Soumya Krishnamurthy

I chose the two states purely because they made headlines in BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52311877 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-52283748 South Dakota in the US vs Kerala in India South Dakota: Population of  884,659 in area   199,729 km 2   Kerala:Population of 33,387,677 in area of 38,863 km First recorded case: 30 Jan 2020 in Kerala, March 10, 2020 in SD Deaths: 7 out of 988 cases, 6 out of 394 cases Kerala, densely populated in a developing country managed better than a sparsely populated state in a developed economy. While there have been multiple reasons attributed for the statistics, I feel its the apathy Smithfield processing plant had for its employees, mostly "foreigners" in a right-wing state...their lives were not worth all that much. As reported in another article, the conservative states are still not willing to acknowledge the pandemic or take necessary steps to ebb the sp...

While living in the US, I started reading news and political articles from both sides of the spectrum so that I could understand the country I was living in better. In the beginning it was a big shock. I was challenged on many deeply held beliefs and ideology, especially but not limited to abortion, gun rights, access to education and healthcare. While my opinions were not changed, I could at least appreciate the difference in opinion. Years later, I have started again to understand better what to expect from the US.very often I find the president echo the articles written and the views of the readers who are referred to as his "base". It is important to keep an open mind and follow these comments no matter how difficult it is. The people with these views control the government of the US today and maybe even years to come! We ignore or berate them to our own peril. Give them a voice, so we can hear them, debate their ideas. Too much is at stake. Read this article fro...

https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/wildlife-trade-market-ban-restrictions-china-wuhan-a9459796.html Thank you Independent for giving this issue front page cover. An excellent time to refocus on the mistreatment of animals in the name of medicine. Let’s be clear though this is not about Wuhan or China. While they are in the news, the issue concerns everyone who has used TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) or enabled its production and sale. Traditions and cultures have their place but do not justify harming animals and killing them. I for one have decided not to eat at restaurants which serve “exotic” animals. Easier for me as I am vegetarian.

As we take a pause to take in the shock that is coronavirus, it is time to reevaluate what is important and how we can make our lives more fulfilling and productive, not just for our own individual selfish selves but our world as a whole. This year for me has been a reckoning and I hope to use my time and voice to speak about what matters to me. Sustainable living, protecting our natural environment and better pay and opportunities for everyone.  Rather than just write my opinions, my goal is to read news, find articles that speak to me and highlight them. Most of the time these are hidden behind Trump’s tantrums or lies, politics, scandal of the moment etc.  Our actions today will impact our future and those of the coming generations. The time to act and speak is NOW.