Vivek Murthy faces Senate confirmation hearing. Surgeon general nominee Vivek Murthy, 36, testified today before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee for his confirmation hearing. NPR’s It’s All Politics noted that his youth, his political work — including his tweets — and his public health experience made him vulnerable to GOP attacks. According to the Boston Globe several Republican senators said they were concerned with Murthy’s political activity favoring both gun control and President Obama’s health law. Murthy told senators he would avoid politics and use the surgeon general’s position to focus on childhood obesity, cutting tobacco use and vaccinating children. [NPR, Boston Globe]
Mumbai’s seventh Gay Pride. February 2 marked Mumbai’s seventh Gay Pride. Photos of Saturday’s Gay Pride Walk show the vibrantly out and proud Indians and supporters who participated. Gay rights pioneer Ashok Row Kavi spoke about Pride and the public reaction following the Supreme Court of India’s recriminalization of homosexual sex:
“Ideally, the march is about taking pride in what you are. But this year’s upsurge in numbers is a reflection of the community’s anger and hurt over being recriminalised,” said one of India’s gay rights pioneer Ashok Row Kavi.
“If courts think they can brush us off and treat us like sub-humans they need to see how they have ended up giving the movement a shot in the arm instead. This movement will grow and succeed.” [DNAIndia]
Today is World Cancer Day. According to the Union for International Cancer Control, cancer is the world’s biggest killer. Cancer cases worldwide are forecast to rise by 75 percent and reach 25 million over the next two decades. In India, a million new cases are reported every year. [First Post, WCD]
Pakistan is running out of water. According to a 2013 report from the Asian Development Bank, Pakistan has one month of water supply on hand. The outlook is grim for those relying on agriculture and timber industries for their livelihoods. [ThinkProgress]
Pavani Yalamanchili is a co-founder and editor of The Aerogram. Email her at editors@theaerogram.com. Find The Aerogram on Twitter @theaerogram or on Facebook.
