Elections in India

the last month in india has seen elections in process. I think the entire system is a bit of a joke. The structure of the indian state sees the entire tax burden placed on the middle classes but the rich hardly pay anything and the poor get handouts to vote in favour of cerntain political parties.

The country needs all persavive reform spanning every sector of the the government and the economy. The question is will those changes ever come?

Witnessing a Magical moment--- in Copenhagen,Denmark

I am travelling through Europe right and am at present in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Bitterly cold with icy winds lashing the city --- today i witnessed a magical moment.

It happened past midnight on the metro station at islands brygge (Iceland Brygge) near the Copenhagen University.

The platform was mostly empty as i waited for the train to take me to my destination. Two boys moved diffidently into the transparent elevator. They turned and started kissing each other in a subdued manner. Till one of them caught me looking at them through the transparent elevator and withdrew from the other guy. The elevator stood still.

I gave him a big smile and a thumbs-up sign --- and both of them, reassured radiated smiles back.

the elevator moved --- and they were gone , looking down at me.. my train came and i left...

i thought as i walked back to my place of residence in the icy,dark wind-swept night --- these are the moments which lace our life with meaning , where we connect transcending the many boundaries both real and imagined our world encases us in. Sometimes they dont matter anymore , and in one magical moment we realise our own humanity. That which enables us to connect to another --- and renew them and ourselves ---- and then move on our paths again --- towards our worlds.

Next week, i am back in my world in India -- just 8 flight hours from Europe but it might be as well in another era a world away.
-- Jalaj Vaivaswat

Losing your Job can mean new beginnings in Life

I lost my job a few days back -- got fired over the phone from 22,000 km away.

does life end?

No, there are always new twists and turns -- depends what we make of them.. isnt it?

What do you think ?

JV

Happy New Year.

its almost 2 am in Delhi and as the temperature dips on new years eve. here is wishing all of you a great year ahead :-)

Jalaj Vaivaswat

Supreme Court Ruling on Gay Rights in India

Frankly, the Indian Supreme court's ruling was not unexpected at all. Homosexuality confronts deep prejudice in India -- the sort which inspires silence. Gay people and their rights are not a priority in this country.

I didnt expect the Supreme Court to rule that "section 377" was ultra vires.

its sad to say that human rights in india are a bit of a joke -- sorry am frustrated with the way things in this country take forever and often reach an illogical conclusion.

More on this later , just a bit upset right now.

In the United States

I have been in the USA , working here for a while.

Last weekend when i was in New York --- one of my friends asked about why i wasnt writing and this impelled me to think . I should not be silent , I should not remain quiet .

My words are my voice and the keyboard my way to express my thoughts and being .


anyway..


Life in the United States is a complete contrast to life in India . Gay people have far more rights here , so its liberating to move around in a society where you dont get condemned by default -- very unlike back "Home".

But will be back in that "Home" soon . No expectation about anything changing there --- still sometimes you just miss the madness of everything in India.

Job Hunting.. Marriage Pressures ....

my family is exerting tremendous pressure on me to marry or "be with someone" and have kids

work situation is difficult ....

one thing at a time -- let me deal with the work challenges first.

sometimes i am sick of everything in india --- but then i realise its not so bad -- India is a very interesting place --- if you are clever and rich you can get away with anything -- if your family is supportive.

If it isnt --- then well, its very very difficult...