Archive for the 'Political contemplations' Category

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Peace out!

Believed 2 years, 8 months ago in Political contemplations. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .

Today (21st September) is the International Day of Peace declared by the United Nations Organisation. It is a day to observe ceasefire, and spread the message of peace throughout the world.

International Day of Peace 2009

It is a pity that we need a day to remember peace.

Whilst celebrations and activities reign throughout schools, colleges, and other institutions and organisations, and while the United Nations meekly puts on a show of ceasefire, people are dying in Darfur, humans are being massacred in Western Sahara, fighting prevails in Iraq and Afghanistan, militants continue to break ceasefire agreements in Kashmir, Congo still bleeds, tens of thousands are still in displacement camps in Sri Lanka, and to say nothing of the countless other violations in Somalia, Pakistan, Burma, Iran, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Taiwan, Tibet, Cuba…

Mmmm?

Peace?

Is this day a product of that infallible desire omnipresent in the Western and quasi-Western world to angelic by making ourselves believe that we are doing ‘our bit for the world’?

Why do we have a day to observe peace, when it is supposed to be an inherent quality in the minds, hearts, and souls of every living being on Earth, which is practised through action every second, every moment, every unit of time…

How ironic that even on this specifically allotted day, we find it hard to practise this natively-inherent-evolutionarily-hidden-trait. A simple look at the Google News page shows you the first headline : “US General calls for more troops in Afghanistan”.

Google News - 21/09/2009

So much for peace day.

“It can be as simple as lighting a candle at noon, or just sitting in silent meditation.” says the About page of the Peace Day website. Why? Why should it be so simple? Why should YOU and I feel that we have contributed our bit to world peace if we light a candle at noon? In deed, its a waste of energy! That candle could mean light the night before an exam for a youth in Nepal, leading to an educational degree, employment, and livelihood for a family. What good is lighting a candle at noon? How does it contribute to world peace? Why should you and I get away feeling good and not guilty for the state our world is in today because we lit a candle?

A symbol, you might say? Crap, I reply. Look inside yourself, and you shall find that guilty you lurking behind the cloak of defensiveness.

Let me not come across as a cynic. I’m all for World Peace. But I am opining that this not the way to achieve it. In fact, I would go to the extent of saying that rather than contributing for World Peace, this day might send us a few steps back. Because we might end up feeling goody-goody-neat-shoes after lighting a candle, and not care or do anything more for World Peace for the rest of the year.

If anything, this day should be a day of silent reflection. Of talks, of meditation, of contemplation, of developmental projects, of smiles, of self-realisation, of genuinity, of love, of campaigning for peace – worldwide. Not just in a few schools and colleges. Not a celebration. And definitely not just a meek request for cease-fire by what is supposedly the largest and most powerful organisation in the world, but a powerful, strong, collaborative, multilateral, multicultural promise of peace.

Let us not hide behind the shadow of the candle, smothered in false warmth, putting our belief in the puny flames of the candle. Why do that when we are perfectly capable of becoming a bonfire of change?

We desperately need to go beyond one day. We need to break out of this fad of having a day to celebrate a value and then forgeting all about the cause. We need to say good bye to International Day of Peace, World Aids Day, World Diabetes Day, World Cancer Day, Valentines Day, Fathers Day, Mothers Day…

These need to be embedded in our selves, we need to find our own ways and methods of peace, of love. We need to dwell on them ourselves, and find our own answers, perhaps guided by gurus and the environment around. But our own answers. And make self resolves. And be peaceful.

Peace out*, my friend.

(* Peace out – To experience an altered state of consciousness / May you have peace or be at peace.)

Contemplations on slavery – part I

Believed 2 years, 9 months ago in My Life My Voice and Political contemplations. 2 Comments

But before that, let me take a little while out to spit disgracefully at yon men and women who tried their hand at hacking Witness Times, yet again, and succeeded, yet again. And after the spit I would like to remind you, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” (Paulo Coelho). Even if that is hacking a little collection of my thoughts and views. And even if it is the yearning to get it back.

Thank you, oh Love, for bringing WT back up.

* * *

Contemplations on slavery – part I

(Disclaimer: there never might be a part II, or part III, or et cetera)

The phenomenon of slavery is indeed an interesting one. It is captivating the way Master-slave relationships are established. It is of my observation that the phenomenon of slavery, which requires two power apexes, that of the Master and that of the slave, may start at the tipping of the fulcrum to any one end. That is, a Master-slave relationship does not require two parties, but it can start with just one party tipping against the fulcrum to form a power apex. Once either of the apexes have been formed, it just a matter of time when the newly formed apex results in the other apex being formed. Once both the apexes have been formed, and the relationship established, it is curious to examine the character of the relationship, and of the apexes in the relationship.

The slave, intriguingly, tends to be cutaneously happy occupying the particular space. (s)he also tends to be in the inertia, and increasingly try to continue in that space, until (s)he is made aware of the existence of such a phenomenon, and the characteristics of the concerned spaces. In this state, the slave not only contributes to the maintaining of the system, but also to the strengthening of it, by contributing hitherto unsaid clauses to the relationship. (s)he also gives confidence to, and thereby builds, the Master. Later, (s)he becomes aware of the existence of the phenomenon. Then (s)he has to realise the space that (s)he and the other apex occupy. Once this realisation sets in, a period of unease, confusion, and lack of clarity begins. During this period (s)he tries to break out from the space, but finds it increasingly difficult by each passing day.

The master tends to be happy being the Master. (S)he does not realise the existence of the phenomenon as easily as the slave, and once that happens, it is much more difficult, than the initial process, and than the slave, for the Master to realise the space occupied by her/him. Once that happens, it is my belief that the Master may be unconsciously uncomfortable, but consciously battles that discomfort to continue experiencing the material, sadistic, and fetish pleasures offered by Masterhood.

The slave tries to break out of the relationship, after the onset of realisation, and the Master tries all methods available to Masterkind to maintain the state of continuum. At certain points, the slave tries to be empowered, yet a pseudo-slave – a slave who addresses the Master’s wishes, but against her/his own will. It is my observation that this state is increasingly irritating and uncomfortable for the Master, who exists is put in a state of extreme fidgetiness.

Finally, the slave, once empowered enough, finds enough in her/himself to assert, and then the structure breaks apart. If the Master is also empowered, then the two apexes reduce to their initial states of potentials, and continue with their lives in sustainably developing ways. However, if the Master is not empowered, then (s)he continues her conquest of slaves, with another victim, treacherously beaten into shape using devious means and cunning ways. This deadly conquest, raping one heart/mind after the other, continues. However, remember, that only by being raped were the hearts/minds later empowered.

If it is only the Master who is empowered, and not the slave, then again exists an issue. After complete empowerment of the Master, and once (s)he reduces to the state of original potency, (s)he lets go of the slave. But the slave is not empowered. The slave feels incomplete, and starts her/his journey for a new Master.

It is also my belief that the empowerment of a slave will in very very less probability lead to the empowerment of a Master. However, the empowerment of a Master influences the empowerment of the slave in slightly more determinal magnitudes.

Here concludes part I of my contemplations on slavery, chronicled from personal experiences. Thank you for reading.

Taking pride

Believed 2 years, 10 months ago in Political contemplations. 2 Comments

It takes a lot to be proud of the person you are. And a lot more if you belong to a community which happens to be shunned aside, marginalised, stigmatised, and intimidated.

Last Sunday, on the 28th of June, 2009, along with one of my friends, I stood up in support of one such community. A community which had it in them to be proud of themselves, despite being horribly trodden. And I have to say, it was quite a day…

This day witnessed the Bengaluru Queer Pride March ’09, a protest involving love and celebration, voicing out against the oppression dealt to the communities of humans who are gay, lesbian, eunuchs, or transexual.

On June 28th, 1969, the New York Police raided a pub called Stonewall Inn, in Greenwich Village, New York, which was a known gay hangout. After this a  huge movement resulted in several queer uprisings. In 1970, on the same day, Gay Pride marches were held in New York and Los Angeles. Later, it spread around the globe, as a voice of protest of these marginalised communities…

It was beautiful.

***

My friend and I arrived at the venue where the march was supposed to start – National College Ground, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru. We were early. There were many media OB vans parked side by side. There were a few people. A few teenagers were sporting t-shirts which blared slogans. Two girls were painting faces, hands and hair for willing participants. Another girl was painting a multi-coloured heart on the back of a participant. A transexual named Akkai was giving out rainbow coloured bandanas, t-shirts, and flags.

mini-queer-pride

There were more photographers than participants. Clicking away to glory. Way too much media noise. Interesting how everyone wanted a chip off the news cake ever since ‘sexual minorities’ became a hot discussion topic.

Hypocritic me squirmed. I was there with a camera as well. And the reason I was there was my camera. But with a completely different intent. I was there to capture the colours and feel, not higher TRPs. But the intent and function was soon pretty lost, as my friend and I were so carried away by the atmosphere that we joined in the march. We got our faces painted like many others.

As I clicked pictures, more people began to join the gathering. People belonging to the gay, lesbian, and transexual communities joined in. So did the Sex Workers Union, and other straight people.

The colours started flaring. The t-shirts and posters started glaring. The drums started blaring. And the march started.

Colourfully dressed marchicipants started dancing to the resounating beats of the drum. It was weirdly metaphorical. It seemed to send a message, beat by beat. As you trod on us, beat after beat, we shall dance and celebrate ourselves, beat after beat!

mini-queer-pride-2

Cameras started clicking at a faster pace. Photographers found patches of high ground, from crooked gutters to parked buses, to capture what they thought would best say the story.

But the story couldn’t be told that easily, could it? Not of the targetted seemingly vengeful horrible treatment dealt out to ‘these’ people, because ‘they’ expressed a personal preference – of their sexual preference. They are treated with disgust, as if they are lesser humans. No, not humans. Homosexual? Oh my God, how could you be so ungodly?! Transexual? Those hijras who assault us for money?! And more…

(Why are they forced to assault you for money? Why are they forced into ‘undignified’ sex work? Why are they forced to run away from society?)

“A case is never booked. But the Police needlessly harass gay people and transgenders, basing their harasment on the IPC Section 377. The section is misused.” Says a lawyer from the Lawyers Collective, who took part in the march. Section 377 is a clause in the Indian Penal Code which criminalises ‘unnatural sexual behaviour’.

377. Unnatural offences: Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation: Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offense described in this section.

So we protested. Against stigmatisation of sexual minorities. Against Section 377.  We protested through celebration.

mini-queer-pride-3

“If Section 377 goes, the Police won’t have any base to harass them.” Said the lawyer. It has to go. Its partly gone.

It is for the second time that the Queer Pride March is taking place in Karnataka. This time, small celebrations were held in Hubli and Dharwad as well. Not to mention the marches in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and amazingly, Chennai.

“Its a chance for us to express. Its a chance for people to understand.” Says Savitha, a transgender, as well as a sex-worker. It is indeed a chance. Another change for all those who have not yet understood. Another chance, another call for equality, from communities of harmless humans.

The march started. Flags waved. A huge rainbow coloured snake banner was floated on top of the many who fought to hold ends of it. Akkai and a few others zoomed forward in an autorikshaw, speaking through a loudspeaker in her calm and melodious voice. “Dear friends…” The voice sang, “Let us dance to the drum, let us be heard….” Soap bubbles were floated. Marchicipants adorned rainbow coloured masks, bandanas, t-shirts, tall hats, painted faces and bodies, and carried posters. And forward, we marched.

Through the roads, making ourselves heard, making the cause heard. People stared. People smiled. People laughed. A van full of seemingly ‘pious’ people got shocked. Cows joined in the march. Marchicipants danced. Screamed. Sang. Loved.

mini-queer-pride-4

“1 2 3 4,/ Open up your closet doors!/ 5 6 7 8,/ Don’t assume your kids are straight!”

“I love you,/ you love me,/ homo-sexu-ality./ Everybody thinks we’re just good friends,/ but actu-ally we’re lesbians!”

“Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Isai,/ Hetro, Homo, bye bye!”

Many hurled these slogans at the rest of the world. Not pointing fingers. Not with an edge or sarcasm. But in joy, and with laughter. Celebrating the truths in these phrases.

Everyone was open. Nobody had anything to hide. Unbounded love flew from each and every one of us. Enveloping all of us, and the world around, in a liberated, beautiful, and comforting, amniotic sac. A place in the high realms which promised us sanity and comfort in the power of love, while the world around skepticised.

mini-queer-pride-5

As the transexuals danced in the ‘promiscuous’ ways that they had made their own through decades of oppression, and as the beats from the drums reached an intoxicating high, I fell in love. In love with the love that they emitted. In love with nature. And in love with the naturality they had.

They were so natural. They were one with nature. No artificiality. No added character or content. No put ons. Just pure simple natural nature.

The march culminated in front of the Corporation. The rainbow flames were put up around, and the drums heightened to a final frenzy. The dancers jostled to the intoxicating beats. The steps or the flow did not matter. All that mattered was to celebrate. To celebrate the nature that we were. And as one energy, the crowd moved in different ways. And then, it was all over.

The event was over. But not what it had begun for me, for the communities, for Bangalore, and for the world. The messages had been sent. Many, we believe, received it. As we marched, a few of us bloggers took small breaks to ask and educate people around about the march. Most of them, no – everyone we asked, said that homosexuality was natural, and not a sin. That hijras were humans too, and they had every right a non-hijra human had. Yes, the messages were received.

With pride, and yet without arrogance, not superiority, we had stood up.

And for me, I witnessed the power of love. And I got to know the cause. And I got to know these wonderful humans. For me, I shall never be frightened of them again. I shall never wince when they approach me on the roads, or in the train. Next time, I shall smile, and ask them their name, and give them something – not with irritation, not with pity, but in love.

***

>> Read Uduman’s entry on the same event.

>> See the pictures.

Taking pride (pictures)

Believed 2 years, 10 months ago in Pixtory and Political contemplations. 0 Comments

Here are the photos from the Bengaluru Queer Pride March 2009, held on June 28th, from National College grounds to Corporation circle.

Find them on flickr : http://www.flickr.com/photos/neogarfield/sets/72157620717968315/


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Why, Sri Lanka, Why? Why, UN, Why?

Believed 3 years ago in Political contemplations, Social Calls and Tragic relief. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

I am confused.

In my search to find the innate goodness, and purpose, and hidden direction, in people’s lives, I’ve been left horribly of-the-mark, when I read, when I sit on a chair, with my laptop in front of me, and with nothing more than a spot of thunder, and the heat, to bother me, and read, about things happening in Sri Lanka.

The Government is firing into declared ‘No-Fire’ zones. The Government is shelling its own people. Killing tens of thousands. I feel disgusted for typing that last sentence. Dismissing the number so casually, yup, around a few ten thousand…

I have not commented on the Sri Lanka issue so far. All this while, I was wondering, why add to the endless stream of noise already out there. But I can no longer remain silent. It had passed all measures of horribility a long time back.

I believe that Tamils, or anyone for that matter, should have equal rights and representation in Sri Lanka. At the same time, I wholeheartedly condemn the outfit called LTTE for their idiotic, stupid, and violent approach.

Et cetera, et cetera. But what on Earth is happening right now! The Government killing their own people? I’m kind of lost here… Why? You think killing is fun? Or is the artillery not working properly? Incorrect mathematics? Or do you think that there are LTTE terrorists hiding amongst the fleeing civilians? If yes, dear Government of Sri Lanka, why don’t you just fricking let them flee? Ever heard of forgiveness?

Among the countless other articles written, I chanced across a news release by Human Rights Watch, published on the 5th of May. It recounted a few stories by refugees. Here are a few quotes from that article -

“We were living in such fear. There was constant shelling. On April 5 or 6, our neighbors were injured in the shelling. A shell landed inside the bunker. Ten people were injured, and of them, five died. There was no anesthesia. The doctors had to cut off a girl’s hand without any anesthesia. My small daughter was crying and scared. I decided then that we had to leave. I would take a bucket to clean up the mess and bury it in the sand”
S Indra Kumar

“One day, I was waiting in queue for food and there was suddenly shelling. I ran away, but later heard that 40 people had died.”
“Many people have died. Whenever they heard there were bodies, they would collect for burial. Two months ago, my father went missing. I went to the hospital to look for my father. I found his body. The entire back of his head was missing. Only his face was there. We asked the doctor to do something to his head so we could bury him, but they said we should just be grateful that we had a body to bury.”

Sivadasa Jagdeshwaran

“We were drinking salt water. One by one, the people started dying. First it was the children. My brother’s little daughter died.”
S Indra Meenan

Jagdeshwaran, the mason, told Human Rights Watch about the journey by boat that included his wife and two children and his wife’s relatives: “My son died on April 24, four days after getting on the boat. He was 4 years old. We had no water, no food on the boat. Then her father died. Her two brothers jumped into the sea. My wife was in shock. She was weak and not even able to move. That morning, April 29, she asked for some water. We gave her seawater. She vomited and then she passed away.”

Their 8-month-old son, having been fed on breast milk until his mother’s death, survived.

 

“These accounts must be multiplied tens of thousands of times to capture the full horror of those who remain trapped by the Tamil Tigers and shelled by government forces.”
Meenakshi Ganguly, senior Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch

Here is a video, capturing the essence of the article.

 

Why Sri Lanka, why? Why don’t you, atleast now, forgive the Tamil Elem. Agreed, the horrific things they did. But be different from them, and forgive them. They are fleeing now anyway, why does it matter? Why do you have to endanger your own people?

And you rascals in pinstripes who call yourselves the leaders and representatives at United Nations, and the United Nations Human Rights Council, and the United Nations Security Council, and the hundred zillion other Councils and Funds and Programmes that start with the acronym UN, art thou blind? Do you possess atleast an iota of the feeling and passion possessed by your grassroot activists, workers, and peacemakers? If yes, why UN, why?

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