Update: My article on the pink chaddi campaign was published in the Women’s International Perspective.
In Bangalore, the hug karo campaign…
Though we did not keep a steady count, I’m quite certain that our group gave out at least 50-70 hugs which considering the small group was a pretty good number. However, the entire time, all of us felt that people were hesitant to come for a hug, that they were skeptical of our motives and were simply embarrassed. But a lot of them also showed support, giving us thumbs up, coming and giving us tight hugs or general words of encouragement and praise. That kept us heartened and energised to go at it for close to 2-1/2 hours.
In Mumbai, a lone crusader at Kala Ghoda…
On the chaddi front, the facebook group now has over 45000 members; the creators of the group have now moved it to a fan club and have are sending updates on their plans for future action. Way to go, people!
And while on chaddis, in today’s Mumbai Mirror, Gulzar on holding on to what he thinks is correct…
But the funniest incident occurred when I wrote the children’s song ‘Chaddi pehen ke phool khila hai’ for Jungle Book. Someone said the word ‘chaddi’ was vulgar and if I could change it to lungi. I stuck to my guns.†– just imagine, jungal jungal pata chala hai, lungi pehenke phool khila hai.
When Gulzar wrote ,”Chaddi pehen ke phool khila tha’ he specifically was referring to the trademark chaddi of mowgli. After all Mowgli doesn’t wear a lungi.
I think obscenity exists in the minds of people.If by the mere mention of a chaddi people go off into sexual fantansies , that says a lot about the person taking offence rather than the person writing verses about chaddis.It is all in the mind.
Thumbs up to that lone courageous crusader of love in Mumbai. Indians need to stop being cowards and assert their rights to freedom of choice.
cheers ,
India.