Do you see the hypocrisy?

Why is sex wrong but having children right?
Why is smoking wrong, but buring garbage right?
Why is mini skirts wrong, but half dhotis right?
Why is addiction wrong, but addiction to the "right things" right?
Why is abusing wrong, but beating up children right?
Why is living together wrong, but marrying and sleeping with an unknown person right?
Why is unnecessary spending wrong but a lavish ritualistic wedding right?
Why is killing wrong but killing other organisms right?
Why is not listening to your parents wrong, but being independant right?

Voting for no one

If the only food items available on the menu card of a restaurant you visited don’t suit your taste, will you still order or will you leave the restaurant? The latter I hope. Though an extremely far-fetched example, electing our “leaders” should be something like that too. There should be an easily available option for those who believe that neither of the election candidates should be given a chance to power. There is an option 49(0), with which you will be counted as a citizen who has voted, but has voted for no one. That way, you are still the responsible member of a democracy who has cast his/her vote and also have satisfied your conscience by not voting for the bad among the worse.

While most citizens are still unaware of such a system, those who are, are happily denied in polling booths. I remember the first time I voted and I was not happy with the candidates. It was a different thing that my father stared at me intently right outside the secret ballot room hoping with optimism that I am voting for the party of his choice. I did vote according to his choice as does millions of others who for some social weirdness never grow up to realise things around them till their parents die. In India, you grow up only when every one elder to you are resting in heaven or hell.

The second time I went to vote was after the Nandigram disaster happened. I was confused as to whom to vote for. I didn’t trust the ruling left-front neither could I gain the courage to allow a lunatic like Mamata Banerjee to decide policies of my state. I was aware of 49(0) by then. I decided to opt for it. There was a huge discussion at home (more like a monologue where a shell-shocked father shouted at his “immature” daughter and laughing off anything as 49(0)) and my parents, if given a choice would have entered that booth to press my finger on the party symbol of their choice.

At the polling booth, when I expressed my desire for a 49(0), I was not allowed. I was told to quietly enter and vote from the choices. I refused. But then considering by “attendance” already taken I had to vote. I tried to reason with them and blabbered stuff about constitutional rights, which again according to them came from an immature brain. Frustrated, I voted for an independent cycle rickshaw driver, who seemed to have more good will than any of the national parties.

From my experience, I would like people to understand that “no show” does not count as a vote for no one. It is just not counted. But if opted for a 49(0) and that is what the majority opts for, political parties are required to change their candidates and re-election happens. We really don’t need to give a chance to people we don’t think are capable.

It’s in our hands who we vote for, including “no one”.

Pubs and sex? What's the connection?

I really don't see a connection between pub hopping, drinking, sexual awareness and sexual intercourse. I'm commenting on the pink condom campaign against that of pink chaddis. I have hopped pubs, visited night clubs, danced in discos, tried drugs, chain smoked and even had friends from all possible faiths--all that when I was in high school and college. I never had sex in mind, ever. Neither did my friends. Yes, I was sexually aware and the consequences that it will lead to. I knew of condoms, of pills and the various medical methods that might come to aid when pregnant. And I must assure you, if willing, I had enough opportunities to indulge in passion. But somehow I knew there was time for it and that I will commit to the one I will love, not a regular boyfriend, and that there will be condoms involved.

The people sending pink condoms in reply to pink chaddis definitely are aware why condoms are used and I am sure they refrain from using it to avoid reducing sexual pleasure (citing religious reasons in the process as well, am sure). Well, sex is the most taboo-ed word in India, where I suppose the 1.2 billion population was not born out of virgin mothers. Families have 5-6 children in India, and sex is taboo? Well extremely hard to believe, but it's sadly India.

There is one more taboo in our country. That of night life. Let me tell you something, if there is no restriction and prejudice against night life, and it is treated normally as any other period in a day, people will be free to venture out and with enough people out on the streets, I am sure the mentally retarded sex maniacs and sexual assaulters can stay at bay. To cite an example, my editor and his wife just returned from a week long trip to Thailand and they were telling us how at midnight, they ventured into the marketing places to shop. They got a taxi to return to their hotel just like any other normal time of the day. They also informed us how there is no street sexual harrasment.

I really wish (utopic thoughts again) the politicians can look beyond religion and caste. Our country faces lot more problems than just religion. We are a secular and democratic country, governed by law, not moral polices who will decide if what we are doing is right or wrong! If somebody takes the wrong step, let them face it in life. Either they'll learn or face the consequences.

Mutalik's social mayhem

Mutalik's plans to get couples married off on February 14 will be boon to quite a few couples. Think about those whose parents are not allowing them to get married or those who secretly wished to have a marriage on valentine's day. But I wonder, does all marriages happen with mangalsutra and flower garlands? The Ram Sene should consider carrying christian marriage gowns and diamond wedding rings, muslim marriage paraphernalia and that of all religions for that matter. Then again, Bangalore being a metropolitan now and Indian rituals differing from place to place, there should be a lot more preperations Ram Sene needs to do. For one, book temples, gurdwaras, churches, mosques and all religious places, since religion is all that they see everywhere.

Renuka is correct when she says that the main problem with Mutalik is he is not married. Plain and simply, he is jealous that there are people around him who has found love and have the courage to celebrate it every living moment of their lives.

Quoting Munnabhai, "Get well soon."

I am sorry

I seem to have blended into a crowd of people who are living their lives with regret deep in their hearts of never doing what they dreamt to. In a decade, I see myself sending my children to school and going back into the kitchen to cook for my family. With free time I will look back with regret to those fiery days when I worked my ass off for a career that never took off because I was trying to satisfy a generation that thinks we are ruined anyways.

I regret to have ever given my career a second thought. I apologise to myself. I cant change it anymore. I am sorry.