Malaysian Wildlife Researcher Wins Marsh Award for Hornbill Research and Conservation Projects
Wildlife researcher Ravinder Kaur won the Terrestrial Conservation Leadership Award from the Marsh Christian Trust for her contributions to sustainable biodiversity that was done locally.
The award which partnered with Fauna and Flora International honours individuals who play important roles in their communities and features leaders or organisations who make special contributions to conservation.
Ravinder said that the award holds a lot of meaning to her team and will help them to connect with prospective funders who will support their cause.
She first started to gain interest in hornbills after she accompanied a researcher for a field visit to Temenggor, Perak for a hornbill project. She went from spending months observing hornbills to joining NGOs to install artificial nest boxes for Kinabatangan hornbills.
Ravinder and her team took a step further into improving breeding facilities for Kinabatangan hornbills by applying the findings from her PhD research and cooperating with a local carpenter to produce specially-designed next boxes for the hornbills.
Although current circumstances have slowed their activities, it has allowed them to think more creatively to raise more funds for their cause. Kudos to Ravinder Kaur and her team! We wish you and your teams all the very best in your efforts to conserve the natural beauty of our country.
Women leaders in Malaysia: YB Dato’ Hajah Azizah Binti Mohd Dun
Do you know who YB Dato’ Hajah Azizah Binti Mohd Dun is? She is a politician from the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU). She currently serves as the Member of Parliament for the Beaufort seat in Sabah. She was the former State Minister for Community Development and Consumer Affairs when she was still under UMNO.
As for the history of her educational background, she completed her A-levels in the UK. She then graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Laws and became a certified lawyer at the Lincoln’s Inn in London. Prior to her political career, Azizah became the first female magistrate in Sabah and served from 1981 to 1984.
Her political career mostly stems from her involvement with the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party. In the 2013 general elections, she became the MP for the Beaufort seat and won the same seat in the 2018 general elections, representing UMNO in both events.
Azizah is known to oppose child and women abuse and organised seminars and talks discussing the issues during her candidacy. She is also an avid supporter for the disabled, especially after a car accident in 2012 deeply affected the livelihood of her bodyguard.
Let’s hope that there will be more ladies who step up as leaders to represent the people!
PM: Let's hope there won't be another MCO again for the country
During a special address on October 13th, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin hoped that the country would not be subjected to another Movement Control Order (MCO) as the nation did in March.
Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the conditional MCO (CMCO) which will be reinstated in Klang Valley areas from 12.01 a.m. October 14th is a precautionary measure before the third wave worsens.
As the highlight of his special address, the PM implores for Malaysians to pray together for no MCO as it will impact the economic and social sector of the country.
Muhyiddin mentioned that the government will help the people if the third wave gets worse. However, it is imperative to deal with the current situation at hand.
Some of the SOPS for areas under CMCO include the prohibition of inter-district travels except for emergencies or those with work passes, dining in eateries are limited to two people and take outs are encouraged as well as the closing of all learning institutions and entertainment centres.
Let us all pray together that we can get through this, everyone. Circumstances may not be on our side but we Malaysians are resilient by nature. Let's hang in there and stay positive, Malaysians!
Meet the First Malaysian-Indian Woman to Become a RMAF Pilot: Lohappriya Manisegaran
Lieutenant Lohappriya Manisegaran has gained fame on social media lately for her achievement in becoming the first Malaysian-Indian woman to become a pilot for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
Loha from Klang is one of the 38 trainees who was presented with Flight Wings at a ceremony at the Air Force College in Alor Setar, Kedah last Friday, October 9.
According to a recent statement by RMAF, of the 38, eight are fighter pilots, 15 are prospective pilots and 15 are helicopter pilots.
All of them will serve in the three branches: the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), the army and the Royal Malaysian Navy.
Her impressive achievement is a culmination of more than five and a half years of hard work. She completed her degree at the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) and received honours from the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V in 2018.
Congratulations Lt. Lohappriya on your outstanding achievement! We Malaysians are truly proud of you. All the best to you!
Fun Facts (Women in Aviation)
Fun Fact #1
Did you know that the late Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean solo? The American lady was the second person to do it, the first being Charles Lindbergh, and the trip lasted for 14 hours and 56 minutes. Amelia was also the first pilot to fly solo halfway across the Pacific, from Honolulu, Hawaii to Oakland, California.
Fun Fact #2
The late Sarla Thakral, India’s first female pilot got her first aviation pilot license when she was 21, in 1936. When she took her first flight, not only was she married to her pilot husband, P. D. Sharma, she also had a four-year-old daughter by then. After she retired from flying, Sarla became an entrepreneur and dabbled in costume jewellery making and saree designing.
Fun Fact #3
The first African-American female pilot, Bessie Coleman is famous for her specialties like parachuting and stunt flying. The Texas-born did aerial tricks and barnstorming to earn a living and joined exciting air shows to demonstrate her skills.
She is also known to stand up for her fellow African-Americans by not performing in shows where African-Americans were barred from entering.
Fun Fact #4
Did you know that Gunjan Saxena was the first ever female pilot for the Indian Air Force? Coming from a family that served the Indian Army, she graduated from Hansraj College in Delhi, cleared the SSB entrance exam and joined the Indian Air Force in 1994.
Despite the initial discrimination in her field, she made a name for herself when she, along with another flight lieutenant, rescued soldiers during the 1999 Kargil War.
How To Cope With Anxiety
According to a 2015 study, 72 percent of entrepreneurs struggle with mental health problems, including anxiety. Things like fear of failing, fear of losing money, fear of the unknown - these are all hidden forms of anxiety that entrepreneurs (and in extension, everyone) feels. While anxiety may be part of our everyday lives, here are a few ways to cope with anxiety.
Write a ‘thank you’ list
Write down all the things that you are thankful for, from having a comfortable home to having reliable friends. Keep the ‘thank you’ list and read it to yourself twice a day, when you wake up and before you go to bed.
Exercise
Believe it or not, exercise helps to regulate hormones, endorphins and chemicals in our body which will help improve our brain activities. The key is to consistently exercise so the chemicals in our body will stay regulated all the time.
Get good quality sleep
Good quality sleep ideally means the uninterrupted, seven to eight hours of sleep. It is best to eliminate distractions like your devices and large meals before going to bed to get a good night’s sleep.
Meditate
When life gives you lemons, don’t make lemonade by squeezing the fruits too hard. Learn to calm yourself down when life hits you with curve balls. Do breathing or meditation exercises to put your mind in a calm space.
Debunk that Myth! Breast Cancer Edition
According to a report, 1 out of 27 women in Malaysia is at risk of contracting breast cancer. As the most common type of cancer among women, breast cancer has a lot of myths surrounding the disease. Here are a few myths as highlighted by the National Cancer Council (MAKNA) that need to be debunked.
Myth 1: Wearing a bra, using antiperspirant or eating too much sugar can lead to breast cancer.
There are no studies that show that these factors can cause breast cancer.
Myth 2: You cannot prevent breast cancer.
You can lower the risk of contracting it by exercising regularly, limiting your alcohol intake and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Myth 3: Only older women can get breast cancer
Breast cancer can happen to younger women too.
Myth 4: No family history, no cancer
Only 1 out of 10 breast cancer cases come from those with family history.
Myth 5: Only women can get breast cancer
Men are also susceptible to breast cancer. Out of all breast cancer cases, 1 percent happens to men.