Happy Ganesh Puja

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One day, in future, I want to make my own Ganeshji's idol. I want to mould the wet clay with my own hands, shape 'Lambodar's belly, and the trunk; and then paint Him too, myself- with colors and paintbrush and all; and dance to heart's fill to 'ganapati bappa moria' and join in the ecstasy. I think then I would feel the real devotion, and the festive fervor that one ought to feel on this day...

And what i really wish is to go to Maharashtra and enjoy Ganesh Chaturthi there, in its true feel, colors, joy and merriment. In Bhubaneswar, we just visit the puja mandaps and pandals in the evening, and have our fill of a variety of laddus. I want to celebrate this day, some year, in its real sense, with more energy and excitement. 

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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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