Finally a new phone!!!

For me cell phones have been plain apparatus to send and receive SMSs and make and receive calls. I have never been very fond of fancy, expensive phones. Though I like to see them in other people’s hands, it has never really been on my mind to own one. I’m not among those who can’t live without their phones. Many a times I don’t know which corner of the house my phone lies in. For the past couple of months I was using a cell phone that had a pregnant battery and was held together by colourful rubber bands. Every time I put it to my ear to answer or make a call, one thing ran across my mind: what if this battery suddenly blasts blowing away a part of my head and one ear? Dreadful!

Luckily, before a catastrophe of that sort could occur, I cried and cried and finally bought myself a new phone. I’m still trying to figure out the features apart from what I use my phone most for: keeping in touch. I’m taking classes from a cousin who has the same piece that’s the Nokia 3110c, about Bluetooth functions, music player etc etc. I hope I learn to operate the model soon and make use of all the features the new baby offers.

Why the double-standards?

The whole hash about decriminalising homosexuality and reconsideration of Section 377 of the Indian Penal code has got all and sundry suddenly coming out in support of “them” or totally against the Court order. We’ve had endless discussions over the lunch table, coffee shops and all the places we meet our friends or acquaintances about how “they” are also human and how Indians should open up to the supposed western concept of being gay or lesbian.

But how many of us are really, I mean really are for the right of the LGBT (Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community?
I don’t want to go far. Giving my own example, I have been just going with the flow of what discussions we’ve been having about homosexuality coming naturally to people just like heterosexuality. Even agreeing most times and “feeling” for “them”.
But I had to question my own outlook when I was thrown in a situation where all my so-called open-minded opinions were actually put to test (in a small way though)

Last night it had been pouring in Bombay city. Having finished very late from work, I reached Matunga station at 11.30pm. Just got off the train and a eunuch approached me from behind and asked for shelter in my umbrella. First thing that crossed my mind was what people would think if they saw me with a eunuch at this hour. I wanted to walk away behaving indifferent to what the eunuch was telling me. I hate saying no to help people in need, and that instinct won over my fear to give into “societal pressures”. I did give the eunuch “lift” till we reached the shelter of the bridge. The eunuch had a girl with him/her who was also not carrying an umbrella. He/she requested me to help the girl, to which the girl refused politely.
The girl called out to the eunuch and both ran up to the bridge and then on to the road getting drenched.

Where they disappeared after that, I don’t know. All I could think was how could I care a dime for people in who I did not even know who were on the train and feel sick about being spotted with a harmless eunuch in need of help? How could I be so judgmental all of a sudden after having come out in support of the judgment that decriminalised gay sex?

It just throws more and more questions every passing hour about how ready would I be to accept if a family member had to come out and say he/she was gay/lesbian? Would all the “open-minded” preaching be put to practice? Or would I make a ruckus like how some people are making out homosexuality to be a mental disorder? Why the double standards? I ask.