ration cards and human rights

Turns out this is not a new proposal and that Tamil Nadu under the previous government had already made provisions for Aravaanis to receive ration cards. Nevertheless, the news item did help bring concerns of transgendered people to public notice in a non-judgemental and non-patronizing way. And I liked the professionalism of the reporter, who readily obliged my request and ran my quotes by me before publishing the note.

The larger issue of transphobia and discrimination is not going to be addressed by such measures, I suspect. For anyone interested in learning more, I heartily recommend PUCL's 2003 report of human rights violations against the trans community in Bangalore, which may be downloaded from Professor Lynn Conway's site at the University of Michigan, or obtained from Sangama in Bangalore.

work, family, friends, introspection

The past few days have been busy and eventful in some ways.

There was travel to Bangalore two weeks ago, to hire and orient researchers who will be working with SAATHII in Karnataka, to document good practices of district-level networks of HIV-positive people. And then there was a two-day methodology workshop at our Hyderabad office last week.

These trips and the days in Chennai have been peppered with such pleasant moments as getting to meet my first and second cousins, aunts, and uncles - from the Jaya Paatti, Jana Chitthi and Gowri Chitthi clans - at the wedding of my cousin Shreyas, marvelling at how much my nephew Dhruva and niece Kirthana have grown up, and hanging out with buddies Dea and Ram, among others.

And then I've had the pleasure of hosting - on consecutive weeks - two friends from Bangalore, Chandra and Kiran, both of whom are amongst the most pleasant and considerate of guests one could possibly have.

Despite (or because of?) these, I suspect I'm entering another of my asocial and introspective phases...

Blogspot and Typepad blocked?

http://www.boingboing.net/2006/07/17/report_indian_gov_bl.html
Looks like blogspot isn't working for me either.

blogito ergo sum

Nothing profound to report from the Delhi airport, except that I feel quite wired, being able to log in to the airport wi-fi an' all. I'm sure it's been done before, but, as my blog title reads, I'm just catching up...

Oh, and here's a pic I lifted from Lars' collection. Depicted veena is in Portland, being kept company by this and other guitars. I miss my veena :(