations stated that they demand, in lieu of the fee concession given to the parents, a grant to the school from the government in order to pay the salaries of teacher apart from asking for a concession of not more than 15%. “Normally, 60 to 75% of the total fees collected is used for salary and wages. Under this order of the government, no unaided private school cannot survive,” the memorandum states. They also requested a waiver of property tax and electricity, telephone and water charges on compassionate grounds.
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