Vijender Singh becomes World No. 2 in 75 Kg Category

Congratulations Vijender Singh !!

Vijender surely deserves a huge pat on his back for this. He has done this in a country where only cricket is worshiped and other sports are looked down upon. The Indian Boxing Association is a cash-strapped association unlike BCCI. They struggle to provide kits to boxers. International coaches is a distant dream. Not that we dont have good coaches here, but international experience sure helps. Let this achievement serve as an eye opener to the bureaucratic babus in the Govt. We need proper fund allocations for not only boxing but other sports disciplines in the country and steps taken to encourage the young to take up other disciplines rather than trying their luck out on cricket grounds and going into depression when they cannot make it. It is real sad to know that This Land of Arjun hasnt produced a decent archer - certainly not a Olympic gold medal winner.

Instead of concentrating on cricket and having other disciplines rot, we can concentrate on limited number of sport disciplines that we are confident of excelling in and then build world-class facilities for that, have coaches, sports pyschologists and physios, have premier leagues to promote the sport, have centralized sports medicine facilities and encourage the young to take them up by offering employment with corporates bigwigs and government with appropriate remuneration. The country is only as young and health as its populace. I just hope that this serves as a reminder to everyone. When we have Gods in Cricket, we certainly can have demi-Gods in other disciplines and maybe even Olympic Medal Gods.

Shahrukh Khan detained at US airport

Every website has been flashing the news about Shahrukh's detention at a US airport. The Indian Govt has even gone to the extent of asking for an explanation. Minister of I&B, Ambica Soni has expressed her anger by saying that we should also detain American tourists and actors for questioning at the airport (basically tit-for-tat). Coming from a Minister, that is not only amateurish but downright stupid. If we do that, it wont speak well of us, Indians. An eye for an eye would make the world blind, Minister. We should not stoop to the level of Americans.

What we should do is stick to procedures and protocols. We should seek explanation from the airport authorities if they have been a little overzealous in dispensing their supposed duty and whether there really was need for detaining anyone for so long a time when his credentials could have been easily checked and verified. I can understand we objecting to a statesman of Dr. Abdul Kalam's mettle being detained the airport and checked, but for an actor, well it should be just like others. Actors and swish society have been known to smuggle in drugs and all as proven by our own flocks who were arrested in Dubai. Yes, I do agree two hours is a long time and I am all for registering a protest if Mr. Khan was manhandled or treated in any improper way.

Before signing off, let me tell you what Shahrukh said when quizzed about his detention. "They were angry because My Name is Khan." Now the last part of the statement has an uncanny resemblance to the title of the movie that he is doing with Karan Johar. Knowing our Bolly boys, is this a new publicity stunt ? Well, if one can shave the head of ushers, the other sure can get himself manhandled by some white fat security guards for added publicity and the scenes could well be added to the film also. What say Karan.. What say Folks..

It takes a Chinese to teach us economy and love

When we Mumbaikars are going crazy hunting for N95 masks and paying a hefty amount for that in black market, this Chinese couple has shown us homemade way to deal with the shortage and at the same time inspire romance in our lives. Brrr... Hats off to them...

Relieve Stress Without Popping Pills

This aasana has been found to be very effective in relieving stress. Yogi Maharaj Sakshananda, a mystic from India, quotes in his book My Experiments with Yoga, " Saksham bhooti na kevalam, posterum chipkum mastikshaka peetum, stressum lessum kaamam increasum" The above Sanskrit verse basically means that Saksham Bhooti is known to be very effective in reducing stress and has been found to enhance one's sex life.  To know how, please contact Yogi Maharaj Sakshananda (ymsakshi@yogini.com)


One reader Kamini Devi who tried this method and found it to be very effective has this to say about this aasana:- " I am a mother of three and was having a very declining sex life. I was bored and feeling horrible. I was really on the edge and was suicidal when I chanced upon this method. I took a printout, pasted it on the wall and followed the instructions. On the 21st day since commencing, a section of the wall broke down and voila, I met my handsome neighbor. Since then, my stress has reduced and sex life is great. Thank you Saksham Bhooti."

Please note that this aasana should be done under professional supervision and this site nor the author would be responsible for any injuries, divorces or libel cases arising due to your practice of this aasana.

Wow !! What a Surprise Kiss That was

The sweetest kiss that I have ever seen :-)

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 ??

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:

*** 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...

Now Truly India is Shining......


*** Source Wikipedia