Myanmar Regime Troops Shoot 8 People Dead in Mandalay Night Raid

Eight people were shot dead and more than 30 were injured when police and soldiers opened fire with live rounds during a raid on residential areas in Mandalay on Sunday night.

The shootings followed a deadly confrontation between security forces and anti-regime protesters earlier in the afternoon.

Including the night raid fatalities, 249 people have been killed by the military regime as of Sunday night during crackdowns on peaceful pro-democracy supporters.

Local said security forces opened fire with automatic weapons in Aung Pin Lae in Mandalay’s Chanmyathazi Township. Rescue groups and locals said the shooting continued until midnight. In a video filmed by a resident, the sound of gunfire can be heard.

A 16-year-old teashop waiter was one of the victims of the violence, along with a 43-year-old member of a charity group who died after being shot, according to a local charity group. Security forces also broke into homes and beat residents.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, police and soldiers also fired live rounds while cracking down on a protest by residents in Aung Pin Lae.  One man was killed after being shot in the head and at least six people were severely injured.

There were also reports of the military opening fire on anti-coup demonstrations in the Shan State capital Taunggyi 

 

source: By The Irrawaddy

Fungi Based Clothing

Designer Stella McCartney unveils mycelium-based clothing

By Emily Chung

A model wears clothing unveiled by British designer Stella McCartney on March 18, 2021. It's made with Mylo, a leather substitute grown from fungi, which can be treated to have different leather-like colours and textures. (Bolt Threads)

This past week, British fashion designer Stella McCartney unveiled a black "leather" bustier top and pants made not from cow hide, but mycelium — which is grown from fungi. 

Up until now, if you wanted leather that wasn't made from animals, you've probably had to settle for plastic "pleather," which comes with a different set of environmental problems.

But a number of big brands, including Stella McCartney, Adidas, Lululemon and Hermes, in partnership with biotechnology startups Bolt Threads and MycoWorks, say later this year you'll be able to buy more products with leather made from another bio-based material that's grown by recycling waste.

Mycelium is already on the market in the form of styrofoam-like packaging, "un-leather" handbags, flooring and sound-proofing acoustic panels. It's also been experimentally used to build larger structures such as benches, coffins, composting toilets and even buildings.

But manufacturers are now aiming to scale up the products and applications made from mycelium, which they tout as a more sustainable substitute for petroleum-derived plastics such as styrofoam and vinyl, leather made with harsh chemicals from water-guzzling, methane-belching cows and even other bio-based materials such as cardboard and wood.

In the future, they say it could even be used to make advanced materials such as transparent "paper" or construct buildings that can be triggered to automatically biodegrade at the end of their useful life.

What is mycelium?

Mycelium is made of fungi. While you may think of them as plants, they technically aren't and are more closely related to animals. (Fungi and animals are in different "kingdoms" but the same "supra-kingdom," while plants are in a different supra-kingdom.)

You might associate fungi with mushrooms, but mycelium is a different part of the fungus — its fast-growing network of roots, rather than the compact fruits we know as mushrooms.

What makes mycelium more sustainable than the materials it replaces?

Those who use mycelium tout its low environmental footprint as its biggest advantage.

Dan Widmaier, CEO of California-based Bolt Threads, said that among the brands that work with his company, 70 per cent of their environmental impact comes from the materials they use.

"Broadly speaking, those materials have to change if there's going to be eight billion of us and counting on the planet," Widmaier said.

Bolt Threads says its mycelium-based leather, Mylo, emits fewer greenhouse gases and uses less water and resources than animal leather.

Dan Widmaier, CEO of Bolt Threads, folds a sheet of Mylo. (Ashley Batz/Bolt Threads)

Alexander Bismarck, a professor of materials chemistry, and Mitchell Jones, a postdoctoral researcher at the Technical University of Vienna, have studied the sustainability of fungi-derived leather substitutes. 

They note that in nature, fungi help soils capture and store carbon through their symbiotic relationships with plants, making their growth "effectively carbon neutral." When grown to make mycelium-based materials, they can upcycle waste such as food and agricultural residues without the heating that's usually required for manufacturing processes.

That's in contrast to raising cattle, which is known to consume and pollute water, use lots of land and generate greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change at a higher rate than most other domestic animals. With leather, lots of potentially harmful chemicals and energy are also used to tan the hides. 

Bismarck said compared to such animal-based materials — as well as plastics — mycelium-based products provide "a significant reduction in CO2 or greenhouse gas."

Mycelium has even been suggested as a replacement for other bio-based materials, such as cardboard, wood or bioplastics. Jones said even many of those have negative environmental impacts, such as the need to cut down trees or limited biodegradability. "The fungi doesn't really have that downside."

Mycelium packaging has been marketed as a green substitute for polystyrene. (Mushroom Packaging)

What can you buy now that's made of mycelium?

Over the past decade or so, biotechnology companies have launched a small number of mycelium-based products such as:

• Packaging, designed to replace styrofoam, from New York-based Ecovative Design. It's now produced by manufacturing partners in the U.S., U.K., Europe and New Zealand. Dell Technologies and IKEA are among those who have committed to using it.

• Coffins made by Dutch startup Loop that are not only biodegradable but also help biodegrade the bodies laid to rest inside.

• Flooring and acoustic tiles, which are sold by Italian interior design products firm Mogu. 

• Leather. MYCL, based in Bandung, Indonesia, partnered with local apparel brand BRODO, to launch sneakers, sandals, wallets, luggage tags and watch straps made of its mycelium-based leather Mylea last year.

Two U.S. competitors aim to make mycelium-based leather more widely available this year. 

• Bolt Threads (which licensed its initial technology from Ecovative) was supposed to deliver its first product made of Mylo, the Driver bag, to Kickstarter backers late last year, but delivery was delayed after the batch produced by its manufacturing partner didn't meet quality standards. The company also announced in October that it would partner with Adidas, Kering, Lululemon and Stella McCartney to launch Mylo products in 2021. (The items unveiled by Stella McCartney this week aren't yet available for sale.)

• San Francisco-based MycoWorks announced earlier this month that it had partnered with luxury brand Hermes to make a version of the Victoria bag that will be the first product using a mycelium-based leather called Sylvania.

How is mycelium produced and turned into new materials and products?

Step one is obviously to grow it. That can be done either in a nutritious liquid or on a bed of solid materials. Either can include waste products ranging from blackstrap molasses to sawdust from furniture production.

What's suitable depends on the fungal species, which can be found in different habitats in the wild, said Joe Dahmen, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia School of Architecture, who has been working with mycelium-based materials for several years.

For example, oyster mushrooms, which he works with, grow on hardwood trees but not conifers. Some of the materials used commercially include cotton fibres or hemp hurds, the inner cores of the stems.

Mycelium is cultivated in bags on the left side of this greenhouse before being molded into different shapes. (AFJD)

The fungi also need water and nutrients, and they're generally kept in humidity- and temperature-controlled environments to prevent them from producing mushrooms — a completely different material that can also generate potentially irritating spores. Fruiting typically happens when the fungi think it's autumn, Dahmen said. 

Fungi are fast-growing — it takes just a week to grow mycelium for Mushroom Packaging and two weeks for Mylo, their manufacturers say. They're often grown with high levels of CO2 to encourage them to grow outward in search of oxygen.

Once ready, the mycelium is usually dehydrated and processed with machines and chemicals to improve the density, strength, elasticity and texture.

All that means mycelium-based materials generally aren't pure mycelium, but a "composite," Bismarck noted. They contain the material it was grown on along with anything added during processing.

Widmaier said that's part of the "secret sauce" for Mylo. "We start with the mycelium, and then we do everything from making sure it doesn't rot to making sure it's finished appropriately and it's got the right colour."

Bolt Threads was supposed to deliver its first product made of Mylo, the Driver bag, to Kickstarter backers late last year. But delivery was delayed after the batch produced by its manufacturing partner didn’t meet quality standards. (Bolt Threads)

Is the fungus still alive and can it keep growing within products?

For most commercial products (except for coffins), the mycelium is heat treated long before it reaches the customer in order to kill it, maintain the product's intended form and eliminate the risk that it could form mushrooms and allergens such as spores.

Oyster mushrooms grow out of bricks molded from mycelium. They were used to build a wall for an art installation created by AFJD, the design studio of Joe Dahmen and his wife, Amber Frid-Jiminez. (AFJD)

That said, some designers, such as Dahmen and his wife, Amber Frid-Jimenez, Canada Research Chair in Design and Technology at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design, have experimented with living fungi.

"As architects and designers, we were really interested in the idea of a material that might aggregate and continue to grow once it was in the shape or form of whatever it was we were designing to," said Dahmen, who has a design studio with Frid-Jimenez called AFJD.

They once built a wall at the Museum of Vancouver that consisted of individual mycelium bricks that were left alive and eventually fused together.

"So you could imagine a kind of building technology that can kind of evolve and continue to grow, you know — sort of magical, in a way," he said.

In 2016, they created benches made from mycelium that included a space in the middle for mushrooms to fruit. They remained in use on campus for several months.

Generally, in normal indoor or outdoor conditions, they dry out and become inert. "But that doesn't mean they can't reawaken later," he said.

This mycelium bench created by Dahmen and Frid-Jimenez was alive and had holes in the middle for the mushrooms to grow. (Krista Jahnke)

That means it might be possible to engineer a building made with inert, mycelium-based materials that can be triggered to decompose or self-demolish at the end of the building's useful life. "In the right conditions, they might reawaken and start digesting the materials and finish the building." 

What else could mycelium be used for in the future?

Both Dahmen and Bismarck say it has a lot of potential as a building material — to replace foam insulation, for example.

Its insulating abilities have prompted Dahmen to use mycelium to create a biodegradable composting toilet for refugee camps that traps heat to speed up decomposition by heat-loving bacteria. After use, it can simply be buried. Dahmen is even playing around with integrating seeds into it so "basically you're kind of converting the excrement into a flower bed at the end."  

Bismarck and Jones have been experimenting with ways to make more advanced materials from mycelium. For example, they have found that by growing it in a mineral-rich environment, they can create mineralized, fire-resistant insulation panels.

Mycelium can also be used to make new advanced materials, such as these transparent, ultra-strong paper-like sheets. (Alexander Bismarck)

While most current mycelium products are composites that include agricultural or wood fibres, the researchers are also trying to create "nanomaterials" with pure fungi selected for their extra-fine fibres.

Those can be processed in a blender with some chemicals into interesting materials such as transparent, paper-like sheets. The mycelium paper can be made 10 times stronger than regular paper or designed to filter viruses or heavy metals from water.

One of the applications they're testing right now is mycelium-based wound dressings, which can help reduce bleeding, keep bacteria out and accelerate healing.

"It's simply incredible what a fungus can do," Bismarck said, adding that there are an estimated 5.1 million types of fungi out there, many with untapped potential. "It's still a vast space of biology that can do something for you."

China Makes It A Crime To Question Military Death Toll On The Internet

 

By Emily Feng

A paramilitary police officer talks next to a screen showing frontier soldiers of the People's Liberation Army during an event at a primary school in Wuzhishan, Hainan province, China, on Feb. 22. On the screen are (L-R) Qi Fabao, who was seriously wounded in the border clash with Indian troops in June last year, and four who were killed: Chen Hongjun, Chen Xiangrong, Xiao Siyuan and Wang Zhuoran.

BEIJING — When China acknowledged this year that four of its soldiers had died fighting Indian forces on the two countries' disputed mountain border eight months prior, the irreverent blogger Little Spicy Pen Ball had questions.

"If the four [Chinese] soldiers died trying to rescue their fellow soldiers, then there must have been those who were not successfully rescued," he wrote on Feb. 19 to his 2.5 million followers on Weibo, a Chinese social media site. "This means the fatalities could not have just been four."

The day after, Qiu Ziming, the 38-year-old former newspaper journalist behind the blog, was detained and criminally charged. If convicted, he faces a sentence of up to three years.

"Little Spicy Pen Ball maliciously slandered and degraded the heroes defending our country and the border," according to the annual work report published by the country's chief prosecutor office this month.

A contrite Qiu, sitting behind bars, called his actions "an obliteration of conscience" in a taped statement aired on the state broadcaster's prime-time news show on March 1.

Qiu's is the first case to be tried under a sweeping new criminal law that took effect March 1. The new law penalizes "infringing on the reputation and honor of revolutionary heroes." At least six other people have been detained or charged with defaming "martyrs." The government uses the terms "revolutionary heroes" and "martyrs" for anyone it memorializes for their sacrifice for the Communist Party.

The detentions typify the stricter controls over online speech under Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which have deterred nearly all open dissent in the country. The new law even seeks to criminalize speech made outside China.

Such is the case of Wang Jingyu, 19, who lives in the United States and is now a wanted man in his hometown of Chongqing, China. The authorities accuse him of slandering dead Chinese soldiers after Weibo reported him for a comment questioning the number of border fight casualties.

"This is killing a monkey to scare the chickens," Wang says. "The Chinese state wants to show others that if anyone wants to be like me or relay the truth, then you will be pursued."

A 2018 law allows police to investigate speech defaming martyrs. Several people have been detained as a result, according to an online spreadsheet kept by a free speech activist, but such behavior did not carry a jail sentence until now.

"Cyberspace is not outside the law," the Chongqing public security bureau said in an online notice after it declared Wang would be "pursued online" for his comments. "Public security organs will crack down on acts that openly insult the deeds and spirit of heroes and martyrs in accordance with the law."

It's unclear how authorities plan to apprehend Wang. A police officer who contacted Wang, asking him to turn himself in, did not answer calls and texts from NPR.

China's ruling Communist Party is hyper-sensitive to challenges of its rule. One of the newer threats it has identified is "historical nihilism" — that is, rejecting the party's official version of history and its pantheon of revolutionary heroes and martyrs.

The four Chinese soldiers who died during the border clash last June are the newest members of this canon. They were killed high up in the Himalayas, where hundreds of Chinese and Indian soldiers armed with nothing but stones and batons beat each other bloody, with each side accusing the other of alleged encroachments over an unmarked border line. Days after the incident, India said 20 of its troops died in the brawl.

China refused to confirm fatalities on its side until this February, when it released the names of four soldiers killed and a fifth who was critically injured in the disputed Galwan Valley area. State media ran extensive footage of their service and the last hours of their lives.

The sudden media blitz infuriated Wang, he says. He had closely followed China and India's border tensions and questioned the initial lack of fatalities reported by China. He wondered about the families of the soldiers who he suspected had died, left to grieve silently in the absence of official recognition.

In late February, as he sat in the backseat of a friend's car in Europe, Wang went back and forth for half an hour over whether to write anything online. He currently lives in California but his parents remain in the Chinese municipality of Chongqing, where they worked for two state-owned firms.

"I knew if I mocked these soldiers, it would bring a negative impact on my parents," Wang says. "But I was just too angry." He pressed publish on three comments under a news item lauding the four Chinese troops.

The People's Liberation Army soldiers "deserved to die," he wrote, and the Indian forces were within their rights to confront their "offenders." Wang now acknowledges the comments were offensive, but he says he deliberately crafted them to push the bounds of speech in China.

His comments went viral and were aired on China's most-watched evening news program. Shortly after, Wang says his parents were questioned for hours by police officers.

Chongqing's police department did not respond to a request for comment.

In the days following his social media posts, Wang says his mother and father were kept under effective house arrest in their Chongqing home, where they were able to call Wang twice, briefly, under police watch. He has been unable to reach them since.

"They told me they support me, and they are proud of me," Wang said.

Amy Cheng contributed research from Beijing.

As the Chinese embassy in London prepares to move into its new location...

Councilors voted to consider naming roads and buildings in the surrounding area of the site Tiananmen Square, Uyghur Court, Hong Kong Road, and Tibet Hill.

Tiananmen Square, Uyghur Court: Tower Hamlets plans name changes in solidarity

As the Chinese embassy prepares to move in, councillors vote to support the ‘freedom and diversity of our borough’

The Royal Mint building on Little Tower Hill in London has been purchased by the Chinese government to house its UK embassy. Photograph: Nigel Bowles/Alamy

By Haroon Siddique

At the handing-over ceremony for the site in the East End of London where the Chinese embassy is to be relocated, the ambassador boldly proclaimed that it would “write a new chapter for a China-UK golden era”.

Three years later, before the redevelopment has begun, those hopes appear in tatters after councillors in Tower Hamlets voted to consider naming roads and buildings in the surrounding area of the site Tiananmen Square, Uyghur Court, Hong Kong Road and Tibet Hill, to assert “support for the freedom and diversity of our borough”.

In a move that is likely to infuriate the Chinese government, the councillors said they welcomed the relocation of the embassy from the West End but “we must continue to make clear where our own standards and principles apply”.The motion was passed after months of campaigning by opposition councillors for the local authority to issue a statement about human rights abuses by China, in light of Beijing’s purchase of the Royal Mint site in the borough for its embassy. The repression of Uighur Muslims is particularly sensitive for Tower Hamlets, which has the highest proportion of Muslim residents (38%) of any borough, according to the latest census.

The motion states: “This council resolves that Tower Hamlets council investigates whether roads or possibly new buildings near the location of the proposed Chinese embassy could be renamed appropriately as acts of solidarity with historic symbols or placenames of Chinese significance; for example Tiananmen Square, Tibet Hill, Uyghur Court, Hong Kong Road and/or Xiaobo Road (in memory of Liu Xiaobo).”

Liu, a Nobel laureate and democracy campaigner, died in Chinese custody aged 61 in 2017, having been sentenced to an 11-year jail term for demanding an end to one-party rule.

The motion also notes that the Chinese embassy in the UK has written to a number of schools in the area to explore opportunities for potential collaboration, and calls for the nature of this to be ascertained to ensure it reflects the borough’s “proud history of standing up for each other as one community and celebrating our differences”.

It extends a welcome in the borough to Hong Kong residents taking up British citizenship under a new visa scheme and says the council will investigate what other actions it can take to show solidarity.

It is a far cry from the March 2018 handing-over ceremony for the historic Royal Mint site facing the Tower of London, when China’s ambassador Liu Xiaoming said the embassy would become “a new landmark in London” and the Tower Hamlets mayor, John Biggs, said the move showed the borough was “an open and dynamic place to live and work”.

Since then China has faced international condemnation of its repression of the predominantly Muslim Uighur people and clampdown on dissent in Hong Kong.

There have been heightened tensions between China and the west of late. Last year the UK foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, condemned what he called “gross and egregious” human rights abuses in China’s western Xinjiang region, and last week he accused China of breaching the legal deal over the governance of Hong Kong.

The Liberal Democrat councillor Rabina Khan, who proposed the council motion, said: “Tower Hamlets has a unique history of welcoming people and at Wednesday’s full council meeting politicians unanimously came together on the amended motion that whilst we welcome the proposed relocation of the Chinese embassy, we also stand up against the CCP’s [Chinese Communist party’s] human rights violations.”

The motion assures the borough’s constituents that there will be no financial cost to them associated with the naming of the roads or buildings.

Last month council officers raised concerns about a separate issue in relation to the embassy: the impact on views of the Tower of London.

In a previous statement to the Guardian, the Chinese embassy in the UK said the new building would be a symbol of a “robust relationship” between the countries and that people should “stop using human rights as an excuse to interfere in China’s internal affairs”.

... as you join us today from Hong Kong, we have a small favour to ask. Through these turbulent and challenging times, millions rely on the Guardian for independent journalism that stands for truth and integrity. Readers chose to support us financially more than 1.5 million times in 2020, joining existing supporters in 180 countries.

For 2021, we commit to another year of high-impact reporting that can counter misinformation and offer an authoritative, trustworthy source of news for everyone. With no shareholders or billionaire owner, we set our own agenda and provide truth-seeking journalism that’s free from commercial and political influence. When it’s never mattered more, we can investigate and challenge without fear or favour.

Unlike many others, we have maintained our choice: to keep Guardian journalism open for all readers, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. We do this because we believe in information equality, where everyone deserves to read accurate news and thoughtful analysis. Greater numbers of people are staying well-informed on world events, and being inspired to take meaningful action.

In the last year alone, we offered readers a comprehensive, international perspective on critical events – from the Black Lives Matter protests, to the US presidential election, Brexit, and the ongoing pandemic. We enhanced our reputation for urgent, powerful reporting on the climate emergency, and made the decision to reject advertising from fossil fuel companies, divest from the oil and gas industries, and set a course to achieve net zero emissions by 2030.

Women greengrocers plan to dump vegetables on Manipur streets

 By Iboyaima Laithangbam

Imphal, Mar 18:

The move was to protest the failure of the government to allot market places after the all-woman markets were shut down last year in the wake of COVID-19.

Thousands of women who have been selling all varieties of vegetables in the markets in and around the Imphal city have planned to dump their vegetables on the streets.

A woman retailer, Binasakhi, said that the move was in protest against the failure of the government to allot market places to them after the all-woman markets in Manipur were shut down in March 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Police have beefed up security measures to ensure that the women do not strew the vegetables in the streets.

Saytabati, another woman retailer said, “In Manipur women sell vegetables and other kinds of consumer items to run the houses. All these months we could not earn anything. We could not send our children to schools. It was quite a struggle to arrange two square meals a day”.

The women leaders told reporters that the government had closed down the markets in an attempt to contain the pandemic. However, they could not understand the government’s logic of allowing greengrocer bubbles to do thriving business a little away from the markets. The women greengrocers at lanes and small fields in some localities do not observe the standard operating procedures, including the use of face masks.

Recently, Chief Minister N. Biren had reopened the three women’s markets in the Imphal city. He said that during the closure of the markets loans were given to the women retailers. However, most of the women greengrocers and street vendors were not given any place to do their business.

 

Uniting Clashing Tribes With Sports, Manipur NGO Improves Attendance of 500 Kids

How Recognize Rise and Empower Association (RREA), a non-profit in Manipur, delivers quality education and is ending clash of the clans through sports. Their Sports for Social Development programme in Kamjong district is significantly improving students’ attendance, too.

By Rinchen Norbu Wangchuk

Last March, while the rest of the country was in lockdown, two villages inhabited by the Kuki and Thankgkul Naga tribes, respectively, in Kamjong district, Manipur, were suffering an ordeal of another kind. The Kukis from the Chassad village and the Tangkhul Nagas from the Sampui village have been engaged in a violent feud over decades-long land dispute. This resulted in armed attacks, burnt down jhum fields, homes and looting of household goods.

Such clashes capture the hostility that has existed between both tribes since colonial times. Suffice it to say, these hostilities revolve primarily over land rights, and more importantly, these clashes in the state aren’t limited to these two tribes or communities. In such a context, it does beg the question, what possibilities can sports create in a region which has historically witnessed different ethnic conflicts, bloodshed and violence?

Mathanmi Hungyo, the founder of Recognize Rise and Empower Association (RREA)—a non-profit which is working towards delivering quality education in Manipur’s border villages—and Rohit Agarwal, a programme director with RREA, explored that possibility in early 2018.

After all, this is a state which has consistently produced elite athletes ranging from Ngangom Bala Devi, the first Indian woman to become a professional footballer who currently plies her trade at Scottish giants Rangers FC to champion amateur boxers like MC Mary Kom and Dingko Singh, and weightlifting legends like Mirabai Chanu.

Tapping into the sporting potential of the state, RREA started an initiative called Sports For Social Development in 2018. They piloted the initiative by collaborating with Tata Trust to launch Manipur’s first grassroots football centre in Kamjong High School. The intention behind this centre was to create a space for children to come and play.

Speaking to The Better India, the 27-year-old Mathanmi Hungyo, who identifies as a Tangkhul Naga, remembers growing up in Imphal city as a minority.

“At school, you could feel the tension and hostility that existed between different communities in terms of how we sat together in class and how we made friends. But on the field, where I loved playing football, we would unite irrespective of which tribe or community we came from. Our only objective was winning and playing the game. Taking note of my personal experience and thinking about our people, who love playing sports, we felt this could be a medium to strengthen our sense of fraternity. A lot of our personal experiences went into developing this programme because we could see how sports could unite us by offering us spaces where we can come together,” notes Mathanmi.

“The pilot programme in 2018 created a monumental impact on developing children’s interest in sports. Many children started participating at the centre. Aside from marginally improving student attendance and enrolment, the most interesting outcome of this initiative was that children from different tribes started playing and interacting with each other. Leaving aside their identity-based differences, which have roots in historical clashes between different tribes in the strife-torn region, sports became a tool of conflict mitigation and peace-building among the students,” claims Rohit.

The Kamjong High School football team.

Breaking barriers through sports

Upon seeing the positive impact of their grassroots football centre at Kamjong High School, over more than one and half years, Mathanmi and Rohit felt a more comprehensive approach was required in their Sports for Social Development initiative. One which would encompass other aspects of children’s education.

Thus, in early 2020, the RREA expanded its grassroots football programme to other government schools—Phungyar Higher Secondary School and Kasom Khullen High School—and included other sports like volleyball, badminton, table tennis and even carrom for those interested in outdoor games.

Funded by the Kochi-based Anaha Trust, the programme also covered elements like developing play spaces in schools. This employs a more participatory approach where school, children, and community become equal participants in developing play spaces. Apart from this, the program intends to increase children’s attendance in school, support their learning competencies and enhance the scope for personality development. It also supplements RREA’s Teach For Northeast Fellowship program.

“These schools are located in places driven by underdevelopment, insurgency, conflict and violence. Therefore, the value of sports is very high. Children from poor and marginalised backgrounds undergo different mental health issues, social dysfunction, and many other issues which affect their ability to learn. In such a context, a mediator like sports can actually ensure children’s right to quality education. The influence of sports on character formation and social cohesion has direct bearing on peaceful attitudes. It also helps children to better express themselves in the process. Self-awareness is an important life skill which children often develop through sports,” argues Rohit.

These elements evidently have a bearing on achieving peace between different communities, an essential objective for any initiative seeking social change.

“Sports offers a platform where children from different ethnic groups participate together to play and interact. This has led to building peace amongst each other. These children would otherwise remain in their own social groups when inside a classroom. But with the advent of our sports programme, their interest in playing with each other has grown. Sports has helped break these social barriers and encouraged children to interact with each other,” he adds.

Girls at Kamjong High School during football training.

Inspiring youth, inspiring generations

Driving the RREA’s initiative in these schools are 14 members of the organisation and sports educators, who have left behind good opportunities to return home and make a difference.

Take the example of Viso Shimray, a certified All India Football Federation (AIFF) ‘D’ licensed sports coach, who has previously worked with the Baichung Bhutia Football Academy in Delhi. Viso has come back to Manipur to be around his community in Kamjong and help the children through Sports.

“These educators are passionate youth who come from local communities. The idea is to invest and build capacity of the local youth so that the intervention remains sustainable. Also, these youth can inspire and become role models for the children as they would be able to relate with the local people more than someone from outside,” says Rohit.

The educators are qualified to conduct sports training and have prior experience in the field. They are both graduates and hold a masters degree in physical education. One of their educators, for example, completed his Masters degree from National Sports University.

Sports educator Viso Shimray coaching students.

“Sports sessions at these three schools extend for three-four days in a week, although earlier it was for all school days. But our sports educators felt that students needed regular breaks for physical recovery. Today, these sessions last for about 1.5 hours after school. They are coached for an hour and then play for another 30 minutes. Besides football, there is volleyball, badminton and table tennis. For those not interested in outdoor sports, we give them facilities to play games like carrom board. These students can choose whatever sport they want, but most girls and boys love football. Our project schools also participate in local sports tournaments. One of the schools, Phungyar Higher Secondary School, will host the upcoming inter-district sports competition,” says Mathanmi.

Recently, the Kamjong High School boys football team were awarded the ‘Best Team’ in a district-level school tournament thanks to their fine performances on the pitch. The team is now getting invitations for other tournaments organised at the State level.

Assisting the RREA is the district administration, which has extended their full support.

“We have received total cooperation from the district administration, but no monetary aid. For the recent Border Area Development Programme, a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the State government, the local district administration has sent a proposal to better equip indoor badminton and basketball courts at these schools. Although the proposal hasn’t been approved yet, they have expressed a genuine desire to help us build the necessary sports-related infrastructure for these schools,” adds Mathanmi.

Students exercising

The boys and girls who love football

Hanminao Malung, a student of Kamjong High School from Bungpa Khullen village, talks about how football has become a genuine medium for self-expression. Before the initiative took shape, she talks about how girls would mostly roam around the corridor or talk amongst their groups during their free time in school or recess. But thanks to educators like Viso, she found a platform to express herself through sports.

“One of the best things about sports in our school is our sports educator. Viso Sir provided us with all the necessary equipment and guidance to play sports. He also teaches us the health benefits of playing sports which no one told me before. Before our new sports educator, we were very hesitant to play sports. We felt that only boys would play sports like football. But our sports educators have also made girls play football. I like it when he brings together both boys and girls into mixed groups to play sports. Besides raising my confidence, the best part of playing football is the friends I have made,” she says.

Mangjalen Haokip, a 13-year-old boy from Chassad village, has always devoted himself to football. He was among the first students to join the sports programme at Kamjong High School in 2018. Prior to it, he played on his village playground without any guidance. Much to their credit, his parents have really encouraged him to pursue his interest in the sport.

“There have been various improvements in me personally and socially after attending the sports sessions. I am more open, confident and motivated. Thanks to sports, I have made many friends from other tribes, which I think helps the larger society,” he says.

Besides technique and skill, Mangjalen says that the football programme has taught him good manners, how to maintain a positive attitude and respect for punctuality.

“One of the biggest impacts of our initiative has been that children from different tribes started playing and interacting together. Children from different tribes are getting along well with each other and communicating in English. Before it was very common to see children interacting only with students from their tribes and speaking in their respective dialects. Also, during these sporting activities, it has been observed that children are now more supportive and accepting towards appointment of captains/other leadership positions towards students from other tribes. This change in the mindset of students and positive behavior development is the most rewarding impact of our initiative,” says Mathanmi.

Another significant impact has been improvement in school attendance. According to the RREA’s own findings, as a result of their intervention across the three government schools, 484 students (240 students – Phungyar High School, 170 students – Kamjong High School, 74 students – Kasom Khullen High School) who would earlier attend class less than 40 percent of the time now have attendance levels averaging over 80 per cent. Meanwhile, for the upcoming academic year, there are 200 students looking to enrol in Phungyar High School alone thanks to their sports development programme.

“The openness of these sports programmes encouraged school-going children to participate in the sport of their choice irrespective of their individual skills and talent levels. Apart from the three project government schools with around 500 direct student beneficiaries, RREA’s sports program is also supporting close to another 500 children from other community schools through sports. In total, we are impacting close to 1000 children. These 500 children are part of other community schools that also come to participate in the sports program. The number of these community schools varies in the range of 12-14 in number with a mix of private, government aided and government schools,” says Rohit.

“Any child who does not have access to play spaces lacks the opportunity to develop holistically. Thus, creation of play spaces in schools provides children with an opportunity to network, socialise and interact with each other. They are now able to establish positive relationships with their peer groups and students from other tribes. In addition, children are able to form a positive self-image, thereby allowing themselves to accept the way they are. This gives children a better understanding of values like empathy where they are no longer judging others. Instead, they are cooperating and supporting each other,” says Mathanmi.

 

 Source: thebetterindia.com/

Proving there is NO age limit on sex appeal! 57-year-old model becomes Sports Illustrated Swimsuit's oldest ever Rookie as she stars in sizzling bikini shoot for the upcoming issue

• Kathy Jacobs appeared as a 2020 SI Swim Search finalist in the 2020 issue and is back this year as one of two winners
• She is the magazine's oldest Rookie and is hoping to bring change to the industry and fight ageism
• 'It’s time we take control and show the world that beauty has no age limit and that short girls can model too,' she told DailyMail.com 
• Other models in this year's issue announced so far include a former pediatric oncology nurse who returned to working in hospitals during the pandemic
• There are also curvy models, a #SISwimSearch winner who quit her corporate job to pursue modeling, and familiar faces like Lais Ribeiro and Josephine Skriver

Sports Illustrated  is proving that age is just a number with its latest Swimsuit Issue model reveal: a 57-year-old stunner who is holding her own among models half her age. 

Though the iconic magazine doesn't launch until July, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Instagram account has been unveiling one model a day throughout the month of March, and on Wednesday re-introduced one of the winners of its 2020 SI Swim Search: Kathy Jacobs.

At 57, Kathy is the magazine's oldest rookie to date — and she has made it her mission to encourage women to follow their dreams, no matter their age.

Voila! Kathy Jacobs has just been unveiled as one of this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue models

Lookin' good! At 57, she is the magazine's oldest Rookie and is hoping to bring change to the industry and fight ageism

Reprisal: She appeared as a 2020 SI Swim Search finalist in the 2020 issue and is back this year as one of two winners

Big reveals: Though the iconic magazine doesn't launch until July, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Instagram account has been unveiling one model a day throughout March

In a new image released today, Kathy poses in a high-waisted two-piece, her gray hair blowing around her shoulders.

The shoot is the culmination of a nearly two-year-long journey, which started in July of 2019 when Kathy walked the runway during the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show during Miami Swim Week.

Early last year, she was picked as one of 16 finalists for the annual SI Swim Search, and went on to appear in the 2020 issue. Then, in August of 2020, the magazine named her one of two winners of the search, alongside Tanaye White, with a promise that she'd be back in 2021.

Kathy isn't actually the magazine's oldest model — that honor goes to icon Christie Brinkley, who last posed for SI Swim at age 63 — but the Calabasas, California native is the oldest Rookie the magazine has ever had, and she's proud of it.

'Becoming the oldest and shortest Rookie is bigger than just myself,' she told DailyMail.com last year.

'It is being a part of a larger movement of women around the world saying enough is enough! It’s time we take control and show the world that beauty has no age limit and that short girls can model too. 

Wow! Kathy isn't actually the magazine's oldest model — that's Christie Brinkley, who last posed for SI Swim at age 63 — but the Calabasas, California native is the oldest Rookie

'Becoming the oldest and shortest Rookie is bigger than just myself,' she told DailyMail.com last year

She said: 'It is being a part of a larger movement of women around the world saying enough is enough!'

'It’s time we take control and show the world that beauty has no age limit and that short girls can model too,' she said

'I am so excited to represent a group of women that might not feel heard and I'm hoping to help change the industry. Thank you SI Swimsuit for believing in me!' 

Meanwhile, editor MJ Day spoke out about the picture, writing on Instagram: 'Kathy possesses the power of persistence, hard work and what it means to follow your dreams. 

'She is one of our Swim Search winners and from the very beginning has not only championed the fight against ageism, but has prioritized the women of the Swim Search community that are pursuing their own dreams and goals. 

'There has never been a more prolific team player than Kathy! She is constantly making time for others while forging her own career. She is a living proof that we need to stop putting limits on ourselves and celebrate the non-traditional ways we can reach our goals and push ourselves.'

Kathy was also gushing about her high-profile gig last July, saying that hopes her appearance in the issue will help change readers' views of beauty. 

'Two things you can't change about yourself are how old you are and how tall you are,' she said. 

Go, girl! Editor MJ Day spoke out about the picture, writing on Instagram: 'Kathy possesses the power of persistence, hard work and what it means to follow your dreams'

Chasing her dreams: In August of 2020, the magazine named her one of two winners of the search, alongside Tanaye White, and took her to Turks and Caicos for a shoot

Workin' it! The shoot is the culmination of a nearly two-year-long journey, which started in July of 2019 when Kathy walked the runway during the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show during Miami Swim Week

'We as women over 50 need to stand together and realize how amazing, relevant, beautiful and sexy we all are,' she said 

'That's the great thing about Sports Illustrated is they just keep reinventing themselves and they keep reinventing what is your view of beauty. And they keep showing people that there's more than one kind of beauty out there.'

Speaking to Access Hollywood, she added: 'So many of us just feel terrible about ourselves when we hit 50. I hope that other women that are afraid to pursue their dreams take a look at me and say, "Hey, if she did this at 56 years old, I can do this no matter how old I am."' 

Previously, Jacobs spoke out about trying and failing to make the cut — but not letting it stop her from going after it again. 

'I've entered the SI Swimsuit Model Search and flown to Miami twice,' she said. 'The first time I didn’t make it past the first round. But I didn’t give up! 

'I felt a burning desire to try again and to be part of a change in the way society views women over 50.' 

The longtime model and actress said that ageism 'impacts all of us,' but she wants that to stop once and for all.

Front and center: The longtime model and actress said that ageism 'impacts all of us' but she wants that to stop once and for all 

Fifty and fab: The California native was a finalist for the 2020 #SISwimSearch

Mother-daughter: Kathy certainly isn't shy about posing in swimwear or lingerie, and has modeled both before — including in shots with her daughter, Abigail Rose 

'I am doing this to be part of a change in the views on women over 50, not only by society, but by ourselves. It is a boomerang effect, and we as women over 50 need to stand together and realize how amazing, relevant, beautiful and sexy we all are,' she said.

'It's time women of all ages unite and claim our power,' she said.  

Jacobs certainly isn't shy about posing in swimwear or lingerie, and has modeled both before — including in shots with her daughter, Abigail Rose.

The two even starred together in a Third Love underwear campaign. 

She's also been in a Green Day music video and has done campaigns for Beauty Blender, Bissy Swim, and NuMe Professional Styling. 

 

Meets Sports Illustrated Swimsuit's 2021 stars: Magazine unveils diverse cast of models for its upcoming issue, from veterans like Josephine Skriver and Lais Ribeiro to a curvy YouTube star and a COVID nurse 

The SI Swimsuit Issue has grown increasingly diverse over recent years, casting women of different ages, body types, and backgrounds. 

This year's lineup includes the first black and Asian transgender model, several curvy models, and a former pediatric oncology nurse who returned to hospitals during the pandemic.  

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Boundary breaking! Chicago-born model, dancer, actor, and activist Leyna Bloom, 27, appears in the issue as well

Strike a pose! She is the first ever black and Asian transgender model to grace the pages of its annual Swimsuit Issue

She's following in the footsteps of Valentina Sampaio, who became the first trans model to pose for SI Swim last year

First: 'Port Authority' star Leyna has already racked up several 'firsts,' including being the first trans woman of color to have a leading role in a movie featured at the Cannes Film Festival

Leyna Bloom 

Chicago-born model, dancer, actor, and activist Leyna Bloom, 27, is the second trans model to pose for SI Swim, following in the footsteps of Valentina Sampaio, who became the first trans model to pose for SI Swim last year. 

'Port Authority' star Leyna has already racked up several 'firsts,' including being the first trans woman of color to have a leading role in a movie featured at the Cannes Film Festival. 

She was also one of only a few trans models to take to the runways of New York City Fashion Week, the only trans model to walk in the Tommy Hilfiger x Zendaya’s 2019 Fall/Winter show, and was the first trans woman of color in Vogue India.   

Leyna says their presence in the magazine refutes criticism that the brand is just about objectifying women. 

'This is a magazine that says we're allowed to be beautiful in all our shapes and sizes, and that should be loved, because we're not often seen in that way,' she told Good Morning America.

'I never imagined that I would be born in a time when something like this would happen for someone with my skin tone and for someone with my background.'  

Strut! She was the only trans model to walk in the Tommy Hilfiger x Zendaya’s 2019 Fall/Winter show, and was the first trans woman of color in Vogue India

Proud: Leyna says their presence in the magazine refutes criticism that the brand is just about objectifying women

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Praises: SI Swim editor MJ Day said she is 'strikingly gorgeous and has an undeniable sense of self that shines through the minute she walks on set'

MJ Day also appeared on the morning show to sing Leyna's praises.

'She walked on that set and she owned it. And that's what I want for every woman to feel in their life. They have a seat at the table, they have a right to be there,' she said. 

Writing on Instagram, the editor added that Leyna is 'strikingly gorgeous and has an undeniable sense of self that shines through the minute she walks on set'. 

'Her story represents one grounded in resilience and we couldn’t be more thrilled to help her tell it,' she went on.  

'Her presence as the first trans woman of color to be in our issue is a result of her lifetime dedication to forging her own path that has led to acceptance, love and change. 

'She represents every person’s right to love themselves and be who they want to be. We are honored to have her in this year's issue and understand the effect it will have on so many others. She joins our team, not because of what she represents but because of her beauty, commitment and desire to leave the world a better place.'  

A model nurse! Maggie Rawlins is a former pediatric oncology nurse who returned to hospitals during the pandemic

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History: She was working as a nurse in Charleston, South Carolina when she was scouted and changed careers, eventually earning modeling gigs with Love Magazine and Elle Croatia

She said: 'I feel like everyone has a role and responsibility to play during the pandemic. Since I have an active nursing license, I felt like [going back to nursing] was the right thing to do'

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'Not only is she an incredibly beautiful model, she is also living proof that it’s never too late to give back to your community,' said editor MJ Day 

Maggie Rawlins

Maggie Rawlins doesn't just bring brains and beauty to SI Swim — she also brings heart, as a nurse who has volunteered at hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She was working as a nurse in Charleston, South Carolina when she was scouted and changed careers, eventually earning modeling gigs with Love Magazine and Elle Croatia. 

But when the pandemic hit, she returned to her healthcare roots to save lives in Queens, New York hospitals and by volunteering as a One World Health ambassador. 

'I was working in LA, and I booked a flight back [to South Carolina] thinking it would be a month or so,' Rawlins, who has modeled for lingerie brand Intimissimi and secured the October cover of Elle Croatia, told the New York Post. 

'I had the skill set as a nurse, and it was a responsibility more than anything else... You just hit the ground running. There were a lot of obstacles.' 

Speaking to People, Maggie added: 'I feel like everyone has a role and responsibility to play during the pandemic. Since I have an active nursing license, I felt like [going back to nursing] was the right thing to do. Additionally, it was in New York City… That city has been so good to me, and I wanted to give back.' 

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She working at a Queens medical facility as a registered nurse at the height of the pandemic

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Maggie is a former pediatric oncology nurse and a OneWorld Health volunteer

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While modeling, Rawlins volunteered with nonprofit OneWorld Health to keep her credentials. She traveled to countries such as Uganda and Nicaragua, working as a triage nurse

MJ Day shared the decision to cast her this year on Instagram, explaining: 'Not only is she an incredibly beautiful model, she is also living proof that it’s never too late to give back to your community. She returned to her career in nursing when COVID-19 hit, volunteering to work at several hospitals in Queens. 

'As a former pediatric oncology nurse and a COVID frontline warrior, her dedication, commitment and passion towards helping others are the types of traits we love to celebrate and highlight.'

'I had no idea I was even on SI's radar,' Maggie added. 'I got a call from my agent saying I was up for it. Then two hours later, he said, "You're confirmed for Sports Illustrated, and you're shooting in three weeks."'

The married model had to quickly get back in shape as she had been indulging in treats like red wine. 

The SI model notes Kathy Ireland and Elle Macpherson as her favorite swim models, and hopes that her bikini-clad moment brings awareness to health-care workers.   

'I want to stress that I was only there for three weeks, which is nothing compared to the sacrifices they have made,' she said. 'COVID hasn't stopped for them.'  

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Va-va-voom! Marquita Pring, 30, from Albany, New York has been modeling since age 15, signing with IMG curvy model devision in 2010

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Back! Last year, she joined SI Swimsuit as a rookie, and now she's back for take two

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Experience: She's walked for Jean Paul Gaultier in his Spring 2011 show, posed for Vogue Italia, and appeared in campaigns for L'Oreal and Levi Strauss & Co

Marquita Pring

Marquita Pring, 30, from Albany, New York has been modeling since age 15, signing with IMG curvy model devision in 2010. 

She's walked for Jean Paul Gaultier in his Spring 2011 show, posed for Vogue Italia, and appeared in campaigns for L'Oreal and Levi Strauss & Co.

Last year, she joined SI Swimsuit as a rookie, and now she's back for take two.

'Marquita is a natural fit for our brand,' said editor MJ Day. 

'She is effortless to photograph, and a pleasure to be around. She is smart, competent, established, possesses a hunger and dedication to changing the industry. 

'Her voice is powerful, and it is an important one for the world to hear. She represents so many different types of women and we are incredibly lucky to be a part of her story.'

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On fire! Natalie Mariduena, 24, is a phenomenon,' said MJ Day. 'She is beautiful, kind, intelligent and creative'

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Natalie (left) is already known to some internet users as the assistant of David Dobrik (center), and now she's getting the spotlight all to herself in this summer's SI Swimsuit Issue

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'Being at the forefront of industry change, Natalie beautifully blurs the line in a world that too often tells women that they have to pick a lane and stay in it.

Natalie Mariduena

Natalie Mariduena, 24, is already known to some internet users as David Dobrik's assistant, and now she's getting the spotlight all to herself in this summer's SI Swimsuit Issue.

The Vernon Hills, Illinois native, who is also Head of Brand for the new social app Dispo, is the first rookie to be named for 2021.

'Natalie is a phenomenon,' said MJ Day. 'She is beautiful, kind, intelligent and creative. 

'Fan after fan circled and approached her during our shoot and she graciously greeted every one of them with genuine warmth and enthusiasm. You immediately get why she has made such an impact on her legions of fans. 

'Being at the forefront of industry change, Natalie beautifully blurs the line in a world that too often tells women that they have to pick a lane and stay in it. We are proud to celebrate a woman like Natalie, a like-minded individual, who is passionate about seeing the SI Swimsuit message through. 

'She recognizes the importance of changing the industry, using her following and her notoriety to help others. She has created her own success story through her entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen and relatable mentality.' 

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Beauty queen: Minnesota native Haley Kalil, 28, is a former Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2010 and Miss Minnesota USA 2014

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Smarty pants: She graduated summa cum laude from St. Cloud State University with a degree in medical biology and psychology and volunteered at the local hospital

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Flashback: Haley is pictured modeling during the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show

Haley Kalil

Minnesota native Haley Kalil, 28, is a former Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2010 and Miss Minnesota USA 2014.

But she's not just a pretty face: She graduated summa cum laude from St. Cloud State University with a degree in medical biology and psychology and volunteered at the local hospital and in an immunology lab during school.

These days, she's a pro modeling for SI Swimsuit, having made her debut in the magazine's first-ever casting call in 2018 — where she was named co-winner with Camille Kostek. 

'Haley possesses the most contagious energy and enthusiasm,' said MJ Day. 'Haley has positioned herself as a beauty with brains advocate — unabashedly encouraging women to be equally enthusiastic about academia and science while feeling beautiful and sexy at the same time. 

'Haley created #NerdHerd, a social media movement for women to showcase the multidimensional nature of womanhood — simultaneously embracing one’s body and one’s mind while still demanding respect. 

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Winner! Tanaye White, 29, was one of two winners of the 2020 #SISwimSearch

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Success! In November 2019, the Georgetown University graduate quit her high-powered job at the third largest defense and aerospace agency in the world to try her hand at modeling 

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'Tanaye is a force to be reckoned with,' said MJ Day. 'Beautiful, brilliant, humble, and hardworking, she’s accomplished so much on her own' 

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Lookin' good! Hailing from Southington, Connecticut, White tried out during the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show (pictured)

Tanaye White

Tanaye White, 29, was one of two winners of the 2020 #SISwimSearch.

In November 2019, the Georgetown University graduate quit her high-powered job at the third largest defense and aerospace agency in the world to try her hand at modeling — and will earned a spot as a rookies in the 2021 issue.   

'Tanaye is a force to be reckoned with,' said MJ Day. 'Beautiful, brilliant, humble, and hardworking, she’s accomplished so much on her own and is a prime example of what can happen when you unapologetically pursue your dreams. 

'This year will be a game changer for Tanaye as she takes the next step in her modeling career as an official ROOKIE in SI Swimsuit and as an advocate for representation.'

After earning the spot last year, the Southington, Connecticut native gushed to DailyMail.com: 'My dream really came true and I still can’t believe it!' 

'I prayed so hard for this and if anything, this shows working hard and speaking things into existence is the key to achieving anything you desire. I feel like I’m on cloud 9! I never want this feeling to end.'  

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Star power: Lais Ribeiro, 30, is one of the handful of models who've stunned as both an SI Swimsuit model and a Victoria's Secret Angel

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Wowza! Modeling since 2009, she's walked runways for Carolina Herrera, Diane Von Furstenberg, Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs, and more

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'Lais has an aura of effortlessness around her that acts as a magnetic force, making it difficult to look away,' said MJ Day

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Big star: Lais is pictured at the 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Lais Ribeiro

Lais Ribeiro, 30, is one of the handful of models who've stunned as both an SI Swimsuit model and a Victoria's Secret Angel.

Modeling since 2009, she's walked runways for  Carolina Herrera, Diane Von Furstenberg, Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, and Michael Kors, and was the most sought-after model in 2011 with more than 50 shows in a seingle season. 

'Lais has an aura of effortlessness around her that acts as a magnetic force, making it difficult to look away,' said MJ Day. 

'She is gorgeous, and on top of that, she is an incredibly hard-working mother whose energy brings so much joy to those around her. 

'She uses her platform to spread awareness around autism and what it’s like to be a mother of an autistic son. If there is one thing we can do as a brand, it’s to empower individuals to speak up for what they are passionate about and Lais uses her reach and influence to do just that.'

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Favorites: SI Swimsuit 2018 cover star Danielle Herrington, 27, is back again for the 2021 issue

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A stand! She is proudly wearing her hair in braids, a protective hairstyle that has long faced racist backlash — and which she hasn't been able to rock since she was a young teen

Danielle Herrington

SI Swimsuit 2018 cover star Danielle Herrington, 27, is back again for the 2021 issue.

But the Compton, California-born model is doing something a bit different this time around: She is proudly wearing her hair in braids, a protective hairstyle that has long faced racist backlash — and which she hasn't been able to rock since she was a young teen.

Danielle has evolved into such a powerful woman and is taking ownership of how she wants to be represented,' said MJ Day. 

'For this year’s shoot she expressed to us her desire to wear her hair in braids. As an in-demand, constantly-working model, she hasn’t been able to do that since she was 13. 

'We immediately said yes and she showed up on set as the most confident, vibrant and happiest version of herself! 

'The industry often dictates how women can present themselves and we wanted to give Danielle a space to choose how she is represented.'

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Number one! Kate Bock, 33, was the first 2021 Swimsuit Issue model to be revealed on Instagram at the beginning of the month

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'It was such a treat to feel like myself again, being back on a shoot, on set, and on location,' she said

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Jealous! The model, who is engaged to Kevin Love, also admitted that she doesn't do much dieting ahead of a shoot

Kate Bock

Kate Bock, 33, was the first 2021 Swimsuit Issue model to be revealed on Instagram at the beginning of the month.

'This unprecedented year has made me even more grateful for every opportunity in my life with @si_swimsuit right at the top of the list,' she said on Instagram. 'I'm dreaming from my apartment in sweatpants of being that girl on the beach right now.'

Speaking to People, Kate said that shooting in Miami this year was a special treat amidst the pandemic.

'It was such a treat to feel like myself again, being back on a shoot, on set, and on location. We took every precaution and the shoot was great! Now I can't wait for it to come out!' she said. 

The model, who is engaged to Kevin Love, also admitted that she doesn't do much dieting ahead of a shoot.

'As a model, I sort of always want to feel good in my body, so nothing too significant happens when it's swimsuit shoot time. I don't always get much warning! I do my best to eat super clean, get a daily work out in, and drink as much water as possible going into a shoot!' she said.

Meanwhile, MJ Day praised Kate's 'hard work, dedication, consistent dependability, and her desire to show up in any way she can.' 

'She’s a prolific collaborator and acts as a sounding board for us because of her longevity with the brand and her industry experience. 

'Smart and savvy, Kate has parlayed her impeccable taste and business acumen into curating and collaborating with brands as an investor/equity partner and ambassador. After nine years, nothing brings me more joy than seeing Kate go from model to mogul in the making!'

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What a pro! Danish model Josephine Skriver, 27, is another old hat at swimsuit modeling, and also the second Victoria’s Secret Angel to appear in the magazine

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Designer fashion: Over the years, she's walked the runway for Calvin Klein, Rag & Bone, Balenciaga, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Yves Saint Lauren, and Prada 

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'It was an incredibly easy decision for us to work again with Josephine, SI Swimsuit’s Rookie of the Year in 2020,' said MJ Day

Josephine Skriver

Danish model Josephine Skriver, 27, is another old hat at swimsuit modeling, and also the second Victoria’s Secret Angel to appear in the magazine.

Over the years, she's walked the runway for Calvin Klein, Rag & Bone, Balenciaga, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Yves Saint Lauren, and Prada.

Last year, she was the 2020 SI Swimsuit Rookie of the Year. 

'It was an incredibly easy decision for us to work again with Josephine, SI Swimsuit’s Rookie of the Year in 2020,' said MJ Day. 

'Josephine inspires women, fiercely advocates for the LGBTQ+ community and carries herself like a true professional. 

'On top of the fact that she can talk a serious football game as one of Raiders Nation's most passionate superfans, she is a natural beauty with a heart of gold.'

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Classic: German-American Jasmine Sanders, 29, is another SI Swim alum, having nabbed the 2020 cover with Kate Bock and Olivia Culpo

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Pro power: She was also the 2019 Rookie of the Year, and has modeled for Victoria's Secret, Roberto Cavalli, MCM, Ralph Lauren, and several international editions of Vogue

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'When she first found out about her cover, her first reaction was to compliment the other two women she shared the image with,' said MJ Day

Jasmine Sanders

German-American Jasmine Sanders, 29, is another SI Swim alum, having nabbed the 2020 cover with Kate Bock and Olivia Culpo.

She was also the 2019 Rookie of the Year, and has modeled for Victoria's Secret, Roberto Cavalli, MCM, Ralph Lauren, and several international editions of Vogue.

'There are endless wonderful things to say about her but in my opinion, the most beautiful virtue she possesses is how she makes a special and genuine connection with everyone she encounters,' says editor MJ Day. 

'This industry carries some very heavy history of being cut throat and catty- just her presence resets that energy in a way that prioritizes community over competitiveness. 

'Lifting others up around her is instinctual. When she first found out about her cover, her first reaction was to compliment the other two women she shared the image with. 

'She is one of the most selfless individuals who has fought really hard to get to where she is today and doesn’t forget or neglect anyone that has helped her along the way. She shows up on set ready to work hard, nails every shot and still possesses a true humbleness that is such a rarity.'

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Beauty: Emily DiDonato's 2.2 million Instagram followers know the 30-year-old for her more than a decade-long modeling career — and her beauty brand, Covey

Way back: The IMG model got her start as the face of Maybelline New York in 2009, right after she graduated college

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Familiar: She made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue debut in 2013, and is back again for another shoot this year

Emily DiDonato

Emily DiDonato's 2.2 million Instagram followers know the 30-year-old for her more than a decade-long modeling career — and her beauty brand, Covey.

The IMG model got her start as the face of Maybelline New York in 2009, right after she graduated college, and she went on to model for Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Balmain, Givenchy, Miu Miu, Oscar de la Renta, Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Missoni, Elie Tahari, Longchamp, and more.

She made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue debut in 2013, and is back again for another shoot this year .

'Emily is an absolute stunner, a legend and industry darling,' MJ Day said. 'She is smart, kind hearted and honest and has remained that way throughout her tenure in the industry. 

'Her latest focus has been spreading the message of body positivity to millions digitally, building an amazing platform for herself on YouTube.'