December delights



Every year December comes with a baggage full of delights. It bids adieu to the passing year, and welcomes the arriving year wholeheartedly. It brings with it the much awaited winter (and relieves us from the perpetual heat), Christmas celebrations and New Year revelries. Reasons for which we love December (I love..) are numerous. In a brief…

Of the Wintry Connections
The nip in the air, especially in the evenings; the warmth of sweaters, shawls and soft fluffy blankets; the various types of delicious soups, pakodas, and numerous cups of coffee with family and friends, describe winter for me. And that also includes spoonfuls of Chawanprash, and honey every morning by my nagging mother. There’s a continuous good, blessed and happy feel, and everyone’s mood swings are at bay. Winter most certainly casts magic spells.


Of the Marriage Season
Attending marriage ceremonies of relatives in December is fun. It’s like a family get together. With all the siblings, cousins, all near and dear ones at one place, it’s bound to be a blast. For girls it’s all about numerous dress-up sessions, make-up and photo sessions with the bride. Girls pamper themselves with the winter special skin and hair products, and love to deck themselves up for the unending wedding and reception parties.

Of Holidays
December holidays or winter vacations speak of visits to grandpas’ and picnics with family and friends. A relief from the daily humdrum, holiday is to travel and to add an exciting element to life. Happy Holidays!!

Of Merry Christmas
Christmas, for me, is the synonym for tasty mouth watering cakes. The shops are filled with so much variety. Visiting the church, marveling at the decorations, and joining in the festivities and cheer, make the 25th of every December. It’s sad that greeting cards are no longer in fashion. In earlier days, we loved to exchange greeting cards. I have treasured them with care. Merry Christmas to everyone!!

Santa Claus wishes


Of Jingle Bells and Santa Claus
Yes, it also brings in long secret wish lists for Santa to fulfill. Wish the white bearded man in red really existed, and was not just a character in popular imagination. But we can play secret Santa to our friends. Can’t we? It would be interesting to receive gifts from an unknown person. I once put an inspirational letter in a friend’s bag, anonymously, in an attempt to save her from her depressing and self-pitying self. Um, no, it didn’t work well.


And Of Happy New Year

A New Year itself is a reason to rejoice. It is a time to remember all those feats accomplished, hurdles overcome, and memories made in the year past; while making new to-do lists and serious resolutions to abide by in the New Year. The New Year eve demands celebrations. Again I miss greeting cards. I miss buying beautiful cards and making some too. Small ones to exchange with friends and big ones to post to relatives. E-cards took its place some years ago, but now even they are out of fashion. Wishings and greetings are solely through Whatsapp messages, Twitter and Facebook status updates. Anyways, a very Happy New Year 2014 to all the readers!!

Santa Claus gifts
Gifts

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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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