Twilight News Edition 275
Edition 275, 28 June 2022
THE DEBATE OVER TRANS ATHLETE EXPLAINED
By Riyaa Palan
The victory of swimmer Lia Thomas in the 500-yard freestyle event at the US collegiate championships sparked tremendous backlash on social media. She became the first transgender athlete to have achieved this feat. However, this historic event triggered a raging debate among the masses: inclusivity or fairness?
Even while trans-athletes like Thomas herself as well as Laurel Hubbard and Emily Bridges have commendable skills, critics question if the same can be said about their integrity–the opposition suggests that these champions might possess an unfair advantage over other competing women.
Scientific evidence has also proven that despite testosterone reduction and hormonal therapy, male-to-female transitions retain physical advantages which might offer trans participants an upper hand at their sport as compared to other women. Considering these factors, swimming’s world governing body FINA decided to bar trans athletes from competing in elite women’s events.
As an alternative, FINA also plans to launch an ‘Open’ category to ensure fair competition among the participants.
“The creation of an open category will mean that everybody has the opportunity to compete at an elite level. This has not been done before, so FINA will need to lead the way," the FINA president had said.
Other sports organisations such as FIFA and World Athletics also aim to review their existing policies and framework for trans athletes in a manner in which inclusivity and fairness are not exploited or hampered.
WHERE IS ASIA’S CLEANEST VILLAGE?
By Ahana Barthwal
If I ask you to guess where the cleanest village in Asia is situated, your mind will probably go to somewhere in Korea or Japan. But what if I told you that it’s located right here in India? Yes, you read that correctly.
In the northeastern state of Meghalaya, lies the virtuous village of Mawlynnong, or “God’s own Garden” as it is called due numerous reasons.
In 2003, it was awarded “cleanest village in Asia” by Discover India. Although cleanliness makes for its most important aspect, the village has so much more to offer. From an exceedingly progressive milieu for women, to a 100% literacy rate, Mawlynnong is setting an example for all other Indian communities.
In Mawlynnong, cleanliness isn’t just a practice, rather a lifestyle. It’s a value rooted in each and every inhabitant.
Every single house has had a functional toilet since 2007, and the entire vicinity is covered with bamboo dustbins, handmade by the residents themselves. All garbage and waste products, even dry leaves, must go into the dustbins. Here, smoking and the usage of plastic bags is prohibited. All individuals who fail to follow these regulations are heavily fined. Villagers clean roads and plant trees all across the locality.
Leaving its impressively clean setting aside, Mawlynnong’s biggest attraction has to be the living roots bridges. These wonders have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and rightfully so. These bridges are created by connecting the aerial roots of a large rubber tree. You can find them hanging above the river, accommodating up to seventy people at once.
If you thought these two features were impressive enough, let me give you some insight into Mawlynnong’s tribal locals. The famous Khasi tribe has left behind old patriarchal notions and is quite ahead of its time, at least when talking about villages in India. Children of this tribe assume their mothers’ surname, and property is passed down via the matrilineal line. This goes to show how it is completely possible to respect and honour women, when you live in a liberal community.
So, are you thinking of Mawlynnong as the destination for your next getaway yet? I know I am.
Compiled and Edited by Saachi Mehra