In the company of women...

I bought this book on my way back to Kolkata from Jamshedpur. Having read a Train to Pakistan, by Khushwant Singh, I had set high expectations from him. Needless to say I was thoroughly disappointed. He touched a few aspects which could have made an impact if delved in depth.  First wast religion. Singh not only takes us through a few classes of religion- which is  a subject that Mohan (the prot)  is taking in his university. He touches upon Hinduism permitting one to rid one's sins by taking a dip in the holy Ganges. The arguments of        the Pakistani woman (I forgot her name), against Hinduism. About the absurdity of worshipping everything from     Lord to Lingam. Inface Lingam being the Lord.

The second interesting point, which was left unexplored in my opinion was about losing virginity among girls. Most women recounted how their male relatives had 'deflowered' them. It is a big challenge in our conservative society to give protection to women. One might be skeptic at the use of the word protection, but it is being realistic. It was not long when Delhi asked students from other states to dress appropriately. It is stupid to think that if one is clad from top to toe, one is safe. And will someone some day bring out a list of safest clothes to wear to avoid abuse. Getting back to the novel, I felt strange and sad that both the women - Molly and Sue, remained silent about the abuse. I was also reminded of the on going Aarooshi episode, where the little girl lost her life due to sexual relationship with the domestic help. She's been allegedly killed by her own parents. Why are not women safe in their on homes? And why are they attacked by their own relatives who are supposed to be care givers??

There was another nudging point. When the protagonist tells Sue, how women are generally initiated into sex by  a male relative, Sue counters that same is true with men. When young men are not able to retain the massive energy, they are initiated into sex by older women like maid servants. How true is it, I wonder. And is that an abuse too? By whom?? To whom?

And one parting shot why does Khushwant Singh perpetuate the myth-  the bigger the better?

Through the looking glass

My salutations to my imaginary friend. Hi!

If you were here, we would talk about books that I should be reading. Well, I do manage to read a little but it wouldn't make you happy. You are not easy to please, are you? Anyways, lets pretend you are here. And this place is a cafe. You know the best hangout place has to be a cafe. I should tell you I have graduated from instant coffees to gourmet coffee! I now prefer Coffee Bean and Tea Leaves to Cafe Coffee Day. Linus finds it funny when I roll my eyes up looking out to the right corner.I just did it and it reminded me of him. I wish we spend more time together, sipping coffee and analyzing people- specially myself. Talking about the past, a life I once had. I feel like I have grown apart from my former self, so much that it makes me think that me six years ago was altogether a different person. Younger, rebellious and without makeup:)

I used to write a lot more than I do now. Last night I was talking to Linus's Prof's wife. We concluded that like they showed in the movie Rockstar, one does need to be affected to be able to write. How much can we feel through borrowed experiences, Mrs Sarin had said. Should I tell you, I wore a bottle green saree which had flaring orange flowers printed on it.  Orange reminds me of Annie. Again, she seems to belong to a far away world. It is the age of connection , social media is at its acme, yet I am distanced by mere geographical boundaries. But our connection my friend is not based on either. I think I always had you with me, as a part of growing up. May be I gave you different names at different times. I began early with writing a diary, which would begin with Dear God. As I grew up things changed. I enjoyed writing more to someone who would respond than poring it all to Dear God!
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Sorry, friend for having not kept in touch for so long. But I am back now... And I have lot to talk about. Like growing younger with every year. Growing more beautiful. And yes trying to make sense of myself , the one who is me now and the one who was me before. I wonder if i am still the 21 year old who wanted to take a peek of her future-the cliched 10 years from now.  And what seems to be today is it what she is actually looking through the magical looking glass. Will  she pull her head back in disbelief and this world of mine will melt into nothing but her giggles. Oh, yes, she giggles a lot. Should I say giggled?Guffawed? I should if today is actually the present and I am looking through the magic looking glass going back in time. Linus cringes at the very thought of looking back. What is gone is gone. Is it?  I think it is a life lived.

So much for now. I send you my love.

Will write again,

your loving friend

Vid