hijras in our society

yippi!!!! exams over! don't ask me if I did good or bad. It's over and that's what metters. btw I still have the final exams to grade for the kids :( ya I was taliking about some ouestions that came to my mind last week.

Remember there was a news that gay marriages have been leagalised in Britain? BBC had a detailed account of leagalisation of gay marriages in different countries. The very next day there was a program on HBO which was about the status of gays in different coutries. When they were discussing India, they talked about Hijras. They interviewed a Hijra named Nandini. He (sorry she) got himself transformed into a Hijra when he was 15. He was from some place in south India. Looked like Hydrabad (some jalebi language 'n that hydrabadi hindi). Anyways the point I am coming to is about the status of Hijras in our society.

As Nandini correctly said in that program that there is no acceptence for Hijras in our society. He (sorry again; She) has a degree in computer science but says it is no use for her. It reminded me of something my mother told me once. The Hijra who danced when I was born had a master's degree (Keep in mind that she had this degree back in 1981 when MA was really a BIG THING). But the point is that it is no use from professional point of view for them having these degrees. Nandini said in her interview that the only two options for a Hijra are begging or "dhanda" and this comment struck me hard.

After that program I tried to think of Hijras spending a normal life and I could not visualise it. I tried to think of a Hijra student with all others in the class knowing of their sexual orientation or a Hijra shopkeeper or a Hijra teller in the bank. It just seemed impossible. What else can they do? Just begging or prostitution? When this thought came to me, I felt bad about all those times when I refused to give money to Hijras in trains (and believe me, it was pleny of times. actually all the times I travelled in train). Next time I travel in a train I'm going to give them some money. But the question is that will the Hijras ever be able to enjoy a normal life just the way we do? What do you think? ...

exam time!!

Exam time!! Next week is full of exams. I fear doing bad in Galactic Astronomy course. Electrodynamics and Quantum Field Theory should go fine. Two days back I saw one program which arose some questions for me. Will be talking about that after the exams. bbye till then

lots of snow last night!! practically my first experience with snow. went home from deptt on foot in snow ;) enjoyed myself a lot. but surprisingly it does not feel tha cold even with snow. only if there is a wind... got feedback for my TA duties too. did not do well on communications but other things were fair enough. decide for yourself. Communication: 3.36/5.0, Grading: 4.04/5.0, Subject: 4.04/5.0 and Rapport: 4.50/5.0 got some flattering comments too B-) have to go and talk to Dr Shafi in the afternoon about the advisor selection stuff...