Women for justice

(AP)

12 March 2012

OPRAH WINFREY WAS embraced in a hug by longtime friend Diane von Furstenberg as she took to the stage to accept a ‘Lifetime Leadership’ honour at the third annual DVF awards.

“She is the most formidable person I have ever met in my life,” the designer and humanitarian said of Winfrey at the event, held Friday night at the United Nations. “What is extraordinary about Oprah is that she has done so much and yet she is still a little girl. She is still very pure and you can make her cry and laugh so quickly.”

Upon accepting the award, Winfrey was expected to talk about her career, but instead used the majority of her time to praise another honoree, Jaycee Dugard, who was abducted when she was 11 years old and held in captivity for 18 years by Phillip and Nancy Garrido. She was raped and gave birth to two children before she was eventually rescued. Her captors were convicted.

“I wanted to have the opportunity to meet her and to tell her how much her story and her life meant to me,” she explained. “I said to Diane, ‘I know Diane Sawyer should be the one to introduce her, but would you please let me do it.’” Winfrey went on to thank Sawyer, who was also in attendance, and praised the television special she did with Dugard.

“Jaycee Dugard, I am so proud of you, your courage, your ability to press onward toward the future and toward a more victorious life for yourself and for using your courage your strength and your power to show the world that you care,” Winfrey said.

Following Winfrey’s introduction, Dugard took to the stage, getting emotional as she thanked her mother for never giving up hope of finding her. She also spoke about her JAYC Foundation, which aims to give support to families dealing with abduction and other tragedies.

“My hope is to be remembered for what I do and not for what happened to me,” Dugard told the audience.

Earlier in the evening, presenter Jessica Alba showed off an acorn necklace she was given by Dugard. The necklace represents Dugard’s charity.

The DVF awards honour women who are courageous and fight for justice. Artist Panmela Castro, who battles against domestic violence; Chouchou Namegabe, who fights for women’s issues in her native Congo; and Layli Miller-Muro who founded the Tahirih Justice Center, which protects women from human rights abuses, were also honoured.

Each honoree receives a $50,000 award from the foundation.

The awards were part of the festivities surrounding the Women In the World conference.

Women for justice

(AP)

12 March 2012

OPRAH WINFREY WAS embraced in a hug by longtime friend Diane von Furstenberg as she took to the stage to accept a ‘Lifetime Leadership’ honour at the third annual DVF awards.

“She is the most formidable person I have ever met in my life,” the designer and humanitarian said of Winfrey at the event, held Friday night at the United Nations. “What is extraordinary about Oprah is that she has done so much and yet she is still a little girl. She is still very pure and you can make her cry and laugh so quickly.”

Upon accepting the award, Winfrey was expected to talk about her career, but instead used the majority of her time to praise another honoree, Jaycee Dugard, who was abducted when she was 11 years old and held in captivity for 18 years by Phillip and Nancy Garrido. She was raped and gave birth to two children before she was eventually rescued. Her captors were convicted.

“I wanted to have the opportunity to meet her and to tell her how much her story and her life meant to me,” she explained. “I said to Diane, ‘I know Diane Sawyer should be the one to introduce her, but would you please let me do it.’” Winfrey went on to thank Sawyer, who was also in attendance, and praised the television special she did with Dugard.

“Jaycee Dugard, I am so proud of you, your courage, your ability to press onward toward the future and toward a more victorious life for yourself and for using your courage your strength and your power to show the world that you care,” Winfrey said.

Following Winfrey’s introduction, Dugard took to the stage, getting emotional as she thanked her mother for never giving up hope of finding her. She also spoke about her JAYC Foundation, which aims to give support to families dealing with abduction and other tragedies.

“My hope is to be remembered for what I do and not for what happened to me,” Dugard told the audience.

Earlier in the evening, presenter Jessica Alba showed off an acorn necklace she was given by Dugard. The necklace represents Dugard’s charity.

The DVF awards honour women who are courageous and fight for justice. Artist Panmela Castro, who battles against domestic violence; Chouchou Namegabe, who fights for women’s issues in her native Congo; and Layli Miller-Muro who founded the Tahirih Justice Center, which protects women from human rights abuses, were also honoured.

Each honoree receives a $50,000 award from the foundation.

The awards were part of the festivities surrounding the Women In the World conference.

Ministry calls for wage protection registration

Ahmed Al Majaida

11 March 2012

DUBAI — Registration of employees under the Wage Protection System (WPS) is essential to review labour issues and easy transactions, said Humaid bin Deemas, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour.

“I’m not saying that  WPS registration will solve all problems for companies, but it will make transactions easier if there are issues to be taken up with the labour ministry,” he said during an open-day last week.

He made this opinion after receiving an application by an Emirati man who had asked for a reduction in fine on his three firms. Deemas asked him about the firms and how many workers are employed there.

Surprisingly the man was not sure about the figures, claiming that his partner knows everything. “Being an irresponsible sponsor will lead to many difficulties and problems. However, I will look into the case if you are registered in the WPS. If not, I am sorry. Fines will have to be paid, and they keep increasing day by day,” Deemas said.

Another case included an Indian man who works in a company that was closed.

“Managers of the company shut it down and left. I have mouths to feed and I urge you to waive the one year ban imposed on me,” the man said. Deemas said the rules must be adhered to. “You must travel outside the country to complete the ban.

We can’t help you, it’s the government’s rules.”

In another case,  a man who worked without a university degree said he was asked to move out after a new owner took over the firm where he worked.

“I have been fired once the new manager came into the company.

However, I have managed to convince him that I have experience, and so he accepted.

Can you lift the ban?,” he asked. To this, Deemas said the owner must appear at the ministry with a letter stating that his experience is enough to qualify him to work with the company again. “We can then look into your case,” he said.

Answering to a plea by a businessman, Deemas said multiple company owners face the risk of all their transactions being blocked if they did not clear labour fines for one of their firms.

The businessman requested the ministry to remove a restriction imposed on transactions of his companies. 

“One of the four companies has some fines regarding some labour issues, why block the rest?,” he asked.

Deemas answered: “If you had 100 companies and only one had some fine issues, transactions of the other 99 companies will be blocked until you fix the problem.

“If you can’t pay the fines, you can close that company and cancel your workers’ visas, not forgetting that you have to pay their end of services benefits.  After six months from cancellation we will look into the issue,” Deemas said.

ahmedjamal@khaleejtimes.com

Ministry calls for wage protection registration

Ahmed Al Majaida

11 March 2012

DUBAI — Registration of employees under the Wage Protection System (WPS) is essential to review labour issues and easy transactions, said Humaid bin Deemas, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour.

“I’m not saying that  WPS registration will solve all problems for companies, but it will make transactions easier if there are issues to be taken up with the labour ministry,” he said during an open-day last week.

He made this opinion after receiving an application by an Emirati man who had asked for a reduction in fine on his three firms. Deemas asked him about the firms and how many workers are employed there.

Surprisingly the man was not sure about the figures, claiming that his partner knows everything. “Being an irresponsible sponsor will lead to many difficulties and problems. However, I will look into the case if you are registered in the WPS. If not, I am sorry. Fines will have to be paid, and they keep increasing day by day,” Deemas said.

Another case included an Indian man who works in a company that was closed.

“Managers of the company shut it down and left. I have mouths to feed and I urge you to waive the one year ban imposed on me,” the man said. Deemas said the rules must be adhered to. “You must travel outside the country to complete the ban.

We can’t help you, it’s the government’s rules.”

In another case,  a man who worked without a university degree said he was asked to move out after a new owner took over the firm where he worked.

“I have been fired once the new manager came into the company.

However, I have managed to convince him that I have experience, and so he accepted.

Can you lift the ban?,” he asked. To this, Deemas said the owner must appear at the ministry with a letter stating that his experience is enough to qualify him to work with the company again. “We can then look into your case,” he said.

Answering to a plea by a businessman, Deemas said multiple company owners face the risk of all their transactions being blocked if they did not clear labour fines for one of their firms.

The businessman requested the ministry to remove a restriction imposed on transactions of his companies. 

“One of the four companies has some fines regarding some labour issues, why block the rest?,” he asked.

Deemas answered: “If you had 100 companies and only one had some fine issues, transactions of the other 99 companies will be blocked until you fix the problem.

“If you can’t pay the fines, you can close that company and cancel your workers’ visas, not forgetting that you have to pay their end of services benefits.  After six months from cancellation we will look into the issue,” Deemas said.

ahmedjamal@khaleejtimes.com

Ready to face the exams?

DHARINI KRISHNAN

SHARE  ·   COMMENT   ·   PRINT   ·   T+  

MUNCH AWAY On crunchy tomatoes and cucumber

Appearing for the Board exams? Here's how to keep alert and fit

It is best to keep meals simple and light on the tummy. Heavy meals result in disturbed sleep.

Smart snacking refreshes the body and keeps students alert and awake.

WHAT TO EAT:

l Ensure that meals are small and simple.

l Snack on crunchy salads such as lettuce, carrot, tomato and cucumber.

l Juicy fruits help de-toxify and de-stress. Eat oranges, pears, apples and papaya).

l Roasted grams such as groundnut and Bengal gram are a good idea.

l Snack on mixed dry fruits, but only around 10 pieces at a time.

WORDS OF CAUTION

Children are stressed and, therefore, their immunity is low. Eating out can result in stomach infection or viral attacks. It's best to eat home-cooked food that's clean and hygienically prepared. High-calorie or high-fat foods can make children sleepy and prevent them from concentrating on their studies.

WHAT TO AVOID

l Fried foods.

l Greasy, high-calorie desserts.

l Skip junk food.

l Avoid eating out, especially in not-so-hygienic joints

l Do NOT drink juices sold at roadside eateries.

SOME GENERAL ADVICE

Mark the exam dates and subjects on the calendar and take a look at it every morning.

Keep track of the day and time so that one does not miss out on an exam.

Consultant Dietician Chennai

Ready to face the exams?

DHARINI KRISHNAN

SHARE  ·   COMMENT   ·   PRINT   ·   T+  

MUNCH AWAY On crunchy tomatoes and cucumber

Appearing for the Board exams? Here's how to keep alert and fit

It is best to keep meals simple and light on the tummy. Heavy meals result in disturbed sleep.

Smart snacking refreshes the body and keeps students alert and awake.

WHAT TO EAT:

l Ensure that meals are small and simple.

l Snack on crunchy salads such as lettuce, carrot, tomato and cucumber.

l Juicy fruits help de-toxify and de-stress. Eat oranges, pears, apples and papaya).

l Roasted grams such as groundnut and Bengal gram are a good idea.

l Snack on mixed dry fruits, but only around 10 pieces at a time.

WORDS OF CAUTION

Children are stressed and, therefore, their immunity is low. Eating out can result in stomach infection or viral attacks. It's best to eat home-cooked food that's clean and hygienically prepared. High-calorie or high-fat foods can make children sleepy and prevent them from concentrating on their studies.

WHAT TO AVOID

l Fried foods.

l Greasy, high-calorie desserts.

l Skip junk food.

l Avoid eating out, especially in not-so-hygienic joints

l Do NOT drink juices sold at roadside eateries.

SOME GENERAL ADVICE

Mark the exam dates and subjects on the calendar and take a look at it every morning.

Keep track of the day and time so that one does not miss out on an exam.

Consultant Dietician Chennai

Beauty's more than skin deep

HEMA VIJAY

Chemicals in cosmetics, wearing the wrong footwear or synthetic fabrics...Hema Vijay alerts women to the health hazards they are exposed to in their quest for beauty

Most of us are aware that women give comfort and wellness a toss in their quest for beauty. The extent they go to for this is something that can barely be imagined! The image women have of a perfect body challenges their sense of self.

While today, women's liberation may encompass everything from the right to recite the Vedas to the right to visit a discotheque, the need to conform to society's standards of beauty is something many women would not challenge.

Somehow, beauty is equated with looks, not personality. “It is a pity that our young women — and older ones too — are influenced by the dictates of beauty. More so, when the concept of beauty is itself manipulated by so many factors, including market forces,” points out Lakshmi Vijaykumar, clinical psychiatrist and founder, Sneha.

HIGH RISK

Compared to threading, waxing and other such processes, which are at the most painful or cause a rash, physical beauty aids such as high-heeled footwear pose a risk far worse than an embarrassing fall. “They can cause chronic heel pain, lower back pain and discomfort, besides postural change,” says Madhu Thottappillil, orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist. He goes on to add, “Every week, I see four to five cases of high heel-related ankle injury — which is a huge number. To wear high heels, one needs to have a high degree of fitness and sense of balance”. Since it can take two or three weeks for the injury to heal, the wearer is immobilised for quite some time.

NOT A WISE OPTION

Likewise, tight-fitting clothes, especially synthetic ones, are not a wise option. “They prevent air circulation, raise humidity and pave the way for vaginal and urinary infections. Some oestrogen-progesterone pills prescribed for getting rid of pimples and making the skin glow can result in pigmentation or an increase in weight,” says Alpa Khakhar, consultant uro-gynaecologist, Apollo Hospitals.

Many cosmetics contain toxic chemicals that include not just pesticides, but also carcinogens, and ingredients that disrupt endocrine and other body functions. Just as our skin absorbs these ingredients our bodies too would absorb them if we were to swallow them. In fact, this toxic intake is a cause for more concern than the trace contaminants found in food and water because the chemicals in cosmetics are the basic ingredients. Sometimes, the key ingredients in a concoction may be harmless, but the solvent or preservative used in it could make it dangerous. One can imagine the state of affairs in the Indian cosmetics scenario, considering that even in the so-called regulated markets such as the U.S., cosmetics and their ingredients are not subject to FDA regulation (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), with the exception of colour additives. In fact, the U.S.'s Environmental Working Group (EWG) has stated in its Skin Deep Cosmetics Safety Database: 6 that ‘More than one-third of all personal care products contains at least one ingredient linked to cancer'.

A safer alternative would be to use time-tested cosmetics developed in the kitchen — curd as a cleanser; a milk-honey mixture as a moisturiser; coconut water and aloe vera sap as a skin nourisher; fenugreek powder/shikakai-moong dal powder in water as a shampoo gel, and moong dal powder in water as a bath scrub, fresh fruit packs, or drinking 10-12 glasses of warm water for better circulation and skin.

Some toxic ingredients in cosmetics:

* Formaldehyde (methylene glycol) used in hair straightening/ smoothening creams is carcinogenic and can cause asthma-like symptoms and dermatitis

* Preservatives such as BHA can be cancerous and impact developmental, reproductive and endocrine function.

* Lithium hydroxide, a pH adjuster, affects developmental, neural and reproductive tissues.

* P-phenylenediamine in hair colorants can be carcinogenic.

* Carcinogenic coal tar ingredients in dark hair dyes

* Kohl, kajal, al-kahl, or surma in eye cosmetics is often contaminated with lead, aluminium and antimony, and can lead to neurological damage, learning and behaviour problems, seizures, anaemia, kidney problems and more.

* Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), a plasticiser used in nail care products, can cause birth defects and reproductive problems.

* Solvent toluene and phthalates (in nail polish, fragrances and personal care products) may cause reproductive and developmental problems.

* Cancer-causing 1,4-dioxane, found in baby shampoo.

* Hydroquinone, a skin-bleaching ingredient, can be carcinogenic and cause ochronosis, a skin disease

Beauty's more than skin deep

HEMA VIJAY

Chemicals in cosmetics, wearing the wrong footwear or synthetic fabrics...Hema Vijay alerts women to the health hazards they are exposed to in their quest for beauty

Most of us are aware that women give comfort and wellness a toss in their quest for beauty. The extent they go to for this is something that can barely be imagined! The image women have of a perfect body challenges their sense of self.

While today, women's liberation may encompass everything from the right to recite the Vedas to the right to visit a discotheque, the need to conform to society's standards of beauty is something many women would not challenge.

Somehow, beauty is equated with looks, not personality. “It is a pity that our young women — and older ones too — are influenced by the dictates of beauty. More so, when the concept of beauty is itself manipulated by so many factors, including market forces,” points out Lakshmi Vijaykumar, clinical psychiatrist and founder, Sneha.

HIGH RISK

Compared to threading, waxing and other such processes, which are at the most painful or cause a rash, physical beauty aids such as high-heeled footwear pose a risk far worse than an embarrassing fall. “They can cause chronic heel pain, lower back pain and discomfort, besides postural change,” says Madhu Thottappillil, orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist. He goes on to add, “Every week, I see four to five cases of high heel-related ankle injury — which is a huge number. To wear high heels, one needs to have a high degree of fitness and sense of balance”. Since it can take two or three weeks for the injury to heal, the wearer is immobilised for quite some time.

NOT A WISE OPTION

Likewise, tight-fitting clothes, especially synthetic ones, are not a wise option. “They prevent air circulation, raise humidity and pave the way for vaginal and urinary infections. Some oestrogen-progesterone pills prescribed for getting rid of pimples and making the skin glow can result in pigmentation or an increase in weight,” says Alpa Khakhar, consultant uro-gynaecologist, Apollo Hospitals.

Many cosmetics contain toxic chemicals that include not just pesticides, but also carcinogens, and ingredients that disrupt endocrine and other body functions. Just as our skin absorbs these ingredients our bodies too would absorb them if we were to swallow them. In fact, this toxic intake is a cause for more concern than the trace contaminants found in food and water because the chemicals in cosmetics are the basic ingredients. Sometimes, the key ingredients in a concoction may be harmless, but the solvent or preservative used in it could make it dangerous. One can imagine the state of affairs in the Indian cosmetics scenario, considering that even in the so-called regulated markets such as the U.S., cosmetics and their ingredients are not subject to FDA regulation (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), with the exception of colour additives. In fact, the U.S.'s Environmental Working Group (EWG) has stated in its Skin Deep Cosmetics Safety Database: 6 that ‘More than one-third of all personal care products contains at least one ingredient linked to cancer'.

A safer alternative would be to use time-tested cosmetics developed in the kitchen — curd as a cleanser; a milk-honey mixture as a moisturiser; coconut water and aloe vera sap as a skin nourisher; fenugreek powder/shikakai-moong dal powder in water as a shampoo gel, and moong dal powder in water as a bath scrub, fresh fruit packs, or drinking 10-12 glasses of warm water for better circulation and skin.

Some toxic ingredients in cosmetics:

* Formaldehyde (methylene glycol) used in hair straightening/ smoothening creams is carcinogenic and can cause asthma-like symptoms and dermatitis

* Preservatives such as BHA can be cancerous and impact developmental, reproductive and endocrine function.

* Lithium hydroxide, a pH adjuster, affects developmental, neural and reproductive tissues.

* P-phenylenediamine in hair colorants can be carcinogenic.

* Carcinogenic coal tar ingredients in dark hair dyes

* Kohl, kajal, al-kahl, or surma in eye cosmetics is often contaminated with lead, aluminium and antimony, and can lead to neurological damage, learning and behaviour problems, seizures, anaemia, kidney problems and more.

* Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), a plasticiser used in nail care products, can cause birth defects and reproductive problems.

* Solvent toluene and phthalates (in nail polish, fragrances and personal care products) may cause reproductive and developmental problems.

* Cancer-causing 1,4-dioxane, found in baby shampoo.

* Hydroquinone, a skin-bleaching ingredient, can be carcinogenic and cause ochronosis, a skin disease

16 TN fishermen injured in 'attack by Lankan navy'

Posted on: 11 Mar 2012

RAMESWARAM (TN): Sixteen fishermen from this island were injured in a mid-sea attack allegedly by Sri Lankan Naval personnel while fishing near the international maritime boundary line ( IMBL) in the Palk Strait, police said.

The Lankan Naval personnel allegedly attacked the fishermen with wooden logs, stones, bottles resulting in fracture to a 25-year old fisherman and bruises and bleeding injuries to others last night, police said.

Mathiazhagan, who suffered the fracture, has been admitted to the government hospital here while several other fishermen, whose back were swollen with weals and bruises, were treated at private hospitals, they said.

Mathiazhagan said it was a 'brutal' attack by the Lankan navalmen who surrounded 25 boats of the fishermen. 'They damaged the boats, snapped the fishing nets and lashed us with logs and pelted stones,' he said.

A fisheries department official described the attack as a violation of human rights.

Local fishermen association leaders Sesu and Devaraj alleged the Sri Lankans, who had come in a Naval ship, intimidated and frightened the fishermen.

The two slammed the Centre for remaining 'mute spectator' to the recurring attacks on fishermen of Tamil Nadu.

Referring to the prompt action taken in recent incidents of killing of two fishermen off Kerala coast by Marines onboard Italian oil tanker and hit-and-run case allegedly involving a Singapore flagged ship, they sought to know 'Why the Government is silent even after 300 fishermen had been killed by the Lankan Naval men (over the recent years).'

They also demanded that the government take steps to recover the fish catch seized by Sri Lankan navalmen and also file a case for attacking 'innocent' fishermen.
PTI

16 TN fishermen injured in 'attack by Lankan navy'

Posted on: 11 Mar 2012

RAMESWARAM (TN): Sixteen fishermen from this island were injured in a mid-sea attack allegedly by Sri Lankan Naval personnel while fishing near the international maritime boundary line ( IMBL) in the Palk Strait, police said.

The Lankan Naval personnel allegedly attacked the fishermen with wooden logs, stones, bottles resulting in fracture to a 25-year old fisherman and bruises and bleeding injuries to others last night, police said.

Mathiazhagan, who suffered the fracture, has been admitted to the government hospital here while several other fishermen, whose back were swollen with weals and bruises, were treated at private hospitals, they said.

Mathiazhagan said it was a 'brutal' attack by the Lankan navalmen who surrounded 25 boats of the fishermen. 'They damaged the boats, snapped the fishing nets and lashed us with logs and pelted stones,' he said.

A fisheries department official described the attack as a violation of human rights.

Local fishermen association leaders Sesu and Devaraj alleged the Sri Lankans, who had come in a Naval ship, intimidated and frightened the fishermen.

The two slammed the Centre for remaining 'mute spectator' to the recurring attacks on fishermen of Tamil Nadu.

Referring to the prompt action taken in recent incidents of killing of two fishermen off Kerala coast by Marines onboard Italian oil tanker and hit-and-run case allegedly involving a Singapore flagged ship, they sought to know 'Why the Government is silent even after 300 fishermen had been killed by the Lankan Naval men (over the recent years).'

They also demanded that the government take steps to recover the fish catch seized by Sri Lankan navalmen and also file a case for attacking 'innocent' fishermen.
PTI