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Showing posts from May, 2013

After all What's in a Name????

Shakespeare had said “what’s in a name?” A name is a person’s identity- a measure of who he is?! How can a name describe one’s personality or nature, or so to say –foretell his future? Name cannot be that powerful. Nor can it be that vague…being called by one’s name, being referred to by one’s own name is a mark of being respected, regarded.. One’s name is one’s pride. But does it also bring good luck? Film stars and other celebrities have been seen to have changed their names to fair well in their lives. Some examples are Mahima Choudhry, Tia Bajpai, etc. who knows- may be it’s true… Nowadays names such as “violet”, “green”,”lime” and all other colour names are a hit. Name of months are also a hit-“may”,”april” “june”, “july”..how cool!!- so they are remarked.. And my sister would search the net for new catchy names for her characters in a new story, like parents searching a good name for their newborn. And mind you, she wouldnt take your indian name's suggestions; only for

The spell

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... Here he comes Formally dressed A violin in the hand And with a smile on the face. Seats himself, as he does; Amidst the loud applauses— People cheer him up He hears smiles but replies not. As the show begins The violin is played Spirits are lifted, solaced And silence abides the place. Tunes, played one by one A note comes after the other Three hours pass thus But the enchanted lot knows it not. Hypnotized, as if they were Lost in a deep trance, Listened to the soulful music Peacefully; by the time that passed. He stopped at the end, Woke up from his seat Bowed his head But no claps heard. The unknown magic Had killed them all.                                             --Ruchi Mishra                                        

Queeristan by Parmesh Sahani

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  Queeristan (Amazon Link) Thanks to Audible Free Trial I listened to this amazing non-fiction on LGBTQ inclusion in Indian workplaces. Author Parmesh Sahani identifies as gay Indian, working closely with Godrej higher management and employees for years to create an inclusive workplace, both legally and in spirit. This book is a result of those years of experience, research, collaboration with individuals from difference spectrum of the society and organizations who has successfully transitioned into a queer friendly one.   Indian history is inclusive. From the Khajuraho temple architectures, to Konark to the Rig Veda, there is existing proofs even 2000 years ago of Indian inclusiveness of queer. It’s the draconian British law that criminalised it, which was scraped in 2009, came into effect once again following a sad judgement in 2013 and eventually was scraped off for good in 2018. I am in awe of the lawyers who fought this legal battle- colleagues and partners – Arundhati Katju

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