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Story behind the photograph: I took this photograph about 13 years ago in December from a train in North India. It seemed to relate well to the 2009 APHA Annual Meeting theme "Water and Public Health". I liked the way the common Indian Mynahs were waiting in queue to drink from the faucet. I cannot recall if the faucet had a drip, but I would assume so as the mynahs are very intelligent birds. The lettering is in Hindi and reads "Peenay ka pani," which translates to "Water for drinking.". Growing up in India, I was taught never to drink the water outside the home as it could make me sick. Now when I return to visit, I am especially careful about not drinking water outside or eating uncooked food. Mynahs belong to the starling family, are monogomous, and some of their relatives like the Hill Mynah are sought after as pets as they make the best talking birds. The common mynah, I read on the Web, is a serious pest in Australia where it was introduced in the 1860s to control the beetle problem.
Clever captions: We invited APHA Annual Meeting participants to submit captions for the photos, and in return they were given a T-shirt or tote-bag. When you read the captions, remember that HINI was very much in the news.
"How'd you get here?
I Flu."
"Finally, we can bathe! They only care about pigs now."
"Bathe quick, the humans are coming."
"Even birds need clean water! Save clean water for everyone."
"Aahh refreshing! Even the birds enjoy it."
"Free water for everyone."
"We all deserve clean and drinkable water."
This one was designed for a radio/TV spot featuring Larry, Curly and Moe. Larry say "Yes"; Curly says "We"' Moe says "Can". All say "Have free access."
"Great for resting, not for drinking."
"Seeking echo: Chirping over the well."
"Drinking water - it's universal."
The CHPPD Section Photo Contest was also announced in the Fall 2009 issue of the newsletter. When I looked back at the issue, the photograph was missed. I do not know if we forgot to include the photograph, or if it got lost during the editing process. But none of you missed or noticed it, so we are not apologizing.
By Priti Irani
CHPPD Section Chair