AIDS, etc

To commemorate World AIDS Day, the Obelisk of Buenos Aires was covered with a giant condom. Unique. Argentinians or "Gauchos" ("Ranchers") as they are known in South America have a good sense of style. They are brash and like to do things differently. I kid you not, you will not see anything like this in any of the other South American countries for it will cause great uproar in the masses. Most of South America is devout Catholic. But in Buenos Aires, people will look at it, smile, shrug and carry on their frantic conversations, the style of which is an intoxicating mix of animated Italian gesticulating and sing-song highs and lows in speech with the fanatic devotion for football and Maradona, tango and salsa and last but not the leasts shapely breasts and round asses. All said and done, I'm sure this Obelisk was the cynosure of all eyes.

Apart from the usual song and dance HIV/AIDS specials (yes, MTV India) and heart wrenching TV stories on the myriad TV channels, India rang in World AIDS Day with the Government declaring that homosexuality was unacceptable and public morality is supreme. To read this shocking and absurd story go here. The Government took this stance keeping in mind "public opinion". That the general population is homophobic is known but that the Government, which day in and day out spews garbage about achieving 10% growth and what not is also willing to take that stance instead of a progressive and accepting posture is very disturbing. Most big cities in India have a vibrant gay culture but even a nominal level of acceptance in missing, especially in North India, which is intellectually and socially castrated. So, the gay dude you see on TV will the effeminate fashion designer or gesticulating weirdo in a TV series. Those are the stereotypes which have been perpetuated by the media and also by the frustrating homogeneity of society.

Let's admit it, the vast majority of us are racist homophobes suffering from tunnel vision, our professions of choice and esteem are limited to medicine and engineering so we can have a big house with a white picket fence with two or three gas guzzling SUVs parked in the driveway. Our minds cannot open beyond that, for we shall not allow them to. We will not and shall not know the fate that befalls the world, for it leaves us unscathed. And we are happy with that.

We Indians, we are repressed people. By our own religions and social norms and customs. Sold our souls to them. Go on, feed the beast.