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In rural India, castes still rule the lives of hundreds of millions of people. Those we used to call the Untouchables, the Dalits, are in charge of cleaning sewers and septic tanks; in exchange, they receive a little bread. A deeply rooted mentality, even among the first concerned. Its my fault, I was born into an untouchable family, considers a young woman. His village is divided into two: the untouchables live in a separate neighborhood. Daily discrimination affects all levels.

For example, an eight-year-old girl no longer goes to school, although it is compulsory. In question : his teachers, who told him not to come. For adults too, the humiliations are incessant; the untouchables arent even allowed in a barbershop, among other things. These discriminations are prohibited; there are dozens of laws supposed to protect Dalits, but they are seldom applied. 15% of the Indian population are always considered as untouchable.

The JT

The other subjects of the news

See original here:
India: the Untouchables, still victims of the caste system - Pledge Times

The world is alarmingly off-track on delivering universal access to safe sanitation. For billions of people, toilets and sewage systems are still out of reach. Those living in poor and rural communities are at most risk of being left behind.

Over 700 children die every day from diarrhoea caused by unsafe water, sanitation, and poor hygiene. Over half the worlds population uses sanitation services that leave human waste untreated, threatening human health. Meanwhile, 673 million people still practice open defecation and an estimated 367 million children attend a school with no sanitation facility at all.

Everyone is entitled to sanitation services that are affordable and accessible, and provide privacy, dignity and safety.This not only improves societys health but also leads to better economic and social development.

Sanitation is a human right.

Talking about toilets may be awkward, but we need to act now and double ourefforts if we are to eliminate open defecation. While the challenges are significant, meeting the goal of universal sanitation by 2030 is possible with greater investment, sustained effort and increased rates of sanitation coverage.

Many countries have made rapid progress in access to sanitation, transforming lives, the environment, and their economies, all within one generation.

Above: Aumelina helps her child in using the family latrine outside their home in Tablanusu, a 100 per cent Open Defecation Free (ODF)village in Papua Province, Indonesia.

See the original post here:
The state of the world's sanitation | UNICEF - UNICEF

In order to provide fresh and pure water, Chandigarh is all set to apply for SBM Water Plus certification this year. SBM Water Plus is the next level of certification beyond ODF ++ and is also a precondition for a city to compete for a 7-star garbage-free city rating so as to rank amongst the top cleanest cities in Swacch Survekshan 2021.

In order to provide fresh and pure water, Chandigarh is all set to apply for SBM Water Plus certification this year. SBM Water Plus is the next level of certification beyond ODF ++ and is also a precondition for a city to compete for 7-star garbage-free city rating so as to rank amongst top cleanest cities in Swacch Survekshan 2021.

A city or ward can be declared as Water Plus provided all wastewater released from households, commercial establishments drain, nallah are treated to a satisfactory level (as per CPCB norms), before releasing the treated wastewater into the environment. Further, the adequate capacity of wastewater and sewage treatment facilities is to be ensured. The infrastructure should be maintained properly and cost recovery is ensured through reuse/recycling of treated wastewater to ensure sustainability.

Chief Engineer Shailender Anand said that the documentation has been done for water plus. Also, on World Toilet Day, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs will be launching Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge 2020 starting from November 19 onwards. It will be a challenge for Chandigarh.

The programme will end on August 15, 2021.

This programme will have a special focus on training for sanitary workers on the cleaning of sewers and septic tanks throughout urban local bodies of the country.

The World Toilet Day is a United Nations Observance day on November 19 that celebrates toilets and raises awareness of more than 400 crore people living without access to safely managed sanitation. It is about taking action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 which is water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban is undertaking a Swachh Survekshan 2021 campaign to drive the message of safe sanitation throughout the month of November to commemorate the World Toilet Day.

SBM Toilets have been linked toGoogleMaps which lets users locate the nearest public toilet on Google Maps through mobile apps.

Chandigarh was accorded ODF status first on September 27, 2016. Subsequently, the city was certified ODF++ on September 19, 2019. ODF Certification is valid for a period of one year and re-certification is based upon third party assessment involving independent inspection for open defecation and toilets at minimum 45 locations over four zones of the city.

Vinod Vashisht, convener, CFORWO (City Forum of Residents Welfare Organizations), said that a city can be notified/ declared as SBM ODF++ city if, at any point of the day, not a single person is found defecating and/ or urinating in the open, all community and public toilets are functional and well- maintained and entire faecal sludge/septage and sewage is safely managed and treated, with no discharging and/or dumping of untreated faecal sludge/septage and sewage in drains, water bodies or open areas.

Read more from the original source:
Chandigarh will apply for Water Plus certification | Chandigarh NYOOOZ - NYOOOZ

Wilton Simpson was sworn in Tuesday as president of the Florida Senate and that means Citrus County residents now have a powerful force in the highest levels of state government going to bat for them.

Citrus County has been very good to me as a person and very supportive of me as their local senator, Simpson said. What I will do in the next two years is do the best I can to continue to fund our priorities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has cut deeply into state budget reserves and some priorities might be harder to get through going forward. He expects a state budget of $88-90 billion heading into next year, about $3-5 billion less than originally envisioned all due to the economic upheaval from the pandemic.

Goal one is to right-size our government to continue to have a booming economy and we have to do that with a balanced budget and replenish our reserves, he said.

Simpson, 54, was elected to the Senate in 2012 and served as majority leader in 2016 and 2017. He succeeds President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and takes on the coveted position of president for the next two years.

The Chronicle interviewed Simpson just days before he took the helm of the Senate. Heres what he had to say:

What are your goals as Senate president?

Simpson said he will continue to fight for the environment, and that includes continued cleanup efforts of Kings Bay and Homosassa waterways. It also means advancing the septic-to-sewer initiative.

To cut back on cost, Simpson said the state needs to explore incentives to local government for replacing outdated, pollution-causing septic systems.

Streamline the states foster-care system and make it easier for people to adopt children. Being adopted, this issue is personal to the senator.

You can eliminate a lot of future education and mental health problems by bringing permanency to a child, he said.

Simpson said fixing the problem will cost money and plans to partner with First Lady Casey DeSantis, who is one of the top advisers to her husband, Gov. Ron DeSantis. This year, she has worked on a number of initiatives aimed at helping Florida children.

Promote better mental health options. He supports efforts to build a LifeStream Baker Act facility in Lecanto. He will work with State Rep. Ralph Massullo, R-Lecanto also a project supporter to make sure that happens.

I fully intend to make sure thats funded, he said.

Continue to fund road infrastructure improvements.

Business can only thrive in Citrus County if you have clean water and good connector roads, he said.

Continue to attract top teachers which, he said, should be easier now that the starting pay for beginning teachers is $47,500 a year.

Could the pandemic affect these goals?

The pandemic, he said, has changed this state in ways that will affect it long into his tenure.

Anything that costs money is going to be tougher to get things done, he said.

For example, reports sent last week to state lawmakers advocate putting the brakes on three toll-road projects.

The projects would extend the Suncoast Parkway from Citrus County to Jefferson County near the Georgia border, extend Floridas Turnpike from Wildwood to connect with the Suncoast Parkway and create a new road linking Polk and Collier counties.

Simpson said road infrastructure is the lifeblood of industry and small-business in Citrus County and makes it easier for employers to transport goods.

There are a lot of roads in Citrus County that need widening and upgrading so thats a priority, Simpson said.

Weve got to get beyond this pandemic first and get our state back up to 100%, he said. Thats my focus right now.

One positive in navigating the rough waters: Simpson said his counterpart in the House, Palm Harbor Republican Chris Sprowls, should be easy to work with.

Were good friends, he said. We have a very good trust factor between the two of us.

Simpson also heaped praise on Gov. DeSantis who, he said, has done a masterful job guiding us through this pandemic.

Will a Joe Biden presidency affect your goals in the Senate?

I think it might make my job harder, he said. It will slow the national economy down, which will slow the Florida economy down over time. What happens at the federal level from an economic and regulatory and financial standpoint will affect Florida greatly. I know nothing that will be positive from a Biden administration.

For example, if Biden raises taxes and regulations again, the state is probably looking at a 1% growth as opposed to the projected 4%, he said.

If you raise capital gains taxes, everyone with a 401K or IRA would have their taxes raised, he added.

How do you want to be remembered and what are your plans when you term-out in two years?

Simpson called his tenure in the Florida Senate the last eight years the honor of a lifetime and a humbling experience.

What I hope is that folks who live and work here will look at the record of my accomplishments and say, It might not have been perfect but he did the best he could to represent Citrus County and he worked hard.

What will he do after he leaves the Senate?

I just might come back home and count (chicken) eggs, joked Simpson, referring to his Trilby agricultural operation.

But more seriously, Simpson said he will likely stay involved in various community organizations. Through the years, hes been involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Pasco County Fair, Habitat for Humanity and PACE Center for Girls.

Ill get back involved somehow, he said. I love to serve in my community and see things get better. Well see. Stay tuned.

Simpson, in his opening remarks on becoming Senate president Tuesday, had this to say:

This pandemic has been a strain on so many families and on our businesses. Some wonder if it is ever going to end. Senators, I believe it will. In the last few days we heard promising news about a new vaccine, and there is more good news on trials and therapeutics every day.

Better days are ahead, but we must continue to do what we can to personally prevent the spread. I want to thank all of you for taking our new protocols seriously. We will get through this together.

Material from the News Service of Florida was used in this report.

Read more:
Simpson takes the reins of Florida Senate - Citrus County Chronicle

Outdoor seating has provided some much-needed help for restaurants during the pandemic. Social distancing guidelines have forced businesses to find ways to seat customers outside of the building so they can be more spread out. Now, the challenge is the colder weather. The Porch Kitchen and Cantina in Winston-Salem recently rolled out their new dining bubbles to provide an enclosed area for guests to eat. I saw in other cities and in Northern Europe they use these bubbles and it will be snowing outside youll be cozy in your bubble! The Porch owner, Claire Calvin, said. The dining bubbles are now open to guests at the porch and Calvin said some people werent sure about the idea at first. Some people were like, that just seems as dangerous as anything else, she said. Calvin explained her thought process, that you can be in the bubble with your own group of people and not be exposed to others.Theres two sides that open so you can kind of air it out and then we obviously sanitize in between, she said. Calvin said the health department doesnt have an issue with the bubbles and more customers are now requesting them specifically when they come to the restaurant. A lot of people really like them, she said. She said its been a tough road for her business and thinks it could get harder during winter, but shes hopeful things will get back to normal eventually.I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Even if we shut down, theres a light at the end of the tunnel, she said. The bubbles arent the only modification to The Porch, they also opened a separate part of the building that allows for more space while customers are eating.

Outdoor seating has provided some much-needed help for restaurants during the pandemic. Social distancing guidelines have forced businesses to find ways to seat customers outside of the building so they can be more spread out.

Now, the challenge is the colder weather.

The Porch Kitchen and Cantina in Winston-Salem recently rolled out their new dining bubbles to provide an enclosed area for guests to eat.

I saw in other cities and in Northern Europe they use these bubbles and it will be snowing outside youll be cozy in your bubble! The Porch owner, Claire Calvin, said.

The dining bubbles are now open to guests at the porch and Calvin said some people werent sure about the idea at first.

Some people were like, that just seems as dangerous as anything else, she said.

Calvin explained her thought process, that you can be in the bubble with your own group of people and not be exposed to others.

Theres two sides that open so you can kind of air it out and then we obviously sanitize in between, she said.

Calvin said the health department doesnt have an issue with the bubbles and more customers are now requesting them specifically when they come to the restaurant.

A lot of people really like them, she said.

She said its been a tough road for her business and thinks it could get harder during winter, but shes hopeful things will get back to normal eventually.

I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Even if we shut down, theres a light at the end of the tunnel, she said.

The bubbles arent the only modification to The Porch, they also opened a separate part of the building that allows for more space while customers are eating.

Original post:
The Porch Kitchen and Cantina in Winston-Salem introduces dining bubbles - WXII12 Winston-Salem

About 12 years ago, Jesusa Palacios and her adopted son Jonathan were at a turning point.

Jonathan was 13 and preparing for middle school when he was asked to write a transition plan for his post-high school goals. The Palacios family started doing research with loved ones to find what would be best for him.

HOLIDAY DONATIONS: Toys for Tots continues accepting donations despite COVID-19 challenges

After deciding he probably was not going to college and determining that he has multiple challenges that prevent him from working independently, they noticed that he could enjoy working in an ice cream truck. Jonathan spent four years driving with a friend in an ice cream truck every summer, and he loves it, she said. While its not his own yet, they know that he will do customized self employment under the name "Bubba Jon's Ice Cream Delights."

Palacios is now the director of Solomons Porch Light, which helps her son and other families like theirs connect to businesses and ideas for their own childrens futures. She decided to start the Humble nonprofit after parents of individuals with disabilities started asking how they found something that was right for Jonathan.

So thats how Solomons Porch Light was born, Palacios said. Out of the need for my son and to help others... Well be the advocate for those individuals that never get noticed, never get publicized, nobody really knows about them theyre out there.

Due to the coronavirus, they started the program virtually this July. They have promoted individuals in the arts, footwear, shredding services and a pet rescue businesses. Their mission is to raise awareness and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to become business owners.

They have about 68 businesses that have connected with them. They promote them through their website to provide families with ideas as to how their children, who may not be able to be placed in jobs traditionally, could follow a career path and own a business that they enjoy, essentially serving as a middle man between families and businesses.

Next year, they plan to begin training sessions either online or in-person.

So thats part of the resources, right, Palacios said. Whatever I have learned as a parent and how to do these resources Im going to pass on to other people or other individuals that need help.

CORONAVIRUS: Active positives in Humble ISD reach 167 as cases grow at elementaries

One of those businesses helping to serve Solomons Porch Light is located in northwest Houston. Shredding on the Go offers secure business and residential document shredding services and recycling. The company hires individuals who face unique challenges shredding barriers one page at a time as their website states.

They have eight individuals in addition to owner James Parker working for Shredding on the Go who would have challenges finding work in the traditional job market according to Renee Parker, James mother.

Parker said they discovered her sons interest in shredding during a conversation with their family about what he could do for work.

I personally have a lot of experience with customized self-employment, which is what we did for my son and I think is what (Palacios is) doing for her son, Parker said. ... Customized self-employment creates a job opportunity based solely on individual skills and what they would enjoy doing.

For more information about Solomons Porch Light, visit their website at http://www.solomonsporchlight.org. For more information on Shredding on the Go, visit http://www.shreddingonthego.com.

savannah.mehrtens@chron.com

See the original post here:
Humble nonprofit Solomons Porch Light helps differently-abled adults find fulfilling work - Houston Chronicle

The holiday season is here, a time for giving thanks and sending love to friends and family, but for many the holiday season is a golden opportunity for theft.

This year, more than ever, many are taking their shopping online to stay safe from coronavirus which means thieves can expect a plethora of packages at residents doorsteps.

To keep gifts safe from porch pirates this year the Gulfport Police Department has a few tips. Gulfport PIO Sgt. Jason Ducre said, With the coronavirus going on, with everybody shopping online, packages are going to be delivered to houses more frequently. And theyre just crimes of opportunity, is what they are, and its our job to limit the opportunities. So if you can, have your packages delivered to your job, or a neighbors house, or a relative, or get a signature on delivery.

Ducre also recommends buying a porch camera. While they wont prevent theft, they can help police find a suspect faster.

Original post:
Beware of porch pirates ahead of the holidays - WXXV News 25

Twitter has some mixed feelings about a man who has been seen on video feeding "at least 30" raccoons on his porch. A video emerged on Twitter on Monday night of a man treating several chubby raccoons to what appeared to be hot dogs (sans the bun).

"[T]his guy goes out every night and feeds the raccoons living near his house and it's adorable chaos," a Twitter user wrote alongside the clip.

In the video, the man sits on a snow-covered bench while several heavyset raccoons crawl all over him, trying to grab some off the food from a container. Some climb on his lap, begging for food. Others perch on his shoulder, waiting for him to hand off a hot dog.

It's safe to say that the video has caught the attention of many people online. While some called the man's mealtime ritual for the raccoons adorable, others didn't find it as cute. "No- not adorable. We in CO know that you don't feed wildlife. Also, raccoons carry diseases that are especially dangerous for kids," one person wrote.

"It's not adorable if you are his neighbor. Ever had a neighbor who feeds feral cats? Same stupid behavior," another chimed in.

"When I see raccoons, the first thing I think of is rabies," someone else said. "The second thing I think about is the damage they do to homes. So, it's not as warm and cuddly for me."

One user pointed out that feeding raccoons could have an effect on an entire neighborhood, not just the folks feeding them. "Very dangerous too. Wild animals should not be fed by humans. They can carry diseases. Congregating unnaturally draws predators. Dangerous for entire neighborhood."

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"Pretty dangerous. They're going to look for that food in the neighborhood every night...whether he shows up or not," another agreed.

Some folks were also concerned about the effect the food would actually have on the raccoons. "This guy is single-handedly causing an ecological disaster of diabetic raccoons, but free internet pass because he's a lonely old man and fat raccoons are cute," one person chided.

"I just wish he'd be a bit more considerate of their diet, if he's going to keep inviting them," another noted. "I know he means well, and just may not understand, for example, their size is not normal."

"How many times is he feeding them?" a third asked. "They are freaking huge!! Lmao."

As per Pest World, raccoons typically eat plants and other animals such as: "fruits, berries, nuts, fish, frogs, mussels, crayfish, insects, turtles, mice, rabbits, muskrats and bird eggs." So, basically, not hot dogs.

Read more:
This Man Feeds Raccoons on His Porch Every Night, and Twitter Has Some Thoughts - Newsweek

KILLEEN, TX Monday, we showed you how to safely shop while looking for gifts online but what happens when you do everything right and a porch pirate comes by and snags your packages?

Jennifer McCann owns a quaint mail service in Harker Heights and for the past 21 years in business, shes heard a common worry from her customers: Mail theft.

Well hold it for a few days if needed, McCann said, So [they] wont feel like they need to rush home from work to grab their package from their porch.

Its a crime officials take seriously since a 2019 bill Governor Abbott passed that charges porch pirates thousands in fines and possible jail or prison time if convicted.

Were going to have our officers out making sure that were watching for that, and that our citizens are watching for that, Lawrence Stewart, the public information officer for the Harker Heights Police Department said. Were gonna take the opportunity to arrest you.

But there are ways we can catch the thieves including utilizing an at-home security system.

You know it's working when you get notifications when your camera detects abnormal activity and it could be the only way to catch the criminal.

Were all super busy these days and were all running and doing things, Josh Wallace at InHouse Systems in Temple said. I mean it's just crazy right now. So, having a peace of mind at home, about home is important.

But if you dont have a Ring doorbell or security cameras, there are other ways to make sure your deliveries are safe.

The best thing to do is if you know you ordered a package, to be on the lookout for that package, Stewart said.

Or you can seek out a third party to help keep your mail secure like Eagle Express.

We keep everything safe here, McCann explained. We call the customers directly so they know they have a package here and they get the notification instantly.

Experts say the easiest way to stay safe this holiday season is to be vigilant with packages and invest in a security system or video doorbell.

See more here:
Porch pirates are on the rise as the holiday season rolls around - KXXV News Channel 25

You shouldnt mess with mans best friend or how they settle things among themselves. Dogs know where their spot is on the front porch, and whose spot is whose. The king, or alpha dog of the porch, will let any other dog know when they are sleeping in their spot. Theres a pecking order, a hierarchy among the porch dwellers. If you cross the unwritten rule of where your place is on the porch, youll suffer the consequences.

Comedian Kevin Heart says the same thing another way, Stay in your lane. The fact is, we all get a little ahead of ourselves. Where am I going with this? I think its critical that every company have a well-defined front porchi.e., organizational chart.

A good organizational chart lets everyone know who reports to who, and whos in charge of what task or department. It allows a company to manage from a much higher plane, no matter its size. An organizational chart also gives each employee a path, or a position to work toward.

Sometimes smaller companies are less likely to have an org chart, and I think this is a mistake. As in a small company, everyone normally takes on multiple jobs and the org chart helps define those roles and who does them. And, as the small company grows, the org chart can identify what positions need to be filled first, and what the pecking order should be.

If your company seems out of control, or if it seems like the company is running you, instead of you running the company, put in place a well thought out organizational chart, and see if that doesnt help. It certainly cant hurt. At the very least you wont get barked at while youre sleeping.

As alwaysMy two cents.

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Every Dog Should Know Their Place on the Porch | Mind Your Business - USGlass Metal & Glazing