Thursday, July 9, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Bandra-Worli Sealink Pics
Bandra-Worli Sea link photos
A Google Earth view of the The sealink on the map of Mumbai
now famous Bandra Worli Sea link
Sealink from a distance Another view
This bridge sure comes with lot of strings attached. A view of the cables that are at least an adult's forearm thick.
More pics of the iconic sealink. I cant get over it. Truly an architectural marvel
When would this be open to me ??
A Google Earth view of the The sealink on the map of Mumbai
now famous Bandra Worli Sea link
Sealink from a distance Another view
This bridge sure comes with lot of strings attached. A view of the cables that are at least an adult's forearm thick.
More pics of the iconic sealink. I cant get over it. Truly an architectural marvel
When would this be open to me ??
India Shining - Gay and Happy
The week started on a good note. Two things happend this week that would define India in years to come and how the world looks at India.
Though there have been talks about India Shining ( one of the political parties using this for their campaign), India wasn't in the real sense. There was nothing that India had done to command a place among the rapidly developing countries. All the GDP growth, the growing billions in forex reserves etc were always there, but there was no structural evidence or the feel among the general population regarding India's growth. This week changed all that in two ways. Now India can be called progressively both infrastructurally and social mentality (Is that the correct word).
Though there have been metros and talks of the biggest skyscraper (still on papers), there has been nothing that the country could be proud of - where it showed the world what it was capable of. India has been acclaimed for its engineering prowress but nothing yet had come up for the world to sit up and take notice. This week changed all that. Infrastructurewise, the country got its first indegeniously designed and built sea link. It would be safe to assume that it is really an architechtural wonder, more beautiful that Golden Gate ( I didnt say that - one of my Americano friends did) and the first of its kind in Asia (okay, I am exaggerating)
I went to have a dekko with my buddies and it was breathtakingly beautiful. No words can describe the emotions. It was a heady feeling. As the sun was being gobbled up by the sea and the dusk was setting in, the tower of the sea link stood like a proud erect manhood declaring Mumbai's virility. It sure was a sight to behold and a silver lining in these times of recession. It has risen above from being a concrete and steel structure to instill a sense of pride among Mumbaikars. Though the common man will have to wait to ride the sea link, as decision is pending from BEST when they would (if they would start) a bus service, but still tour buses can be hired or better take a friend's car. Even if it is only an 8-minute drive, its breathtakingly beautiful and I have already added it to the 100 places I would revisit before I die.
Now India Shining on the social mentality level ( there I used that word again - go ahead prosecute me)
The Delhi HC in a landmark judgement amended Sec 377 of the Indian Penal Code. This has been a thorn in the butt (pun intended) of the gay community for long.
For the uninitiated, the Indian Penal Code (IPC), of which Section 377 forms a part, was drafted in 1860 by Lord Macaulay as a part of the colonial project of regulating and controlling the British- and Indian-origin subjects. It reads:
*** Source Wikipedia
Though there have been talks about India Shining ( one of the political parties using this for their campaign), India wasn't in the real sense. There was nothing that India had done to command a place among the rapidly developing countries. All the GDP growth, the growing billions in forex reserves etc were always there, but there was no structural evidence or the feel among the general population regarding India's growth. This week changed all that in two ways. Now India can be called progressively both infrastructurally and social mentality (Is that the correct word).
Though there have been metros and talks of the biggest skyscraper (still on papers), there has been nothing that the country could be proud of - where it showed the world what it was capable of. India has been acclaimed for its engineering prowress but nothing yet had come up for the world to sit up and take notice. This week changed all that. Infrastructurewise, the country got its first indegeniously designed and built sea link. It would be safe to assume that it is really an architechtural wonder, more beautiful that Golden Gate ( I didnt say that - one of my Americano friends did) and the first of its kind in Asia (okay, I am exaggerating)
I went to have a dekko with my buddies and it was breathtakingly beautiful. No words can describe the emotions. It was a heady feeling. As the sun was being gobbled up by the sea and the dusk was setting in, the tower of the sea link stood like a proud erect manhood declaring Mumbai's virility. It sure was a sight to behold and a silver lining in these times of recession. It has risen above from being a concrete and steel structure to instill a sense of pride among Mumbaikars. Though the common man will have to wait to ride the sea link, as decision is pending from BEST when they would (if they would start) a bus service, but still tour buses can be hired or better take a friend's car. Even if it is only an 8-minute drive, its breathtakingly beautiful and I have already added it to the 100 places I would revisit before I die.
Now India Shining on the social mentality level ( there I used that word again - go ahead prosecute me)
The Delhi HC in a landmark judgement amended Sec 377 of the Indian Penal Code. This has been a thorn in the butt (pun intended) of the gay community for long.
For the uninitiated, the Indian Penal Code (IPC), of which Section 377 forms a part, was drafted in 1860 by Lord Macaulay as a part of the colonial project of regulating and controlling the British- and Indian-origin subjects. It reads:
*** 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.[1][2]
The ambit of Section 377, which was devised to criminalize and prevent homosexual associations - sodomy in particular, extends to any sexual union involving penile insertion. Thus even consensual heterosexual acts such as fellatio and digital penetration may be a punishable offense under this law.
It basically meant that the gay community were banned from having sexual intercourse and they could be jailed if caught. This archaic law relegated the gay community to the closet and basically discouraged anyone to come out in the open. The law also contributed to development of a mentality in the Indian society which frowned upon gays and they were shunned sometimes even by their family. All that is set to change at least to an extent.
*** In a historic judgement, on 2 Jul 2009, Delhi High Court overturned the 150 year old section,[11] legalising consensual homosexual activities between adults.[12] The essence of the section goes against the fundamental right of human citizens, stated the high court while striking it down. In a 105-page judgement, a bench of Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice S Muralidhar said that if not amended, section 377 of the IPC would violate Article 21 of the Indian constitution, which states that every citizen has equal opportunity of life and is equal before law.
The two judge bench went on to hold that:
| “ | If there is one constitutional tenet that can be said to be underlying theme of the Indian Constitution, it is that of 'inclusiveness'. This Court believes that Indian Constitution reflects this value deeply ingrained in Indian society, nurtured over several generations. The inclusiveness that Indian society traditionally displayed, literally in every aspect of life, is manifest in recognising a role in society for everyone. Those perceived by the majority as “deviants' or 'different' are not on that score excluded or ostracised. Where society can display inclusiveness and understanding, such persons can be assured of a life of dignity and non-discrimination. This was the 'spirit behind the Resolution' of which Nehru spoke so passionately. In our view, Indian Constitutional law does not permit the statutory criminal law to be held captive by the popular misconceptions of who the LGBTs are. It cannot be forgotten that discrimination is antithesis of equality and that it is the recognition of equality which will foster the dignity of every individual.[13] | ” |
Any kind of discrimination is antithesis of right to equality, said the court, while allowing plea of gay rights activists for decriminalization of homosexuality.
The court stated that the judgement would hold until Parliament chose to amend the law. However, the judgement keeps intact the provisions of Section 377 insofar as it applies to non-consensual non-vaginal intercourse and intercourse with minors.[11]
This judgement is very important as it comments on the social fabric of an ancient country like ours and also puts to test our social tolerance. People should understand and accept that being gay is not wrong and gays are not perverts. They are just like us, only their sexual preference is different. This judgement will go a long way to protect gays from antisocial elements and put a wrench in the works of the growing gay underground. Hurray for India.. Hurray for Indians...
*** Source Wikipedia
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
