Pulitzer winner Jhumpa Lahiri declines NYC museum award in protest against Keffiyeh ban
Keffiyehs, scarf symbolizing Palestinian solidarity was recently banned by museum
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has garnered widespread praise on social media for her decision to decline an award from a New York City museum that recently dismissed employees for wearing keffiyehs, a scarf symbolizing Palestinian solidarity.
Lahiri was set to receive the prestigious 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award from the Noguchi Museum, an honor that recognizes individuals who embody the innovative spirit and creative commitment of Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. The award is highly regarded in the arts community and celebrates those who have made significant contributions to culture and creativity.
However, on Wednesday, the museum issued a statement confirming that Lahiri had chosen to withdraw her acceptance of the award. "Jhumpa Lahiri has chosen to withdraw her acceptance of the 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award in response to our updated dress code policy," the statement read. "We respect her perspective and understand that this policy may or may not align with everyone's views."
The controversy surrounding the Noguchi Museum began in August when the institution, located in the borough of Queens and founded nearly 40 years ago by Isamu Noguchi, terminated three employees. The museum also introduced a new dress code policy prohibiting staff from wearing clothing or symbols that convey overt political messages, slogans, or symbols during work hours. The decision to fire employees for wearing keffiyehs, which are widely recognized as symbols of Palestinian solidarity, sparked backlash and criticism from various quarters.
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Cong 'pocketed' Rs 150 cr per annum from Assam healthcare budget during 15 yrs of rule: Shah
Guwahati (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday alleged that the Congress, during its previous 15 years of rule in Assam, "pocketed" Rs 150 crore per annum from the state healthcare budget.
Inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for healthcare projects worth Rs 2,092 crore in Assam, Shah said the BJP works for affordable healthcare for all sections of society and lauded Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for bringing the state's medical facilities at par with states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
"Assam's healthcare was in shambles 10 years ago as Congress worked only for the financial health of its leaders' families," he said.
Attacking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he said that no Indian supports his acts of "defaming" the country in his bid to oppose the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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He lambasted the Congress for its "shirtless" protest at the recent AI summit in New Delhi and Gandhi for having 'chai-pakora' on the stairs of Parliament House.
"We were also in the opposition and staged protests against the government, but there is a right platform for it," he said.
"Parliament is a sacred seat of democracy. Its stairs should not be used for even dharnas. And Rahul Gandhi was having 'chai-pakora' there. Doesn't he know where to have his breakfast?" asked the Union minister.
Shah inaugurated the Rs 675-crore Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital in Guwahati, at a programme held on its premises.
He also virtually inaugurated two cancer centres at Golaghat and Tinsukia, both under Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), constructed at a cost of Rs 135 crore each.
Shah virtually laid the foundation stone for super-speciality hospitals at Diphu Medical College and Hospital (Rs 220 crore), Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (Rs 310 crore), and Barpeta Medical College and Hospital (Rs 284 crore).
The foundation stone for a Rs 218-crore Swasthya Bhawan in Guwahati, and the Abhayapuri District Hospital (Rs 115 crore) were also laid by the Union home minister.
Shah arrived here on Saturday evening on a two-day visit to Assam, his fourth visit to the northeastern state in four months.
