In a first, parents of LGBT children to meet in Pune

1. 4
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PUNE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012 SPEAK UP l www.dnaindia.com l facebook.com/dnaindia
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Have politicians taken a
Younger politicians are going for
khadi kurtas while seniors prefer linen
It is true that linen cloth has nowadays become
popular among politicians, but khadi is still
preferred and revered by politicians. Combined
sales of linen and silk at our store are 30%,
shine to linen over khadi?
whereas 70% of our sales are of khadi. In fact,
the younger generation of politicians are go-
ing for khadi kurtas while the seniors prefer
for linen. Khadi has not at all lost its relevance
among our politicians. Even today, they are the major chunk
of our customers.
Nowadays, khadi comes in two forms, one woven on For decades,
charkha and the other made by looms. Khadi also comes in
super white, which has the same rich look like linen. I would thanks to Mahatma
rather say that khadi is worn more as a fashion statement
than linen. Those who do not like the dullish look of charkha Gandhi’s movement,
woven khadi can go for the woven khadi, which comes in the white khadi has
various designs.
—PANKAJ SARDA, PROPRIETOR, MAHESHWARI KHADI BHANDAR been the trademark
of netas across the
Today’s political leaders don’t even country. But it seems
know why they should wear khadi more politicians have
There is a basic contradiction between Ma-
hatma Gandhi’s principles propagated taken a liking to linen
through khadi and what these political lead-
ers do today. Khadi stands for purity and
because of its soft
clarity. It symbolises that as a political work- feel and rich look.
er how you serve the people and nation. The
one who wears khadi and also misuses Speak Up finds out
his/her political powers will always carry a whether khadi will
guilty feeling. By wearing linen, you can hide that guilt and
at the same time it has a richer look. still be in demand in
Today’s youth should be aware that Gandhi and his prin-
ciples have many aspects. Gandhi started the khadi move- years to come or will
ment to encourage handspun cloth and boycott foreign
goods to remove unemployment and make the nation self-
lose out to the other
reliant. Khadi became an ideology and symbol of self-re- fabric?
spect. However, today’s political leaders do not even know
why they should wear khadi. It has just become a fashion
statement.
—KUMAR SAPTRISHI, GANDHIAN
Customers buying khadi
Khadi played a significant role during cloth at a shop in Pune.
Khadi became a symbol
our struggle for independence of nationalism after
As the country is developing and experi- independence —File photo
encing economic growth, it is also changing
in terms of social preferences like what we
wear and our overall lifestyle. The attraction Linen is very breathable and comes Once you get used to wearing linen,
and fascination of today’s politicians to-
in multiple weaves SPINNING THE CHARKHA you get addicted to that fabric
wards linen is part of this change that the
country is witnessing. Linen is preferred We get a lot of orders for linen and khadi Khadi is a hand-spun fabric made from cotton, silk or The sale of linen has gone up and it is more in demand than
over khadi because it looks good, is fash- kurtas and jackets from young politicians, wool. Linen, on the other hand, is made from the fibres of before. I would say that today people have become more
flax plant, which are imported from France and China,
ionable and in vogue. and over 70% are for linen and 30% prefer linen-conscious. Linen is a more costly fabric available be-
and prepared on modern looms
Khadi has its own relevance for every Indian and it has a khadi. Linen definitely has a much richer tween Rs400 and Rs2,000 per metre. I really don’t know why
prominent place in history as it played a significant role dur- look and comes in multiples weaves. Apart Khadi is not just a cloth, it is a whole movement started by linen is more preferred over khadi by politicians. Probably
ing our struggle for independence. from being a superior fabric, linen is very Mahatma Gandhi. The movement aimed at boycotting due to its rich look.
It is a symbol of purity and will always be so for genera- breathable and also gets starched easily. foreign goods and promoting Indian goods. Gandhi began Linen mixed fabric yarns are spun mostly in Rishra near
tions to come. It is not that linen has replaced khadi; the Though linen clothes get crumpled easi- promoting the spinning of khadi for rural self-employment Kolkata. The fabric is known for its rich look and comfort.
and self-reliance (instead of using cloth manufactured
hand-woven cloth is still very much in demand especially ly, it has more grace compared to khadi. Linen is in vogue es- industrially in Britain) in 1920s India thus making khadi an Once you get used to wearing linen, you get addicted to that
among the younger generation of politicians. pecially among the politicians, because they have to be in integral part and icon of the Swadeshi movement fabric. The only problem why linen is not very popular is
The khadi fabric is now available in different colours, tex- kurta all through the day. Design, quality and comfortabili- because it is very difficult to maintain and gets easily crum-
ture and quality. Khadi will not go out of fashion, it has its ty wise, the linen fabric makes more sense. The politicians Linen is labour-intensive to manufacture, but when it is pled. Many linen suits are available in the market and it has
own special importance. mostly end up wearing white khadi, which has only 4 to 5 made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional become a fashion statement to be worn at parties. Howev-
—NARENDRA BANSODE, coolness and freshness in hot weather. Linen is three
different weaves. Linen has more option of weaves. times more expensive than khadi
er, you will never see corporates wearing linen suits.
VICE-PRESIDENT, PIMPRI ASSEMBLY, YOUTH CONGRESS —NIVEDITA SABOO, FASHION DESIGNER —ZALAMCHAND JAIN, LINEN DISTRIBUTOR
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Accumulating In a first, parents of LGBT ALMANAC
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
happiness Shri Vikram Samvat 2068, Sake Era 1933, Sun Uttrayan,
children to meet in Pune
Dakshin Gole, Shishir Ritu, Magh Shukla Paksha Purnima till
3.26 am, Nakshatra Pusya till 1.50 pm, Yoga Ayusman till
12.52 pm, Karan Bhadra till 4.12 pm and after that Bav till
How do we ac- leaps in life, just tries moving 3.26 am. Then Balav starts.
cumulate happi- from one lamp post to the
Rahu Kala: 3 pm to 4.30 pm
ness? A tough next. By doing so he experi- To be held on March 11, film-maker Chitra Palekar will be the chief guest Yam Ganda: 9 am to 10.30 am
task for all, but ences significant changes that
not an impossi- take place and enlighten him Pallavi Kharade Onky informs that the function Best Period: 10.30 am to noon & 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm
ble one. It is said from within. One must always will be an informal one. “We want the
that a person learn to live in the present and The conservative middle-class world parents to be comfortable. While the
with a happy, try to connect with what is of the Aptes literally came crumbling venue is not yet decided, we are plan-
POSITIVE healthy mind is around us. This simple down when their only son confessed ning to organise it either at Child
THINKING the one who is
happiest, be-
method will give us a height-
ened state of awareness. The
about his homosexuality. It took a
long time for the parents to come to
guidance centre at Sahyadri Hospital
or at Open Space.” YOUR CITY—YOUR DAY
Rajyogi cause in this more aware we are, the more terms with it. Harish Iyer, a creative profession- For listings, please mail at puneeventsdna@gmail.com
Brahmakumar
Nikunj
state of mind he we are able to stay above. The It is to address these issues and al will be participating in the meet
remains calm habit of seeing benefit in concerns of such parents that for with his mother. “I am going to share
and truly happy. The main rea- everything helps us to stay the first time in Pune, city-based my example and my mom is going to
son for our unhappiness is above when the world is down Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender share her experiences and the prob-
when we fall below the line below. What is needed for this (LGBT) support group, Prayatna, lems she faced while accepting my
of self respect. The lower we is good feelings, energy, light would be organising a parents’ meet sexuality. It’s very important for the
sink beneath our self respect, and more understanding. We on March 11. Members of the LGBT community during family to come out and support.”
Pune’s Gay Pride March —File photo
the more miserable we be- can learn from everything that Film-maker Chitra Palekar, who is Padma Iyer, Harish’s mother, feels
come, slipping into a state of happens around us. If some- supporting the cause for years them, I decided to start it in Pune as that there should be more such meets
denial, thinking that it is nor- one else makes a mistake, we through her organisation PLAG (Par- well. The relationship of parents with should be held where the parents of
mal not to have can learn from it as well. Pos- ents and families of lesbians and their kid is the most important rela- LGBT children can come together and
happiness.However, our focus itive vision is an incredible gays), will be the chief guest. tionship of all. Hence, it is important discuss the issues.
should not be on constant way to bring happiness into Onky, the founder of Prayatna said, to know their outlook towards their “It is a great idea to organise such
happiness, but it should be on the world. So try to cultivate “For the first time, such a meet will LGBT kids. Since most of the parents a meet and I am all for it. When you
how we can begin to achieve positive vision in life and keep be taking place in Pune. In Mumbai, are straight, they will share and dis- participate in these meets, you don’t
a happy and healthy mind. A accumulating happiness. the support group, Gay Mumbai, has cuss the issues they are facing. And feel alienated and find a solace in the
wiser person is the one who been organising parents’ meet for we are open to suggestions and even fact that you are not the only one who
instead of trying to make big Om shanti.nikunjji@gmail.com many years. Taking inspiration from criticism from our parents.” has a LGBT child.”
● Exhibition been organised by Ayurved
Shikshan Manadal
CONVENOR OF IESM SPEAKS ABOUT PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF RETIRED DEFENCE PERSONNEL AND WIDOWS OF WAR VETERANS What: Artist Amisha Mehta is
When: February 7 to 29;
showcasing her abstract
4 to 5 pm
‘Our main aim is to fight for one rank, one pension’
works at Malaka Spice.
Amisha has tried to create art Where: Ayurved Shikshan
full of emotions, which arouse Mandal’s Ashtang Ayurved
the feeling of being in love Mahavidyalay, 2062, Sadashiv
When: Till February 15; Peth
to spread the word about ECHS to
Q&A The officers have been provided relief by AFT but the veterans and encourage them to ben- 11 am to 11.30 pm ● Rally
Commander RW Pathak efit from this very good scheme. Where: Malaka Spice, Lane 5, What: Alka Lamba of Akhil
government is yet to implement the ruling. Denial of the We are also working towards im- Koregaon Park Bharatiya Congress
Commander Ravindra Waman Pathak, right to vote is another issue we are looking at. The serving proving other benefits like Ayurve- Contact: (020) 26151088, Committee has organised
convenor of Indian Ex-Servicemen personnel have been denied the right to vote at their place da treatment offered to veterans, 9665904250 a rally
Movement (IESM), studied in various of posting since 1995 fixed medical allowance for those ● Seminar When: 9 am to 10 pm
schools while travelling with his IAS fa- —Commander RW Pathak, convenor, Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement living far from ECHS polyclinics, im- What: A district-level Where: Ward numbers 5, 4, 7,
ther. He finished his schooling from provement in canteen services and seminar on foreign 38, 18 and 38
Sainik School, Satara and joined the ensuring the right to vote for serv- investment in retail sector by ● Festival
National Defence Academy as a naval been taking place since 1947 when and officers. Having increased the Supreme Court judgment on the ing personnel in places of posting. Yashaswi Education Society
What: 797th festival of
cadet in 1965. He joined the Indian Jawaharlal Nehru said independent pensions of JCOs (junior commis- same. IESM does not work on issues that When: 9.30 am to 5.30 pm Hazrat Shahadawal Baba has
Navy in 1969 and saw action during India does not need armed forces un- sioned officer) and those below them are at local level. Where: IIMS, sr no 169/A, been organised
the 1971 war. During his tenure, he til after the sixth pay commission. with effect from July 1, 2009, which What are the problems faced by opposite Elpro International, When: 5 pm to 10 pm
specialised in navigation duties and Our main aim is to fight for OROP aims to bring near parity with post ex-servicemen and widows of How can people contact you or how Chinchwad
commanded two warships. He was the (one rank, one pension), which 2006 retirees, the Indian government servicemen and how does IESM can they become members of Where: Dargah Sharif, sr no
● Ceremony 29, Corporation 164
intelligence and protocol officer at means same pension for same rank did not give any benefits to widows plan to resolve it? your NGO?
What: Suryadatta national Yerawada, Deccan College
Western Naval Command at the time irrespective of the date of retirement. or the officers. The IESM is working at ground level For enrolling as members or to get award ceremony and 14th Road
of his retirement in 1989. Pathak spoke We strongly feel that a separate pay The officers have been provided in the following areas: redressal on issues connected with Foundation Day
to Kiran Dahitule about IESM, which commission for the defence forces relief by AFT (Armed Forces Tri- Pension: We liaise with banks and pension one can contact the ● Workshop
When: 10 am
is a NGO working for the cause of re- should be set up on the lines of oth- bunal) but the government is yet to record offices to correct the pensions following: What: Learn the art of
Where: Tilak Smarak Mandir, making 3D gift articles
tired defence personnel. er national commissions. implement the ruling. and payment of dues in time. Cdr R W Pathak, 982329340, ravi-
Tilak Road
Denial of the right to vote is yet ECHS: We have been officially recog- warsha@gmail.com When: Till February 12;
What is the aim of IESM? What issues are being another issue we are looking at. The nised as the liaison between the Gp Capt SS Phatak, 9421003200, ● Lecture 10 am onwards
IESM was born in 2008 to protest tackled by IESM? serving personnel have been denied ECHS (Ex-servicemen contributory sushan1005@yahoo.com What: Ayurvedic Swastya Where: Art Zone Hobby
against the injustice meted out to re- One of the major issues that we are the right to vote at their place of health scheme) central organisation Lt Col Vinod Patil, 9923701885, Rakshan lecture series has Centre, Deccan Gymkhana
tired defence personnel that has handling is injustice against widows posting since 1995 after the and the veterans. We are committed bscd5791@gmail.com