Anand Jon: Victim or Rapist

Reacting to the 59-year sentence awarded( in the light of all the good work done by Jon in a foreign land) to Indian American fashion designer Anand Jon by a US court for sexually assaulting aspiring models, his sister and their family lawyer on Tuesday said the fashion designer has been "victimised" and valuable facts have been overlooked in the entire case proceedings. The designer''s mother Shashi Jon( who fainted on hearing the verdict) said, "He is not capable of doing anything like this. Well it's the mother's version who will always ignore her son's faults but still how justified it is to sentence 59years in jail with no bail and parole option available especially when he has no past criminal record( point to be noticed!).

Superior Court Judge David Wesley announced the judgement following a day-long argument by Anand, 35 himself seeking a fresh trial. However, in his ruling, Wesley rejected Anand's plea on grounds on no new developments in the case.

Wesley sentenced the designer to the maximum sentence saying he showed no remorse for his actions and posed a threat to other young women. Jon was convicted last year in November on 16 counts including forcible rape.

The Indian born designer has been previously featured on the television show "America's Next Top Model" and has worked with celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Janet Jackson and Mary J Blige.

Unsatisfied by his lawyers take on his case, representing as his own counsel, Anand argued that he had not received a fair trial because a juror inappropriately contacted his sister, Sanajana jon during trial, prosecutors withheld evidence and his attorneys, whom he fired in July, were ineffective in presenting his case. “You have not convinced me that there’s a conspiracy, all right?” [Judge] Wesley said when Alexander continued arguing after his motion had been denied.

Appearing as a witness, the designer's mother Shashi Abraham told the court how Dymally had made casual contact with her daughter during the trial at one point reassuring her that Jon was innocent and would soon be set free.

"Under Young's cross-examination, Abraham said she did not alert authorities early on about the contact because she was afraid. Steven Mikulan who was present inside the court proceedings wrote Anand's speeches, were delivered in a loud and clear voice except at one point when he broke in to tears.

59 years in prison is just like giving someone death sentence, may be in this case death sentence would be better atleast he will not have to die everyday or his old mother will not have to see(not even see) her young son die. A young man with so many dreams in his eyes, a promising career to look forward, its difficult to believe will do something like this. But i will not argue that he may not have done nothing like this-he may have. No offence- but are we not aware that many aspiring models willingly sleep with designers to give a boost to their careers or we can say its their shortcut to name, fame and money?. In some cases it may not be true but in most of the case it is a fact that once the models don't get their desired leap they retort by saying "i have been raped". May be Anand is guilty, but as he says his lawyers did not represent him well( Considering he being a foreigner), and if he feels that then he deserves another chance( It is a matter of a three lives and the reputation of an entire nation) to prove that he is not guilty. Even after that he is still found guilty then at least he will be in peace with so many others.

I demand a retrial for Anand( not that he is an Indian as me ) but on humanitarian grounds. We are with you Anand, We are with you Sanjana!!!

Summer in my veins

In a landmark decison on 2ndJuly 2009 High Court declared "It's not a CRIME to be a gay". The Delhi High Court has ruled that sex between two consenting adults is not an criminal act, going against the 150-year-old British law which described a sexual relationship between same gender as an " offence".

India, where sex is something which is not to be talked openly leave apart the topic of homosexuality. "There aren't any," is the typical Indian response to homosexuality in India. Even if they face the question of homosexuality in their homes, neighbourhood the response

remains the same.

A few years ago if boy would have "come out" to his parents- to the parent it was a shock, the would have taken him to a doctor as if he was ill and emotionally blackmailed him into getting married( one such famous case being our very own Prince Manvendra Singh Raghubir Singh of Rajpipla)- which would have ruined three lives but atleast it saved their "reputation" in society, friends, neighbours and in some cases even the employers would have boycotted him and would have looked at him as if he was a joke. Why don't we see it this way that if a person is a good humanbeing, is good in his work, is a good citizen then why should be it my concern what he does in his bedroom. And for a matter of fact why should be it a matter of concern to anyone?. When we don't bother about those men who beat their wives mercilessly. But it is fine in our male dominated Indian society to beat a feeble being then to be sensitive, kind and calm. But thanks to this law and all those who worked hard towards it, now the Gay couple can walk with respect without being ridiculed or made fun off..though 'legally'.

Many of our famous fashion designers like Suneet Verma, Rohit Bal, Wendell Rodericks have openly accepted about their sexuality, they have excelled in their areas of work and are an icon in their own ways. Infact i believe they are more sensitive and receptive emotionally . So how does it matter to me or to anyone else if their sexual preference are different.

By amending Section 377 (the court ruled that the law outlawing homosexual acts was discriminatory act of violation of fundamental rights) of the Indian Penal Code will certainly bring some respite to the many gay couples who can now walk freely holding hands without being harassed by policemens. It will help the couples freely visiting doctors to discuss their problems at the same it will help in checking HIV.

Few years back when the movie 'My brother Nikhil' was released, it didn't attract many viewers and I couldn't find a company to watch the movie besides the movie was not a hit inspite of a sensitive theme dealt delicately. The movie dealt with the sensitive issue of an AIDS patient who happens to be a homosexual, a very controversial topic in our culture. Leading gay rights activist and the Editor of India's first gay magazine Ashok Kavi has welcomed the judgement but said "the social stigma will remain. It is (still) a long struggle.

Though the court has made it 'legal' But the big question is, will society accept homosexuals? In India, most of us live with our parents. Some of us even work with our parents. So, a lot is at stake. You could lose your inheritance if you came out clean. It's a long way to go...but we can begin by being little sensitive and open about the whole issue..!

With Love ....To Michael

For many of us, English music meant 'Michael Jackson'. The fondest memories i have is when 'MJ' visited India in 1996 as a part of History World Tour. I, remember it was everywhere on Television channels, Newspapers, and everywhere i went people were talking about it. Many of my friends wanted to visit Mumbai to get a glimpse of MJ- 'The king of pop', it was once in a lifetime oppurtuinity.

I was not so lucky, I live in Delhi and as a school going teenager it was not possible to visit Mumbai, but i would not miss a single chance to watch him on the television, everytime some news about MJ came i used to rush towards the television and would not move until it was over. Then the day came when MJ arrived on November 1, 1996 Mumbai saw the biggest crowd ever. Celebrities( Sonali Bendre and Raj Thackrey recieved Michael Jackson at the airport), fans and airport staff thronged at the airport to catch a glimplse of the star. Another thing i remember, how MJ had said he loved indian food (During his stay he had Dosa, Naan and Aloo parantha and not to forget his personal cook was of Indian origin).

After the concert was over, MJ left india but not before leavinng souveniers in the hotel room where he stayed - a signed mirror and a pillow cover and an unfulfilled promise to return to India for his million fans in this part of the world.

During my college years, I had a friend who would dance only on MJ's songs, do moonwalk and threw his hat in the air, i cannot recall any festival where this friend of mine had not won first prize. MJ was an icon for the youths of my generation and such was his glory that wherever he went girls would cry , shout and scream and his concert were always a complete sold out.

In 2002, MJ was again in the news but this time with serious charges of being a 'peadophile', a charge which was never proved. People were shocked and could not believe. My personal view -a kid with a troubled childhood( abuse at the hands of his father at a very young age), eight siblings, loving father to three childrens and someone who was looked upon at by the whole world. He was a 'idol' for the youngster wouldnot do something like this. The worse part about the whole situation was that even his elder sister accussed him( for being a 'paedophile'). Though she later retraced from the statement.

After this episode MJ never recoverd, he became depressed, dependent on drugs, his career graph was constantly heading downwards, was under debts worth millions. Towards the end of 2008, he decided to make a 'comeback' and was putting all his efforts to re-gain his 'lost glory' by doing the comeback tour. He signed 10 ( 50 according to the organizers) concerts. But the efforts were cut short in the afternoon of 25June, 2009 when the 'star of the century' moonwalked in to the pages of history forever. The end was sudden, the world was shocked and billions of fan all around the world were left heart broken. The whole world mourned the passing away of the 'Music God' they worshipped. Though MJ is not phsically with us but the legacy he left behind will continue to live.........

"MJ, was a star who was never born, never died.

He will remain in our hearts forever......"

Below are the links to some of my favorite songs:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kifkk3JT4o&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqxo1SKB0z8&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI9OYMRwN1Q&feature=channel

Death in the bylanes of poverty

Two deaths in schools premises within a week. Both of them are girls and have history of some medical problem, the only diffrence is one of the girl belongs to the rich, educated and powerful class of the society and was a student of one of the best schools in the capital, and the other studies in an MCD school, parents are poor laborers and ofcourse are uneducated. But being poor is the reason enough to forget her untimely death.

Seven year old Shanno, a student of an MCD school died on April 17 after one of her teacher( Ms Manju rathi ) punished(making her stand in April sun and further putting bricks on her back) her for not being able to recite the english alphabets.

My question to Mrs Rathi and her Father-in-law is had her own child or his grand child failed to recite, would the punishment be same?

Even if Shano had history of epileptic attacks( as suggested by the school authorities), still is the punishment justified? Was it a punishment to the child or her own furstation for not being able to teach?

And for the school authorities, who have clearly washed their hands off. What have they done? Was Shanno not the responsibility of the school(if such is the behaviour of the school, no parents will ever send their child to school in the class of society where education is not important)? Even after fainting, no teachers rushed the child to the doctors.Why?

Then there is 17 year old Aakriti Bhatia, student of the famous Modern School, Vasant Vihar, who died of asthma attack in school on April 20. The parents are rich and educated. They hold dharnas, candlelight prayers were held, parents, friends and students from other well known schools such as Don Bosco, G.D Goenka flocked in to fight for justice for the death Aakriti Bhatia. Amid the hue and cry over the death of Aakriti Bhatia, Union Minister of State for Women and Children Development, Ms Renuka Choudhary was able to find time from her busy schedule to meet the Bhatias(Did the meet Shano's parents). After all this Mrs Bhatia had managed to register a case against the school principal Mr. Goldy Malhotra and the nurse 'Kutty'.

Kudos! to the efforts of Mrs Bhatia for managing to be in news even after the one and half month of her daughter's death.

My sympathies are with Mrs Bhatia, her loss is huge that no words can bring solace to her aching heart. But i have a simple question to ask- Is your loss not big enough to take you in to shock, that you still have mind and heart to go out, shout and scream, visit media people, visit Ms.

Choudhary and blame the school principal, nurse and authorities for the death of her teenage daughter.

I, myself have been an asthma patient for all my life, during my entire schooling i used to carry inhalers, and even at the slightest hint of an attack my mother would never send me school. I mean if you want to play the blame game, its up to you. In a schools 100s of kids study may be one them has stomach cancer and the other one has blood cancer, other kid may have Tuberculosis or someone may have some brain disorder. Is the schools supposed to have medication for every ailment. I agree, that school should have called for the ambulance but what is the guarntee the ambulance would have reached in time(in most of the cases the patient dies in the ambulance even before reaching the hospital). In such times the first things that comes to mind is to call the parents, that is exactly what the school authorities did.

It is my belief, being a chronic patient of Bronchitis since birth that Aakirti must have been feeling sick long before coming to school, the stress, dust and exertion of coming to schools only aggravaated her condition leading to her death few hours after coming to the school.

And the most important question, Did the Bhatia's ever informed the school about their daughter's acute problem.If not, why didn't they?

My point of writing this article is not to criticize the Bhatia's. My heart still goes with them (loosing their young child). But what about the little girl who lost life because of a frustrated woman who happens to be her teacher( according to our vedas teachers are gods!). Schools authorities have brushed their hands off, I am sure Ms. Rathi would have been leading a normal life, after few days she will resume working if not this then some other school, but what about the mother, father or sister of Shano. Will they ever be able to lead a normal life? Will shano's sister can go to the same school where her sister died?

While reading newspaper, couple of days back i could still find an artice on Aakirti (approximately 2months after her death) But nothing on Shano. Does her life has no value just because she was poor. Her death just got lost in the news of Bhatia's fight for justice. Who will fight for Shano?

Is it not the moral responsibilty of people like Mrs Bhatia (Who can understand the condition of Shano's mother better then her) to fight for shano as well, or of the media who has completely moved on of the episode to a more "breaking news".

My last question to whosoever is reading this article is Who deserves a severe punishment Ms Manju Rathi(who punished a student to death) or 'Goldy Malhotra', The principal or The Schools Nurse 'Kutty' who followed the instruction of parents of sending Aakriti home as per the instructions of her parents?

May the soul of both the girls rest in peace. May God give strenght and courage to their families to move on in this time of grief.

Hinamatsuri (Doll's Festival)

Today is the 3rd day of the third month, and it means special day to all those families in Japan who have daughters. Today they are celebrating Hinamatsuri - a day to celebrate the birth of their daughter. Also known as Momo no seku (or peach festival, because it is also a season of peach blossoms). Also known as Girls Day.

Most of the houses with girls will display Hinaningyo (ornamental dolls)". The dolls are always arranged in a set of 7 or 5 tiers. The topmost tiers belong to the The Emperor and The Emperess, next tier 3 court ladies, 2 ministers and lowermost for the servants. Also displayed are peach blossom, Hishimachi, Hina- arare and miniature furniture. The dolls are dressed in traditional kimono from the from the hieien period(794- 1192). The kimono worn by the dolls is now almost obsolete but makes rare apperances on royal ceremonies.

The origin of the festival can be traced back to a ancient chinese festival Hina nagashi (literally meaning doll floating). The chinese people will float down straw dolls down the rivers supposedly taking all the bad luck with them. Its during the Edo period(1603-1867), the festival was celebrated and popularized as Hinamatsuri (Girl's Festival).

On Hinamatsuri, the families get togather and share traditional meals Hishi mochi ( comprising of amazake, chirashizushi, and Hina arare. Clams also forms a part of the customary meal and are asociated with chestity, the reason being a pair of clam will only fit and no pair but the original one.

The dolls Hina-ningyo are taken out for display only once a year and soon after stored for the next year. As they believe if the dolls are not stored soon after, the girls marriage will be delayed. The dolls are usually gifted by grand parents or parents to the girls before she celebrates her first Hinamatsuri. During recent times buy the complete set of dolls have become really difficult owing to the high prices and small apartments. Usually the parents start buying with The emperor and The empress and keep on adding dolls every year till the set is complete. Sometimes the girls also own the dolls set once owned by their mother or grand-mothers. The dolls have great emotional and sentimental value. Someday even the daughter will pass the dolls to her daughter...

Now thats an amazing way to celebrate ur daughters existence..Isn't?

Devil go out! Happiness come in!

Today is February - the 3rd, while on my way back to home i saw few men throwing beans at the entrance of their houses and chanting some words which obviously i couldn't understand. But i was curious to know, so i asked some of my friends and they told me it is "Setsubun " today meaning from tommorow onwards officially spring will start.

Setsubun has a special meaning for the people of Japan. Every year on this day this festival is celebrated to welcome spring. "Setsubun" literally means "seasonal division". According to the ancient Japanese calender the first day of each season( Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter) were called as 'rishhun', 'rikka', 'rishuu' and 'ritto' respectively and the day before each season was celebrated as "Setsubun". But over the period of time this day is only celebrated before spring.

For many centuries people of Japan have been celebrating this festival with the pupose of chasing away 'evil'. As all traditional festivals, setsubun is celebrated in many variations throughout the country but the most common way is 'Mamemaki'. Mamemaki literally means scattering of soybeans(mame) to drive the evil(Oni) out of the house and welcome 'happiness(fuku) ' into the house. Some people put sardines(fish) and a sprig of holly near their entrance. The smell of the fish and the possibility of being poked by the holly sprig will keep the bad spirits or bad luck away from the house.Usually the head of the house in the evening scatters beans outside the house to chase the evil out and then throws beans inside the entrance for good luck to come inside while chanting "Oni wa sota!Fuku wa uchi!". Afterwards the other members of the family pick the number of beans respective to their present age and eat them. Eating 'mame" ensures good fortune in the coming year.

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There are several stories about how 'setsubun' orginated, but the most famous can be seen in 'Kyogen' performed every year in the Mibu temple of Kyoto. The play begins when an ogre (Devil) disguises himself to an old widow. This ogre with his magical powers( magical mallet) design a beautiful 'kimono'. The old widow is tempted to have the 'kimono', so decides to steal it. She gets the 'ogre' drunk and steals the kimono but still the old widow is not satified and wishes to steal the 'magical mallet'. The ogre was taken aback by the greed of the widow, so he decides to reveal his 'trueself' to the widow. Once in his ownself, the old widow is so scared that she throws the first thing that comes to her hand which happens to be 'soybeans' . The effect of the beans was such that the 'ogre' not only ran away, but the old woman was left healthier and wiser besides being free from 'evil'.