分类： society

China Daily’s Times’ Palette Studio has unveiled a remarkable project that encapsulates the essence of ‘Min Sheng’—the people’s livelihood—through a series of 24 illustrations. This initiative, launched during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), underscores the nation’s commitment to equitable development and the shared prosperity of Chinese-style modernization. The project employs ‘time’ as the warp and ‘Min Sheng’ as the weft, weaving a rich tapestry of life across 24 hours, each hour depicted in a standalone watercolor illustration. These scenes, though distinct, are interconnected, showcasing various aspects of China’s progress in economic development, education, healthcare, elder care, employment, technology, culture, agriculture, and national defense. Each illustration serves as a unique ‘Chinese expression,’ collectively forming a warm and expansive scroll of the people’s livelihood. From the vibrant neon lights of urban centers to the serene moon over borderlands, and from the precision of high-tech laboratories to the comforting aromas of street food vendors, these images vividly capture the warmth and resilience of Chinese life in the new era. The story unfolds through these 24 snapshots, each offering a window into a specific moment and facet of life in contemporary China.

A devastating minibus accident occurred on Friday morning on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, resulting in the deaths of five Chinese tourists and injuries to eight others. The incident took place as the vehicle was traveling from the southern to the northern part of the island on a winding, downhill road. According to Ida Bagus Widwan Sutadi, the police chief of Buleleng regency, the driver lost control of the minibus, causing it to veer off the asphalt road and crash into a community garden, where it struck a tree. Sutadi attributed the accident to the driver’s lack of caution while navigating the turn and descent. The road in the Padangbulia village area was dry at the time of the crash. The injured passengers were promptly treated at two local hospitals, while the Indonesian driver, who did not require medical attention, was arrested. This tragic event highlights the ongoing issue of road safety in Indonesia, where accidents are frequent due to inadequate safety standards and infrastructure.

In Gaotian village, Liuyang, Hunan province, a quiet revolution is underway, challenging long-held traditions about death and the human body. Xing Changxi, a 69-year-old farmer, became the first resident to register as an organ donor. Upon his passing in August, his family honored his final wish by donating his body to a medical school in Changsha, where it will serve as a ‘silent mentor’ for student doctors over the next three years. This act of selflessness has inspired a wave of similar commitments in the village. By September last year, 164 residents had registered as organ and body donors, a remarkable figure in a village of 7,200 people. Xing’s decision was sparked by a 2018 newspaper article highlighting how organ donations save lives and advance medical education. Despite initial skepticism and questions from villagers, Xing’s legacy has fostered a cultural shift. China’s voluntary organ donation system, established in 2010, has seen significant growth, with over 7.05 million registered donors and life-saving impacts on thousands of patients.

In a groundbreaking move, the southern Indian state of Karnataka has become the first in the country to introduce paid menstrual leave for all working women in formal employment. The policy, which applies to women aged 18 to 52 in both government and private sectors, allows for one day of leave per month, non-transferable and without the need for a medical certificate. This initiative is expected to benefit between 350,000 to 400,000 women in the formal sector, though it excludes the vast majority of women working in informal roles such as domestic help, daily-wage laborers, and gig workers—estimated at six million.

While the policy has been lauded as progressive by some, it has also ignited debates over potential gender bias and workplace equality. Critics argue that such measures could reinforce stereotypes, while proponents see it as a necessary step to address the physical and emotional challenges women face during menstruation.

Menstrual leave is not a novel concept globally, with countries like Spain, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia already offering similar provisions. In India, states like Bihar and Odisha provide limited menstrual leave for government employees, while Kerala extends it to university and industrial training institute staff. However, Karnataka’s policy stands out for its inclusion of the private sector, regardless of job type or contract.

Despite the policy’s progressive intent, its implementation faces challenges rooted in cultural taboos surrounding menstruation. In many parts of India, menstruation remains a stigmatized topic, with women often excluded from religious spaces or isolated at home during their periods. Social scientists argue that while policies like menstrual leave facilitate women, they do not necessarily empower them unless accompanied by broader societal change.

Efforts to destigmatize menstruation have included empathy exercises for men in Kerala, yet deep-seated biases persist. For instance, in 2018, protests erupted in Kerala against a Supreme Court ruling allowing menstruating women to enter the Sabarimala temple, one of India’s holiest shrines.

In Karnataka, some women view the policy as a step toward normalizing conversations about menstruation. “Calling it menstrual leave helps in fighting the stigma,” said Shreya Shree, a teacher in Bengaluru. Sapna S, an associate dean at Christ University and head of Karnataka’s menstrual leave committee, urged women to embrace the policy without hesitation, emphasizing the need to challenge societal conditioning.

As Karnataka leads the way, the policy’s success will depend on its acceptance and implementation across diverse workplaces, as well as broader efforts to dismantle the cultural taboos surrounding menstruation in India.

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Devastating landslides, triggered by relentless torrential rains, have claimed the lives of two individuals and left 21 others unaccounted for in Central Java, Indonesia, as confirmed by officials on Friday. The calamity struck on Thursday evening, engulfing numerous homes across three villages in the province. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that the region had been subjected to several days of intense rainfall, which destabilized the terrain and led to the catastrophic event. Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for the BNPB, highlighted the challenges faced by rescue teams due to the precarious ground conditions. Despite these obstacles, search and rescue operations persisted into Friday morning, with heavy machinery being deployed to expedite the efforts. Footage released by the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) depicted rescuers meticulously combing through the debris of collapsed homes, utilizing a combination of heavy equipment, extraction tools, and manual labor to access hard-to-reach areas. Indonesia, an archipelago comprising 17,000 islands, is no stranger to such disasters, particularly during the heavy seasonal rains that typically span from October to March. These rains often result in flooding and landslides, especially in mountainous regions and fertile floodplains where millions reside. This incident echoes a similar tragedy in January, when over 20 lives were lost to floods and landslides in Central Java following torrential downpours.

In a poignant ceremony at Qasr Al Hosn, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan honored Salem and Fatima Al Mansoori, the first Emirati family to donate their five-year-old daughter Zahia’s organs. Zahia’s heart saved the life of one child, while her kidneys went to another child and an adult patient. The Al Mansoori family’s selfless decision, made amidst their grief, has brought hope and awareness to the UAE’s Hayat organ donation programme. Dr. Ali Al Obeidli, chairman of the UAE National Transplant Committee, emphasized that organ transplants restore hope not only to patients but also to their families, creating a lasting legacy tied to Zahia’s name. The Abu Dhabi Awards, which celebrated its 20th anniversary, recognized the Al Mansooris alongside nine other individuals for their contributions to community development, education, healthcare, and culture. The event underscored the UAE’s commitment to generosity, unity, and social harmony, coinciding with the Year of Community. Since its inception, the Abu Dhabi Awards has honored 110 individuals from 18 nationalities, reflecting the nation’s enduring values of compassion and responsibility.

In Seosan, South Korea, Hwang Seong-yeol, a seasoned farmer with over three decades of experience, watched anxiously as a combine harvester navigated his waterlogged rice field. This marked the end of what he described as one of his most challenging farming seasons, plagued by erratic weather patterns attributed to climate change. Hwang is among five South Korean farmers who have filed a lawsuit against Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and its subsidiaries, accusing them of exacerbating climate change through their reliance on coal and fossil fuels, which has led to significant crop damage.

The lawsuit, the first of its kind in South Korea, raises critical questions about the accountability of power companies in driving climate change and the subsequent agricultural losses. Represented by Yeny Kim, a lawyer from the nonprofit Solutions for Our Climate, the plaintiffs argue that KEPCO’s excessive carbon emissions and slow transition to renewable energy have contributed to destabilized weather conditions. From 2011 to 2022, KEPCO and its subsidiaries were responsible for approximately 30% of South Korea’s greenhouse gas emissions and 0.4% of global emissions, according to Kim’s analysis.

The farmers are seeking initial compensation of 5 million won ($3,400) per client, with the amount subject to adjustment as the case progresses. Additionally, they are symbolically demanding 2,035 won ($1.4) each to urge the government to accelerate the phase-out of coal power plants by 2035, ahead of the current 2040 target. Despite KEPCO’s commitment to reducing emissions by 40% by 2030, experts argue that the utility’s mounting debt, exceeding 200 trillion won ($137 billion), hampers its ability to invest in renewable energy and modernize the power grid.

The lawsuit, while largely symbolic, highlights South Korea’s broader challenges in transitioning to cleaner energy. Renewable energy accounted for only 10.5% of the national energy mix in 2024, with KEPCO’s subsidiaries relying on coal for over 71% of their electricity production. Professor Yun Sun-Jin of Seoul National University emphasized the need for deregulating solar investments, expanding offshore wind energy, and ending KEPCO’s monopoly to encourage competition and innovation.

The impact of climate change extends beyond rice farming, affecting apple, tangerine, and strawberry growers across the country. Farmers face rising costs, increased labor, and lower yields as they grapple with pests, diseases, and extreme weather events. Ma Yong-un, an apple farmer in Hamyang, shared his struggles with prolonged heat and humidity, which have forced him to use more pesticides and protective measures to safeguard his crops. As South Korea’s agricultural sector confronts these challenges, the lawsuit serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic change to mitigate the effects of climate change on livelihoods and food security.

In 1967, a 22-year-old Kunhu Mohamed embarked on a life-changing journey from his hometown in Thrissur, India, to the UAE. With no passport, money, or certainty about the future, he boarded a wooden dhow named Khwaja Moideen, relying solely on faith and the wind to guide him. After a grueling 40-day voyage, he arrived near Dibba Al Baya in Oman, where he began his new life. From there, he made his way to Sharjah, a land of opportunity still in its infancy, with unpaved roads and endless possibilities. Mohamed’s early years in the UAE were marked by hard work and perseverance. He took on various jobs, from assisting a plumber to milking cows, always striving to do more than expected. His dedication caught the attention of Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the then Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, who employed him as a driver. This marked a turning point in Mohamed’s life. With the Sheikh’s support, he ventured into business, eventually founding Jaleel Holdings, a thriving enterprise in the foodstuff and FMCG distribution sector. Today, at 79, Mohamed continues to inspire with his humility and commitment to his employees. He attributes his success to faith, hard work, and the generosity of the UAE and its people. His story is a testament to the transformative power of determination and the opportunities that the UAE has offered to countless expatriates over the decades.