Latest news with #SJS
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
‘Adopt a Granny' programme to honour senior domestic workers in Bengaluru
As a tribute to the unsung heroes of countless households, Stree Jagruthi Samithi (SJS) will host an 'Adopt a Granny' programme on May 31, at SCM House on Mission Road in Bengaluru, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event is a gesture to honour senior domestic workers, many of whom have dedicated decades of their lives to caregiving with little recognition. The initiative, timed ahead of International Domestic Workers' Day on June 16, aims to shed light on the lives, struggles, and contribution of these veteran workers. The event has been organised on the theme 'They cared for us when we needed them, now it's our turn to care for them!' The programme calls for community involvement in offering support, respect, and solidarity to ageing domestic workers.
NZ Herald
18-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Wellington student's business website removed after violent past while insane exposed
Another student who was browsing the job search site contacted journalist David Farrier after discovering the listing and googling the business owner's name, discovering previous coverage of a criminal charge he faced five years ago. Farrier posted to his blog, Webworm, about the case, querying the safety of SJS. 'How did a man who once violently stabbed a woman & was found insane by the courts list a job on SJS?' a subheading in the article reads. The man, who the Herald has chosen not to name in this article, was charged with attempted murder for the April 2020 attack. The incident, which the Herald reported on at the time, happened after he had used cannabis and meth, which were believed to have aggravated his schizophrenia. The man stabbed a family member multiple times in the face and neck, stopping only when a neighbour fended him off with a baseball bat. While Justice Jan-Marie Doogue found him not guilty due to insanity, she did also make a finding that he had committed the violent act. He was detained as a special patient in hospital under the Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003. Farrier's Webworm post, which named the man, posed questions about whether SJS' vetting process was sufficient to protect students, and whether it should have known about the man's history. 'Violent offenders are capable of rehabilitation, and of becoming productive members of society,' Farrier wrote. 'What is concerning here is that it appears SJS simply had no idea about any of this. They had no idea the director of a company listing a job for students had a troubling history of violence, methamphetamine use, and mental health issues including schizophrenia. 'It's not that these issues are insurmountable or unforgivable — it's that SJS had no idea." The website for the man's business has now been taken down, and emails to the business address bounce back, undelivered. A cellphone number listed for the site goes straight to voicemail. An online profile stated the man, a refugee from East Africa, wanted to use his business to promote an exchange of cultures and build a 'newfound connection through Afro-Kiwi flavours'. 'I believe I am well positioned to combine my unique multicultural perspective, insights and experiences with tertiary education for a meaningful contribution to my wide community,' he wrote. SJS has removed the job listing from its site and is seeking legal advice to 'ensure our next steps are fair for all parties involved'. 'In light of the complexities of this situation, it is a priority for us to ensure we respond thoughtfully and act in line with New Zealand legislation,' said SJS chief executive Louise Saviker. Changing Minds spokeswoman Megan Elizabeth said the value of having a purpose in life, as well as work and financial security, could not be underestimated. 'We can't discount those factors in people's wellbeing and in people's recovery,' she said. 'I feel like this reporting could actually have done more harm than good.' Changing Minds is a non-profit organisation aimed at supporting people who have experienced or are going through mental health and addiction issues. Elizabeth said she understood the 'gut reaction' to this situation, but disagreed with the question posed in Webworm about whether SJS should have been aware of the man's past. 'I think the question is: 'Why should SJS have known at all?'' she said, noting the Companies Act had nothing in it to exclude someone from being a company director if they had been detained previously as a special patient. She said everyone had the right to try to improve their lives and move on from 'a really hard time in their life'. She argued that part of our social contract included an acceptance that people's freedom could be restricted by certain Acts, such as the one used to detain this man as a special patient. If this was accepted, then it should also be accepted that once they were released from these detainments they had a right to be part of the community and go on to 'live their lives well'. 'In this situation, it seems like that person was trying to set up a business and to move forward . . . to see that shut down, see the website shut down, is obviously very sad.' There were many people in society who had done things they wished they could change, but the majority were 'not outed for their past as they're trying to move forward with their lives'. When asked whether concern from the public in a case such as this was well-founded, Elizabeth said she wanted to 'flip that question around and pose an alternative'. 'Why are we asking this question only of people who have experienced mental distress or whose actions have been driven by mental illness?' Elizabeth said we should be more concerned about whether there were enough systems and supports in place within society to ensure everyone could live their lives well, and in a safe and supportive manner. She noted people experiencing mental distress were 'far more likely' to harm themselves than others. 'That line of questioning is a really large driver in how people continue to view experiences of distress.' Justice reformist Sir Kim Workman said the background about the man's actions was 'very concerning' and felt SJS should review its vetting processes to provide for the safety of students, while still complying with privacy and human rights requirements. However he felt outing the man publicly was 'unnecessary', and might negatively impact his future recovery and rehabilitation. 'I recall a similar case a few years ago, when a university lecturer 'outed' a postgraduate student, who was coming to the end of his sentence. He didn't want him attending lectures with other students. 'The prisoner had been an outstanding role model in the prison, was considered very low risk, and was considered very unlikely to re-offend.' Sir Kim said his experience was that New Zealanders 'can be very vindictive toward persons who have served their time and are released'. 'This is particularly the case with ex-prisoners who are seeking employment or accommodation. Our 'Clean Slate' legislation is very conservative - unnecessarily so.' Dr Logan Bannister, deputy vice-chancellor for students at Victoria University of Wellington declined to comment directly on the matter due to privacy reasons, but did refer to 'the transformational impact of education'. 'We value and support our diverse student community through inclusive learning, strong connections, and development pathways that foster wellbeing, career success, and lifelong learning.' He said the university required students to undergo police checks if they wanted to live in the halls of residence or enter into a particular programme, such as education, nursing and midwifery courses. 'Otherwise, it does not ask people applying to study to disclose criminal charges or convictions.' When asked about the difficulty in balancing student safety with the needs of someone trying to rehabilitate themselves, SJS' Saviker said they understood situations could be complex, especially when involving questions of fairness and safety. Balancing the needs and rights of all parties, particularly the safety and wellbeing of students, was something they approached with 'care and integrity', she said. 'As a charitable organisation, we're committed to operating in a way that aligns with both our social responsibility and legal obligations. 'We take all issues raised with us very seriously and are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of both students and employers.'
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Urgent recall for popular Costco product sold in US that may contain pieces of WOOD
A popular brand of salsa sold at Costco and other US grocery stores has been recalled due to possible wood contamination. San Juan Salsa Co. (SJS) is pulling eight different products produced between December 19, 2024 and March 17, 2025. These salsas may contain small wood particles, which depending on their size and shape may irritate or cut the mouth, throat and gut. Certain types of wood may also contain natural toxins, and ingesting a large amount of these particles may lead to adverse health effects. The company did not specify the shape and size of these particles, or what type of wood they are. The culprit is through to be cilantro grown by SubHerb Farms in Turlock, California, that were found to be contaminated with wood. After conducting a 'thorough review' of its manufacturing records, SJS determined that eight of its products with certain 'Best Before' dates could be contaminated. Affected products have Best Before dates between January 21 and May 23, 2025. These include containers of Mild Salsa, Medium Salsa, Hot Salsa, Traditional Salsa, Pineapple Mango Salsa, Verde Salsa, Men's Room Roasted Red Salsa and Costco 32 ounce containers of Medium Salsa. Consumers who purchased any of these products should check their Best Before dates, and return or throw away any that fall within the date ranges subject to this recall. These salsas are sold in grocery stores such as Costco and Kroger. SJS stated that it has not received any notices or complaints from customers about products that may have been contaminated by this cilantro crop. 'SJS also believes its internal manufacturing process eliminates the potential for wood particles to be contained as the result of cilantro being utilized in its products,' the statement reads. The size of these 'small wood particles' is unclear, but exposure to wood dust has been linked to health issues due to natural chemicals or substances in the wood, such as bacteria, molds and fungi. Wood dust is a known carcinogen, but it primarily causes the disease through inhalation and results in cancer of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and the upper part of the throat. It is also associated with toxic effects; irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; dermatitis; and respiratory system issues which include decreased lung capacity and allergic reactions. But there is no evidence to suggest that eating wood dust is linked to cancer or any of these other health impacts. SupHerb Farms voluntarily recalled 96,500 pounds of frozen cilantro due to 'potential foreign object contamination' on April 3, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The herbs were distributed in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Canada and Mexico. The cilantro used in SJS's recalled products also caused the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to issue a public health alert for 13 frozen soup and bowl products earlier this month. Those products were made and sold by multiple brands, including Campbell's, Molly's Kitchen, Healthy Request, Sysco, Vital Pursuit and Crafted Market by Meijer. Eleven of the 13 products were soups, one is a chili and one is a taco bowl. All but one are frozen dishes. The products range from those in 9.5oz to 32lb containers and have sell by and use by dates between April 2026 to December 2026. They were shipped to retail and institutional locations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. But FSIS said it anticipated that other products may be added to the alert, which could result in nationwide impacts. The complete list and product images are available from the FSIS. The agency urged customers and any entities that may have the products to not consume or serve them. They can either be thrown out or returned to the place of purchase. A public health alert is different from a recall, which involves a company pulling its products from shelves over safety concerns. The FSIS issues an alert to 'inform the public about potential health risks in cases where a recall cannot be recommended,' the USDA states.
