EDIT | SEEMA
GOING
BEYOND LIMITS
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A Time for Reckoning
une is a month jam-packed with milestones. Arriving after a much needed three-day Memorial Day weekend respite in the United States, it heralds the coming of summer, the beginning of Pride Month, Juneteenth, Father’s Day, and World Fertility Awareness Month. June also brings the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, and signifies the end of the first half of the year, making it a time to take stock, and chart a new path for the remaining six months. This year, in particular, June brings new hope in the United States as we aim to reach President Biden’s goal of 70% vaccination of all adults by July 4. A new survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation suggests that this goal is reachable, given that 62% said they had received at least one dose of the vaccine in May (up from 56% in April). As we cautiously shed our masks post-vaccination, step back into stores and restaurants, and gather in small groups outdoors, I am reminded of how much we cherish our freedom to be shielded from unseen enemies and how we long for physical connection with people. Thanks to vaccinations, we are able to celebrate again, not via Zoom like we have been doing in the past year, but in the flesh. At a small graduation gathering our family held outdoors for our son, we had
an opportunity to see and hug our close family and friends for the first time in more than a year. There is something about congratulating a graduate with a handshake that is viscerally satisfying. And pleasure in being able to dress up for occasions. To rid oneself of frumpy sweatpants with glee, wear summer dresses and high heels, and don lipstick without a mask to smudge it. Our celebration is tempered by the thought of extended family and friends in India who continue to suffer through the second wave of the pandemic and wait in anticipation of vaccines as India, the largest exporter of vaccines is currently facing shortages with less than 5% of its population fully vaccinated. But there is a glimmer of hope as cases have dropped dramatically over the past two weeks, thanks to strict lockdowns in Mumbai and Delhi, two cities worst hit by the second wave. Efforts to expand vaccine manufacturing and vaccinate people will hopefully help. Back here in the United States, we will cautiously celebrate freedom from the pandemic as we also mark freedom from social injustice. We honor Pride Month and the rights of the LGBTQ community with rainbow flags and parades; we will commemorate Juneteenth or Freedom Day on June 19 to mark freedom from slavery. We will honor our own fathers and fathers of nations on Father’s Day June 20, and celebrate summer solstice on June 20 and 21. Finally, with June being Fertility Awareness Month, we celebrate the latest advances in technology that are helping couples to conceive and experience the joys of parenthood. Our June issue is jam-packed and we hope you enjoy reading the issue.
SEEMA KUMAR, FOUNDER JUNE 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 5
