So much pride happened re baba

On Saturday, February 3, we had a splash of colours at August kranti Maidan where Mumbai celebrated its 10th Pride Parade. The venue is of historical significance as here’s where the Quit India Movement started 75 years ago. Abhi bhi we are stuck with the Victorian British Law — section 377  — that stands against the spirit of our country that celebrates  people for who they are. 

There were banners, posters, individuals, and families. I personally had a Sooraj Bharjatya film moment with my siblings welcoming my partner Aadesh into the family with posters of his at the pride. 

They had it cheap because I didn’t take money from them for mooh-dikhai-ka-rasam. Aadesh and I had cross-dressed. I was wearing a shimmy shiny outfit designed by Nazia Hafiz, assisted by Aastha. We looked like a phataka because Aadesh and I got a ladies-wala makeover from my friend Koishee Yee, who I had not met in 15 years. That’s what pride does to you. It brings back old friends who do new things to celebrate your new chapter with pure unadulterated love. 

For me, one of  the best part of the pride were diverse student groups that joined in. There were students from ISDI, WPP, and young and determined minds from the group called ‘The Plane Jar’ who joined in at the last moment to take charge of the social media all by themselves with very little direction from the Pride organising team. They were on their own — asking the right questions and spreading the word on social media. You could call  young minds crazy, but ‘crazy’ can change the world for the good. Also, this year, we decided to minimise the impact on the environment by deciding to not release 300 helium balloons like we do. (Baby steps). Also, like every year, there was a green team in place headed by environmentalist Anand Pendharkar to ensure that we leave the space spic and span with no mess of plastic. Activist Sanjana also got in MobiCabs to ensure that the senior citizens and disabled persons came to the pride. Mobility shouldn’t restrict their pride. 

We are like that; our pride and our minds are totally Chakachak!

Aani, we are queer, queer mhanje mast. 

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