Bill Gates’ Recommendations | Nature’s Recovery | Drones To The Rescue

Good Vibes Of The Week: A Comedy Wildlife Photography Award Preview

Hello and welcome to another edition of The Upside, the newsletter born out of the desire to do something to add a touch of positivity to the communities within our reach. 

Fitting that brief this week is a story from India, where paint manufacturer Asian Paints surprised its 6,500-plus employees with a salary raise for fiscal year 2021, as well as access to a helpline for any concerns they have regarding the pandemic.

Granted, the percentage raise wasn’t disclosed—but the gesture, meant to boost morale among the workforce, will surely go a long way in strengthening employee relationships. In that spirit of boosting morale, here’s a selection of the week’s other positive stories.

In the Upturn, water quality and marine life resurfaces across the world, and The Blacklist show creators’ show of creative strength in the Season 7’s finale.

In Up-And-Coming, drones come to the rescue of the elderly living in remote areas, and a U.K. gaming charity promotes mental health in the industry.

In Uplifting, find Bill Gates-recommended summer readings and funny animal pictures.

Finally, in the Wrap-up, numbers that made a difference this week are 59.5, 1,800, and 2,400.

Do you know anyone who’d enjoy The Upside? Send them this link. What kind of stories would you like to read more of? Get in touch with your thoughts and feedback sofia.persio@forbes.com.

The Upturn

The Up-And-Coming

The Uplifting

The Wrap-up

59.5 - Approval rating for New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the highest in a century—or since records began. Ardern’s increased popularity follows from her success in containing the spread of coronavirus in the country—which registered 1,500 contagions and 21 deaths.

1,800 - Units of KOMPs, a device that looks like an old TV designed for elders who don't own smartphones or tablets, sold by Norwegian startup No Isolation in March and April—nearly three times the number of units sold in total last year.

2,400 - Number of students with disabilities enrolled at Rowan University during the last academic year. One of them, 24-year-old AnnaRose Rubright, made history this month, when she became the first person with down syndrome to receive a diploma from the institution.

"The key to success, the key to happiness is opening your mind and your heart to love, spending your time doing things you love with people you love."

JOHN LEGEND

MUSICIAN