Blurred Advertising
Read More
Sanity Break #1
What is this image? Is it some kind of map? Actually, yes, but not the usual kind. This is ‘the topography of tears’—extremely close up images of dried human tears of every kind. Basal tears that lubricate our eyes, psychic tears that we shed in emotion, and reflex tears that drip down our chin when we cut an onion. The above are ‘’. See the rest of the series or read this profile of the artist, Rose-Lynn Fisher, who says of the subject of her art: “Tears are the medium of our most primal language in moments as unrelenting as death, as basic as hunger and as complex as a rite of passage. It’s as though each one of our tears carries a microcosm of the collective human experience, like one drop of an ocean.”
Headlines that matter
US NRIS DISS TRUMP, HEART MODI A new survey finds that 72% of Indian Americans plan to vote for Joe Biden—compared to only 22% for Trump. Faring better with NRI voters: PM Modi. Almost half (48%) approve of his performance while 32% disapprove. That said, those voting for Biden have a less favourable view of PM Modi—rating him 52 out of 100—than those voting for Trump (76/100). Also: Kamala Harris made of those surveyed more enthusiastic about voting for Biden. has more details. See the entire . THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC: A QUICK UPDATE * Facebook is banning ads that discourage people from getting a vaccination. Still allowed: “Ads that advocate for or against legislation or government policies around vaccines—including a COVID-19 vaccine.” Read the . * Melania Trump revealed that tested positive for Covid along with his parents—but remained asymptomatic and is now infection-free. * An investigation reveals that Rs 157 crore from Union government staff salaries were donated in the form of “voluntary contributions” to the PM CARES fund—of this 93% were given by railway employees. * Russia has now approved a . It too has not passed stage 3 human trials, kinda like Sputnik (explained ). * A found that there is low risk of a mother passing the infection to a newborn baby as long as she takes the right precautions—wearing a mask, washing hands, breasts with soap etc. * Covid has destroyed the global mobility of Indians. We can now travel to countries without a confirmed visa—compared to 61 in Jan. For Americans, that number has dropped far more precipitously—from 185 to 75. * The good days are back for tech workers at least. Infosys is the latest big company (after TCS) to and promotions starting January 1. * Movie theatres are set to reopen today after a seven-month drought. Bloomberg via reports on why some theatre owners and moviegoers are feeling bullish. JOCKEY’S INDIAN PARTNER UNDER INVESTIGATION A US apparel industry watchdog is investigating human rights abuse allegations at a Bangalore factory owned by Page Industries—which is the exclusive licensee for Jockey wear in India and six other countries. Norway’s $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund has already dropped Page from its investment portfolio. The company is in danger of losing its Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) certification—and therefore, the partnership with Jockey, which is a member of WRAP. () GOOD/BAD NEWS FOR WILDLIFE * The Supreme Court has directed the demolition of 39 resorts in the Mudumalai reserve—which were blocking critical elephant corridors that connect the Eastern and Western Ghats. () * A new study found that the Great Barrier Reef has lost half its corals since 1995. () * Mount Kilimanjaro is on fire. There have been no deaths due to the wildfire, but there is no news on its effect on animals. has photos. * Last but not least: This gorgeous Amur Tiger embracing a tree is the winner of Wildlife Photographer of the Year. More on the . The other entries . GLAMOUR’S PICK FOR WOMAN OF THE YEAR IS… This year, the fashion magazine made an unprecedented break from tradition, and : > “Because in this period of tremendous upheaval, we know who the most influential women on the planet are: It’s you. In your > families, in your communities, in your power to choose new leadership at the ballot box—you are making a difference. > > > > And so you—yes, you—have earned an award. Not for thriving. Not for ‘making the most’ of quarantine or lockdown. Not even for > handling this impossible era with grace. You’ve earned an award just for getting through it, tears, tantrums, and all.” See the lovely celebratory cover below. Also making a change: The We Company, but this one is more of a ‘back to the future’ kind: “We want to be strategic. We want to be innovative. We want to be impactful. We want to be WeWork.” () STRICT TRAFFIC LAWS ARE A DUD The changes to the Motor Vehicles Act in 2019 were supposed to make our roads safer. Here’s what happened instead: road accidents rose in 37% of cities, as did deaths (128,798) due to dangerous driving and speeding. takes a closer look at the dismal data. In related automotive news: Maruti is getting ready to launch five new SUVs starting in 2021—and the first will be in partnership with Toyota. Because the world and our lungs really need more SUVs. () Speaking of car-makers: HBO is making a limited series on Elon Musk, but this will focus not on Tesla but his other pet project: SpaceX. () INDIA TODAY’S NEW GAG ORDER The company has put on its employees, contractors and pretty much anyone who is receiving a dime from its payroll. > “To maintain our Group’s reputation for impartiality, no journalist should share their personal political views on any social > media platform. > > > > If you are in contract with the India Today Group (Full time, Part time, Consultant, Retainer, or Third Party), your personal > handles can ONLY be used to post content or promotion that belongs to the Group and has been used in print, digital or on air > and retweet that which is put on the Group’s own handles. This means no replies, no retweets, unless it is our own content, even > if you are tagged. You can only reply with an ITG (India Today Group) content story if you like.” Delicious parting note of irony: “This is not, by any means, a breach of your right to expression or freedom of the press.” A MOMENT OF IPL HAPPINESS Rajasthan Royals’ Jofra Archer dismissed Delhi Capitals’ Prithvi Shaw for a golden duck—and celebrated with this impromptu with his buddy Riyan Parag, who played domestic cricket in Assam and likely taught him this winning move.
Sanity Break #2
This is a of British singer Tanya Wells singing ‘Dama Dam Mast Kalandar’ on a street in Dubai. We just discovered it when it went viral again. And it is truly lovely. (h/t subscriber Indrani Chakraverty)
Feel Good Place
Elephant: 1. Baba Ramdev: 0. Dancing in the streets… the not-David Bowie version Wok ‘n’ Roll—open Gangnam style! TBH, we’re a little afraid.
I recommend
I RECOMMEND EDITOR’S NOTE Rakhi Chakraborty is a journalist and copywriter who moonlights as a creativity coach. She runs a community for writers on Instagram . She is also an enthusiastic splainer subscriber and supporter. We recently discovered her passion for unearthing life stories of brilliant but long-forgotten women, and asked her to pick three of her favourite discoveries. Reading about kickass things women did way back when is a particular hobby of mine. It began as an attempt to inspire myself to stop stewing in ennui, not take my privileges for granted and do something worthwhile with my life. But it has morphed into a passion project of discovery and curiosity as I time-travel to learn about different intrepid heroines of history whose names and achievements have faded to a soft whisper. GERTRUDE BELL Chances are you’ve heard of Lawrence of Arabia even if you’ve never seen the or are unfamiliar with his claim to fame. Yet, of his equally inspirational contemporary, Gertrude Bell, Hollywood offers this passing mention in ‘’: “But can we get through those mountains?” “The Bell maps show a way.” “Let’s hope he was right.” Heh!! That’s short shrift for a woman who was an archaeologist, spy, Arabist, linguist, poet, author, photographer, cartographer—and one of the best mountaineers of her age. She was one of the key players who helped shape what we know as the Middle East today. T.E. Lawrence may have kickstarted the Arab revolt, but it was Gertrude Bell who helped pave the Arab route to nationhood. She did all this great style—a pistol strapped to her calf under silk petticoats, the cartridge wrapped in white stockings. and pushed into the toes of her canvas boots. To learn more about “the most powerful woman of her time in the British empire,” please do not watch the starring Nicole Kidman. I instead recommend: * , a documentary on her life produced and voiced by Tilda Swinton. * , a fabulously researched and well-written biography by Georgina Howell. If you’re looking for something quick: , an article on her life in the Guardian. ISABELLA BIRD Women have been undertaking epic excursions alone long before Instagram came along. My favourite among them is the aptly named Ms. Bird. Born and brought up in a religious middle-class household in Victorian England, Isabella survived a depressive childhood and nondescript youth before deciding that there must be more to life than corsets and teatime. At the age of 40—plagued by depression and a spinal injury—she set off to explore the world’s most remote and inhospitable corners. She hiked to the peak of an active volcano in Hawaii, rode solo across Iran and—at age 70!—galloped across the Atlas Mountains of Morocco on a black stallion. She wrote delightful travel books based on her adventures and was the first female fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. If you want to learn more about her, I recommend: * by Pat Barr which offers a nuanced and sensitive portrait of her life. * Evelyn Kaye’s biography has less detail but is brimming with photos. * Thinking of an inspirational gift for a child? Pick up a copy of the delightful . Or start them off with this . To whet your curiosity, check out of China taken in 1890 while she traveled across the country by boat! PRINCESS SOPHIA DULEEP SINGH Princess Sophia Duleep Singh was the granddaughter of the Sher-e-Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Her father, Maharaja Duleep Singh, lost his kingdom and the Koh-i-noor to Queen Victoria. Exiled to England, he soon became the favourite of the queen, who later became godmother to his second youngest child, Sophia. Eventually abandoned by her alcoholic and destitute father, Sophia would be raised in boarding schools under the tutelage of Victoria—and grew up to become a fabulously stylish socialite until a forbidden visit to India changed her life. When she died, Sophia had spent a lifetime as a dedicated British suffragette who took on the most powerful men in the Empire, including Winston Churchill and King George V. by Anita Anand tells the mythic, near unbelievable story of her life. For a quick taste, read Anand’s . Bonus recommendation: Fatma Begum, India’s first woman director and producer—who is also an inspiration to . Check out profile or read about her 1926 film ‘Bulbul-e-Paristan’—which would have been one of the first big-budget fantasy movies in the world. Note: This is NOT sponsored content. We use this section to spotlight the recommendations of people we trust and admire. Elephant: 1. Baba Ramdev: 0. Dancing in the streets… the not-David Bowie version Wok ‘n’ Roll—open Gangnam style! TBH, we’re a little afraid.
