Two faces

America 1970:- “I am proud of my GAY son,” proclaimed a mother marching with her son during a peaceful Gay Pride parade.

India 2008:- “Centre against legalising homosexuality,” reads the headline of one of countries leading newspapers.

My first target is ARTICLE 377. The centre has once again opposed a petition filed by gay right activists claiming that gay sex between two consenting adults amounts to crime under section 377. It is defined as unnatural. What is unnatural? Curbing fundamental rights of an individual in unnatural, his/her right to express is unnatural and most importantly curbing the right to live freely is unnatural. India never fails to sing praises of its democratic approach but aren’t we discriminating against a population of people who have been robbed off their freedom of being themselves? Besides nobody has been given the authority to decide what is natural and unnatural. My only problem with this is how can one be differentiated on the grounds of sex?

My second target is Karran (Don’t really care about your smartass spelling) Joharrrrr. Agreed he was looking for a window to vent out his angst and feelings but he should have been a little sensitive while doing so. God save us from his next venture Dostana (let’s plan a nationwide ban). Popular cinema has been mean and bitchy against homosexuals and in my opinion all these directors should be sued. It surprises me how could we even tolerate such nonsense on screen. The only sane portrayal of a gay character in a Hindi film was by Onir in My Brother Nikhil.

Gone are the days when homosexuals in our country had to live an alternate life, a claustrophobic life, a life that could never satisfy them. I see more and more people coming out of the closet and more importantly taking pride in their identity. It’s a difficult to be someone else on the inside and put up an act for the world. This existence of pretence and shame may even result in dangerous consequences. For instance the Kandivili boy who hanged himself from a ceiling fan and left behind a note saying he was ashamed of being gay.

In spite of two successful Gay Parades in Delhi and Mumbai, a very large section of the society is still unaware of this issue; it needs rigorous media coverage to initiate a nationwide debate. A few years’ back media strongly supported prevention of AIDS and the same amount of awareness needs to be generated about gay rights. Conservatives need to be gagged and a rational outlook towards this sensitive issue needs to be developed.

Cowardice at its best

Just finished watching 'We the People' and realized how opportunist the media has become. Probably they are even thanking their stars that the Delhi blasts occured on a weekend giving them more to talk about, debate about and run their frigging 24 hour channel. Surprisingly the show was called Delhi blasts: All talk no action, I find a paradox in this statement, if the news channel was so intent on action why couldnt they do a show on how action can be guaranteed rather than presenting a doctored show with only "talk" and no action. Why couldnt better governance, citizen safety be discussed for the benefit of all citizens.
Just a day after the blast, India TV seems to have claimed that Mumbai is the next target....the cycle will continue till some action is taken. Just having stringent anti terror laws in the country and debating it to the effect that nothing comes out of it is not a solution, to follow it and make sure that it minimises terrorist activites is important.

I strongly feel that SIMI or IM (Indian Mujahideen) whoever is responsible for these ghastly acts should be strictly dealt with, the government should be held accountable to the public and the opposition should stop making provoative speeches and help the government is possible and if thats beyond their understanding then they should just keep quiet.

Stuff I love!

Whats up with me?

Well a lot is up...project submissions got over and that called for a night out with my girls. It followed with some more fun here and there and finally when I sat down with my books to study I get a call from Mr. X!
Who is Mr. X?
I met Mr.X more than three years ago and since then we have been good friends. We had our share of silences but nothing changed and I guess nothing will ever change. We share a comfortable, "convenient" and a fun relationship as friends which goes beyond the norms of being just friends. Simply put, we like each other's company. We talk and talk and talk more which happens once in a while and probably thats the reason we enjoy it. Mr.X is one person I know I can count on all the time.

Moving on from Mr.X to my book shelf!
Yes I am in love with my new bookshelf, though I demanded a bigger one, flats in Bombay will never permit me that luxury, unless I marry someone from Altamount road. So as I was arranging my treasure trove I realised I need to fit in 50 other books somewhere.

I am seriously waiting for my birthday. I have big plans this time. I am going to turn 20 and as I will get ready to blow those 20 candles on my cake I have 20 new things to do.