Same-sex Marriage?

The Supreme Court today deferred its hearing on the issue of decriminalisation of gay sex among consenting adults in private and listed the case for a final hearing in February 2012. A bench headed by Justice GS Singhvi adjourned the hearing on the matter after the lawyers involved in the case pleaded that they want to argue the case extensively and it would take time. The apex court was hearing petitions filed by anti-gay rights activists and also by political, social and religious organisations which have opposed the Delhi High Court verdict decriminalising homosexual behaviour.

Source: www.dna.com, November 8, 2011

A gay couple -- from India and Britain -- has tied the knot at a ceremony held at a Hindu temple in as Nepal. Social worker Sanjay Shah, 42, from UK tied nuptial knot at a temple in Teku with S Khan, 30, (name changed) from Gujarat on Tuesday under the aegis of Blue Diamond Society (BDS), an organisation dedicated for the cause of gay and lesbian in Nepal.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk,   June 20, 2011

Durban-based sales advisor Joe Singh and his partner Wesley Nolan solemnised their relationship at a ceremony where a Hindu priest officiated. In the Singh living room, Wesley tied a necklace with a Ganesha pendant around Joe’s neck. The couple, chose the Ganesha instead of garlands because both of them are “staunch Hindus’’ and wanted the Elephant God to “ward off evil and remove obstacles from their path’’.

Source: Times News Network, May 10, 2009

The first historical mention of the performance of same-sex marriages occurred during the early Roman Empire. Emperor Nero is reported to have engaged in a marriage ceremony with one of his male slaves. 

Since 2001, ten countries have begun allowing same-sex couples to marry nationwide: Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, and Sweden. Same-sex marriages are also performed and recognized in Mexico City and parts of the United States. 

Homosexual relations were legally still a crime in India under an old British era statute dating from 1860 called Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalises 'carnal intercourse against the order of nature.' Eventually, in a historic judgement delivered on 2 Jul 2009, Delhi High Court overturned the 150 year old section, legalising consensual homosexual activities between adults. The judgement stipulates  that every citizen has equal opportunity of life and is equal before law. However, same-sex marriages, as of now, do not have a legal status in India

The institution of civil marriage confers a social status and important legal benefits, rights, and privileges.

Opponents of same-sex marriage use the term “marriage” to mean the social union between one man and one woman. They argue that the basic unit of society is the family, and the primary objective of a marriage is to rear children. They argue that a child has a right to be raised by a father and a mother, in order to strengthen the social fabric.

Proponents of same-sex marriage argue that marriage is a legal status, which grants a couple all its attendant benefits, and must have nothing to do with the sexuality of the partners. They argue the case for same-sex marriages on the basis of human rights- the right to family life.

There are many people in our society who want to walk a different path. Then, offcourse, there is a problem of both transsexuals and inter-sexed individuals, who may not necessarily be categorized into “male” or “female”. Each person has a right to happiness. The big question is not, and most of you will agree, the freedom to be happy. The big questions is, is society ready to sanction this happiness legally?

© Sujata Khanna. All rights reserved.

Relationship Building

“Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you.” Richard Bach.

Good times and bad times are cumulation of our decisions and actions. Since no one is perfect, we do tend to take certain decisions that may result in bad patches in our lives. Relationships that we build along the journey of life, our family, friends and loved ones make all the difference during these times. The most essential life skill, hence, is the ability to cultivate support systems in the anticipation of those rough spots. If we can understand this, we can be prepared for life's inadvertent setbacks.Family and friends are frequently primary sources of emotional support. Colleagues and mentors are often sources of career support. Social groups and special interest groups form a support system for stress busting. Relationship networks give us a sense of belonging. We tend to be healthier, happier and more resilent.

Relationship building is a simple function of give and take. Reach out and share yourself with others. Make the extra effort to give help when needed. Appreciate the little things that people do. And, more than anything else, take interest in people’s lives.

The cardinal rule of retaining relationships is staying in touch. Be pro-active in your communication. A simple ‘hello’, once in while, whether by email or SMS can go a long way in forging the relationship. You remind your friend that he/she is in your thoughts. Also, never fail to return calls or messages.

Today’s world is competetive and cut-throat. Sure, we must be focussed on our dreams and goals. But, care must be taken that this does not distance us from those around us. When we reach out for support, we must not find ourselves adrift mid-ocean in the sea of adversity, with no tow-boat in sight.

Support systems are not built in a day. And we cannot build them at once, when we need them the most. They are to be built brick by brick, day by day, so that when we need them, the pillars are in place.

© Sujata Khanna. All rights reserved.

Scamgate CWG

The CVC will give some more fresh cases to CBI to probe alleged criminal conspiracy and graft by certain government employees in carrying out Commonwealth Games-related works. Sources in the anti-corruption watchdog said large-scale financial and administrative irregularities have been found in about seven cases carried out by certain government agencies here.

“We have found irregularities in inviting tender for works and giving undue favours to the selected vendors. Besides, there has been documentary evidence showing involvement of employees and owners of private firms who carried out the works,” a senior CVC official said. The matter was discussed in a review meeting of the Commission with CBI officials last week. “CBI has taken all relevant documents and Commission's findings on the matter. They will register preliminary enquiries after due investigation,” he said.

Source: articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com, October 16, 2011

The Commonwealth games (CWG) scam involved large scale misappropriation of money during the preparatory phase and conduct of the 2010 Commonwealth games held in New Delhi. Apart from this, the CWG has been mired with extensive delays in preparation, leading to unplanned expenses that caused humungous losses.

This was obviously to be expected once Suresh Kalmadi, Congress party representative to the 15th Lok Sabha from the Pune constituency, was appointed as the Chairman of the CWG Organizing Committee. Before the CWG, Suresh Kalmadi’s reputation was already under cloud for underhand dealings when bringing in the Formula One Grand Prix to India in 2007. He also has a string of other previous accusations like charges of land grab, siphoning off public funds, becoming the chief of Indian Olympics Committee (IOC) using shady means and using the same to stay in that position ever since.

The total value of the CWG scam is estimated to be Rs.70,000 crore. This, in a country where 400 million lives below the official poverty line! Or, simply put, in sub-human conditions! Like any other scam, the CWG scam involved politicians, bureaucrats and corporates acting in collusion. While they put the entire burden on the middle class and the common man, these looters stripped the country in every possible way!

Presently the scam is being probed by the CBI.

TS Darbari, Joint Director General of the Organising committee and Sanjay Mahindroo, Deputy Director General of the Organising committee were arrested by the CBI on 23 Nov 2010. Suresh Kalmadi, the Chairman of the Organising Committee was arrested on 25 Apr 2011 and the next day was sent to eight days police custody.

There have been no convictions till date.

© Sujata Khanna. All rights reserved.