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Let’s cross the bridge together

The conclave had an eclectic mix of conversations that were more focussed on changes in the grass root level.

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Harish Iyer
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I was in Delhi during the weekend for a gender conclave, titled “The Bridge”. A one-day event with the naam-gramis of India, there were several speeches on various issues of gender and sexuality. While it was all hoi-polloi with chamaks-dhamaks of Delhi speaking in chaste angrezi, it also had women from rural Maharashtra and Andhra who spoke in Marathi and Telugu. The conclave had an eclectic mix of conversations that were more focussed on changes in the grass root level.

I participated in two panel discussions —the first one of which was called ‘377 and Counting’. I was joined by my friend, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, who projected an enigmatic perspective, eliciting a fantastic response from the audience. Laxmi makes an impact wherever she goes with her unique style. She is the gift to the world, overcoming all challenges. She stresses on lobbying to ensure that people are aware about trans people. She also speaks to politicians of all colour. She celebrates her life and her journey even when she speaks about the dark phases of her life. She is unstoppable and her achievements are unthinkable. She is truly an international figure.
I even had a chance to meet the incredible Vasu Primlani, known for many things besides his stand-up comedy. 

Vasu has been changing lives of people who are truamatised by giving them therapy. And while we speak about stand up, let me share that Bandra-wali Sumukhi Suresh and punekar Ayushi Jagad were present at the conclave too. I also met the outspoken author, Deepanjana Pal, who is now a mumbaichi porgi as well. Deepanjana and Ayushi were my co panelists where we discussed Feminist Men. Both these ladies, along with the moderator Rituparna, brought in interesting views without being condescending or insulting to men. That’s how it needs to be. How I wish most men do the same with “decency”.

Ayushi is a darling. She batted for non-binary folks in the LGBTIQ community when we discussed feminism. That’s what I wish all our discussion lead to – the inclusion of minorities who face similar exclusion and discrimination. The panel on feminist men left everyone applauding the women. And rightly so. My andhar-ki-aurat was clapping. Seriously, bodily experiences aside, who gives anyone the right to assume what my gender is and deep within how much of a man I am and how much of a woman?

We ended the evening like Mumbai people do. We chatted, we knew each other better. We wished we never went to bed. We just wanted the night to never end. The funny thing is Mumbai people dont meet that often in Mumbai. 
These conversations, did “bridge” the gap. These conversations created impact and got us closer. Like some janam-janam-ka-saathi and it was the time to say.

Punha bhetu yaa!

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