Vineeta Rana, Author at DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper

Love in the times of Homophobia

By Vineeta Rana December 23, 2016

India is a deeply homophobic nation, with not only rampant homophobia in mainstream society, but also policies that deny the LGBTQ community basic human rights and access to laws regarding equality and privacy. In such an environment, it is difficult to stay optimistic about love and support. However, the LGBTQ community in Delhi offers several events to combat the negativity that we face on a daily basis.

In the second week of December, Harmless Hugs and Love Matters organised the Delhi International Queer Theatre and Film Festival. While the turnout here was quite low, one of the most exciting events that the community looks forward to each year is the Pride Parade.

Taking place on the last Sunday of November, the Delhi Queer Pride Parade draws a huge crowd, including both members of the LGBTQ community and allies. The Parade kicks off each year on the crossing of the Barakhamba Road and Tolstoy Marg, and members marching until Jantar Mantar, where there is a stage for anyone who would like to perform. The Parade is characterised by banners, both heart-wrenching and hilarious, eccentric personalities, and smiling faces. The two years that I have attended Pride have ended in me going home with an aching jaw, tired from all the smiling that was the result of an environment of confidence, defiance, and happiness.

While the Parade misses out on a chunk of syllabus-cramming students due to its time of year, it never fails to garner publicity from major media outlets. Last year, renowned activist Laxmi led the Parade. This year, NDTV and the online portal Youth Ki Awaaz were some of the coverage partners at the event. While the most obvious cause of the Parade is the demand for LGBTQ rights, the march also focuses on contemporary issues. For example, the violence in Kashmir and the discrimination against Dalits were some of the topics this year.

For anyone looking to gain a sense of home, Pride is the perfect place to fit in, even among strangers. Despite 2016 being the worst, at least Delhi is keeping alive the culture of love in these awful times.

Two boyfriends at the Delhi Queer Pride Parade, 2016

Image Credits: Vagabomb

Vineeta Rana

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Biblio

Book Review- ‘Red Lipstick: The Men In My Life’

By Vineeta Rana December 20, 2016

Red Lipstick: The Men In My Life is an autobiographical work by Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, a famous transgender activist. It is written from a first person perspective, essentially being a trajectory of her life, from her traumatic and confusing childhood to a stable and empowering adulthood.

The book is divided into sections, each focusing on certain people and aspects of Laxmi’s life. For example, there is a section called “Raju’s Monologue”, referring to Laxmi’s persona at home, her childhood name Raju. In stark contrast, there is “Prince Manvendra’s Monologue: Laxmi, My Sister”, which is written by the Prince himself, and is a description of his familial relationship with Laxmi. The book also incorporates Hindu religion and mythology into it – there are sections called “The Creator”, “The Preserver”, and “The Destroyer”. These reflect not only Laxmi’s knowledge of ancient Indian texts, but also her understanding and recognition of their importance.

Laxmi describes herself as a hijra, a term that is loosely translated into the English “transgender”. She was born with a set of male sexual organs, called Raju, but has never felt entirely like a man. She spent her early years bridled with confusion and angst. She was raped by her cousins, ostracized at school, and lacked a sense of belonging. When she got wind of the fact that there were other people like her, she did all she could to establish a network with them, to form a community, to ensure their well-being. Thus she donned the persona of Laxmi, and became her. With bold lipstick and silk sarees, she embraced her femininity and her calling for social work, and dedicated her life to the betterment of sexual and gender minorities.

The book revolves around topics that the ordinary mainstream Indian is not entirely familiar, or even comfortable, with. Nevertheless, it resonates with the reader for the simple reason that it is honest and personal. Never at any point are we compelled to ‘like’ Laxmi. She can be aggressive, arrogant, and impulsive. She has manipulated people and exacted revenge on them. However, the very humane nature of these acts, and the simplicity and candour with which she states them, is remarkable. She is truly a character, dramatic and expressive. As she states towards the end of her book, despite her hardships she has tried to focus on her journey of empowerment. “I am a celebration, I feel, and that’s the narrative I choose for my story.”

Reading Red Lipstick allows us to catch a glimpse into the life of someone we have seen on TV several times, whether it be on Satyamev Jayate or Sach Ka Saamna. It allows us to comprehend her journey from a lost child to a UN representative, and brings us face to face with the harsh and cruel realities of India when it comes to minorities and their hardships. The book is a must-read for anyone who wishes to understand the LGBTQ scene in India, and how to play their part in improving the state of affairs.

Image Caption: Red Lipstick by Laxmi Narayan Tripathi
Image Credits: cake.youthkiawaaz.com

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Small Screen

RuPaul’s Drag Race The entry of the LGBTQ community into the mainstream

By Vineeta Rana December 8, 2016

RuPaul’s Drag Race is an American reality TV show that began in 2009, in the search for “America’s next drag superstar”. RuPaul, a stalwart in the drag industry, acts as the host, mentor, and judge for the show. The competition revolves around drag queens who are given two challenges every week, following which eliminations take place until there is one drag queen remaining.

Drag queens are men who transform themselves into women through makeup and costume and perform, usually in the form of dancing. When the show first came out, the drag industry was more of an underground indulgence which a select few people knew about. Today, it has transformed into more of a mainstream industry, with drag queens getting due credit for their hard work and talent.

With the growth in popularity and audience of RuPaul’s Drag Race, people have become more aware of the skill required for drag and have minimised the shunning of drag as a ‘lesser’ industry. The show displays not only the professional side of things, but also gets up close and personal with the contestants. Throughout the eight seasons, the contestants have revealed teary details about their lives. For instance, a contestant in Season 1 revealed that she was living with HIV, whereas in Season 2, a contestant came out as transgender. More commonly, there have been discussions of families, both those who have been supportive and those who have abandoned their drag queen children. Through these stories, RuPaul’s Drag Race successfully humanises a community of people we consider to be ‘the other’. It portrays their problems as similar to ours – leaving their families and children behind to compete for success, overcoming hardships to do what they truly want to, and pushing on in a world which seems determined to hurt you.

The show isn’t always serious, though. RuPaul has a series of catchphrases that add hilarity and grandeur to an already over-the-top reality show. In recent years, the show has inspired a couple of spin-offs, most notably RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars. The discussion of it in mainstream media, such as podcasts and Youtube videos by popular social media stars has encouraged more people to delve into previously unchartered territory. The majority of the contestants have been gay men, whose discussions present a new lens through which the audience views gay men. Their problems are no longer trivialised, and the hardship that they have gone through, and continue to go through on a daily basis, is highlighted. The presence of transgender contestants has also added to discussion around the LGBTQ community.

In this way, a show that started off with a niche audience has successfully entered the mainstream and has contributed immensely to the portrayal and representation of the LGBT community. As a reality TV show, it packs the perfect punch of entertainment and drama along with emotion.

Image Caption: RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7 Poster
Image Credits: OUTtv

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Uncategorized

WHEN US POLITICS TURNED INTO A SITCOM (and why it’s scary)

By Vineeta Rana December 6, 2016

The tussle between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump during the US presidential campaign seemed hilarious to most spectators, almost in the way a sitcom is. It was a reminder of the competing campaigns of Leslie Knope and Bobby Newport from Parks and Recreation, a popular American comedy.

The parallels between Hillary Clinton and Leslie Knope are apparent. Both have spent large portions of their lives working for the government, battling for the benefit of the state. Knope’s enthusiasm and love for her city is a major aspect of her optimistic character. She repeatedly declares that she loves her city and never backs down from doing whatever it takes to make it better. In fact, she has a framed photo of Hillary Clinton on her wall of inspirational leaders. Much like Knope, Clinton presented an optimistic front during her campaign. Contrary to her opponent’s campaign slogan, she iterated the notion that America is already great. Both women’s positive campaigns, and their faith in the electorate, are distinct characteristics of their personalities. Furthermore, both Knope and Clinton are clearly the more knowledgeable candidates. In the sitcom, Knope runs an amateur campaign against a professional campaign manager, and while she faces difficulties, she is confident that she will emerge victorious in the debate. This demeanor was also reflected in Clinton’s composed and dignified campaign, with her direct answers to questions on national policies during the presidential debates.

On the other hand, Donald Trump is the mirror image of the simple-minded Bobby Newport, an entitled man who was born into privilege and lives off his father’s money. Both men gain voters on the basis of their fame – Trump, a billionaire hotelier and Newport, the heir to a candy company. They also feed off of the negativity of the crowd, as well as mob mentality. Trump threatens to put Clinton in jail, whereasNewport threatens to shut down his candy factory in the city. Both men contribute nothing of substance in the electoral debates, but instead attempt to get by on their popularity. They are similar in their immaturity and their temperament, only that Newport is comic and Trump is frightening.

In Parks and Recreation, Knope wins the seat on the city council. It is a moment of immense satisfaction, in which the character receives what she deserves, and the audience can heave a sigh of relief that the city is in the hands of someone who truly loves it and aims to selflessly work hard for it. Unfortunately, and scarily, the real-life presidential candidates did not follow in the footsteps of their TV-counterparts. Instead of a well-meaning friendly lady, we now have a xenophobic and bigoted winner.

The American state, once knownforits forward-thinkingand democratic characteristics, has now regressed, effectively nulling the progress made in recent years. Only three years after the historic Supreme Court ruling that legalised nation-wide same-sex marriage, we now have a Vice President who propagates conversion therapy and is openly anti-LGBTQ rights. Trump’s win has not only set back the Americans; as the leader of the most powerful country in the global arena, his win will greatly impact international politics as well. The UN is effectively run by the US, and the US contributes greatly to the growth of the global capitalist economy. With its xenophobic and closed policies, the US will affect the political scenarios of countries all around the world, especially those that are in close interaction with it, and those that depend on it for trade and aid.

The mob mentality inspired by Trump in the US is reflective of the growth of right-wing politics across continents. For instance, Austria, a liberal European nation known for equality and freedom recently narrowly avoided a right-wing leader coming to power. In India itself, the saffron wave has been spreading for the past few years. Having Trump at the helm of international politics could well impact the mindset of not only diverse leaders, but also diverse populations. Only time will tell whether US politics will in fact end up as unexpected as a sitcom.

Image Caption: The city council debate in Parks and Recreation

Image Credits: The Hofstra Chronicle

Image Caption: The presidential debate

Image Credits: Verge Campus

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Reviews

Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them: A Magical Movie Review

By Vineeta Rana December 5, 2016

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, is a must-watch for any movie fanatic, Potterhead or not. Its fitting score and enveloping camerawork draws the audience in, and keeps them there on the edge of their seat with a cohesive plot. The cast is directly reflective of the characters’ personalities, a feat for which the Harry Potter movies are well-known. Eddie Redmayne plays Newt Scamander, a British wizard who wishes to educate the wizarding world about thousands of magical creatures and their properties. He has kind eyes and a concerned demeanour while he searches for his escaped beasts. His caring and selfless nature is reflective of Hagrid’s, a similarity which Potterheads cannot overlook. Characters such as Tina and Queenie Goldstein, Jacob Krakowski, and Credence, are surprisingly fleshed out, giving the audience a chance to connect to them and appreciate their humanity. On the other hand, Mr Graves provides an antagonistic character, moving the plot forward with his less-than-noble actions. Most of all, the magic is unforgettable. The movie starts off with Hedwig’s theme, bringing with it a sense of familiarity and of home. The creatures are full of personality, each having their own charm. Their brilliant colours and extraordinary size, coupled with their names and their habitats, are reminiscent of the inherent magic of Hogwarts. It is impossible to not feel at home with the protagonists, especially for Potterheads. But even if you are not an avid Harry Potter fan, you will enjoy the movie for its thrill and its characters, and perhaps be sucked into the Potter universe at last. A must-watch of the winter season, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a stunning flashback into the wizarding world we all love, and a brilliant adaptation of a book that is essentially a manual rather than a novel. Image Caption: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Movie Poster Image Credits: visitdunfermline.com Vineeta Rana [email protected]]]>

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Uncategorized

WORLD AIDS DAY

By Vineeta Rana December 2, 2016

World AIDS day is held every year on the first day of December. The tradition started in 1988, when it became the first ever global health day. The day is held to commemorate people who live with HIV and the people who have died as a result of it. Most importantly perhaps, it is a day that raises awareness about HIV and AIDS and encourages discussion around health awareness and support systems.

WHAT IS AIDS?

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Contrary to popular belief, the two are not synonymous, and it is possible to live with HIV without having AIDS. One is considered to have developed AIDS when the immune system is weakened to the extent where it can no longer fight even mild diseases. For example, someone living with HIV is more susceptible to getting tuberculosis. In such an event, the immune system can weaken immensely, leading to a condition of AIDS.

HIV is contracted through the exchange of bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. Therefore, the most common ways in which people get infected are by sharing needles or having unprotected sex.

TALKING ABOUT AIDS

The only way to stop the spread of HIV, and subsequently of AIDS, is to talk about it. Despite three decades of the virus being discovered, there remains a large cloud of confusion around it. Moreover, people are unwilling to talk and learn about HIV and AIDS due to the societal stigma around it, and due to beliefs about how HIV can be contracted.

The main vehicle for talking about the epidemic is school, or more specifically, sex education at schools. Abstinence-only education, or the lack of education at all, contributes immensely to the growing number of people who are diagnosed with AIDS each year. Some basic facts must be cleared out. Gay men are not the only ones who can contract HIV. The virus can be transmitted through vaginal, and in some cases, through oral sex as well. Condoms continue to be the primary source of safe sex – they prevent unwanted pregnancies as well as the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, and are instrumental in stopping the spread of HIV.

As a developing country with a huge population, India is home to many HIV-afflicted citizens. The taboo that remains around anything sexual prevents us from moving forward to becoming a healthy nation. We hope you do your part to spread awareness about the importance of talking about HIV !

Image Credits: Cultural Sponge

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DUB Speak

Child Abuse: How to watch out and what to do

By Vineeta Rana December 1, 2016

Among the many injustices that innocent children around the world face, a rampant one is abuse. UNICEF defines violence against children as “physical and mental abuse and injury, neglect or negligent treatment, exploitation and sexual abuse”. This can include mistreatment by strangers as well as family members, underage labour, and most commonly, sexual abuse.

THE NUMBERS

Child abuse is, unfortunately, a common phenomenon in India. While there is still focus on child abuse issues in the public domain such as unlawful labour and sex-selective abortion, abuse of a sexual nature remains hushed.

Over 33,000 cases of sexual abuse were reported in 2011
Out of these, over 7,000 were of child rape
One in every 10 children is abused before the age of 18
Over 7,000 children are raped every year
Over 40% of girls undergo sexual violence before the age of 13
40% of the children are susceptible to threats of homelessness, trafficking, drug abuse, forced labour, and crime

SOME SOLUTIONS

Be aware! Look out for signs of abuse in the children around you. Families who have a history of domestic violence, alcoholism, etc are more vulnerable to child abuse. Children who seem withdrawn or have bruises must also be given special attention.

Speak up! Talk to children around you about the distinction between a ‘good touch’ and a ‘bad touch’. Make them feel comfortable, so that they may confide in you anything that bothers them. Speak to the adults in your family, and encourage them to give their children proper sex education.

Listen! Listening is a core component of making any child feel comfortable and valued. When someone confides in you about matters of abuse, ensure that you listen to them closely, and let them know that their privacy will be maintained. Try to understand the situation to the best of your abilities, and take whatever step you feel is necessary to ensure that the child is safe.

Report! As per Section 19 and 21(1) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, it is mandatory to report any such cases that one is aware of. Thanks to this Act, investigation has sped up and consequently, more cases have been reported. Dialling 1098 connects you to the Childline India Foundation, which works to keep children safe from abuse.

Child abuse is a major concern in India, and it is time we took active steps to curb it. Children who are subjected to abuse often develop psychological problems, and have difficulties in forming meaningful relationships in their adulthood.

Image Credits: The Better India

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Arts & Culture

Sepia organises its first ever exhibition in DRC

By Vineeta Rana November 8, 2016

On 27 October 2016, the film and photography society of Daulat Ram College, Sepia, held a photography exhibition in the gazebo in the front lawns. The exhibition displayed photos taken by the current team, as well as some ex-Sepia members. It included a variety of shots, such as those of nature, animals, and portraits. The event was open to all, and students from other colleges also came to admire the efforts of the team. Sepia also constructed a photo booth with a funky background and quirky props that everyone could use. They also had a feedback book, in which it was apparent that the viewers of the exhibition truly appreciated the hard work put in by the society members.

The event was a success overall and is only an indicator of the events to come this year.

Myraid themes came together in one exhibit.

Image Credits: Team Sepia

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Fandom

This Fall Revel in Hogwarts House Aesthetics

By Vineeta Rana November 8, 2016

The festive is upon us and here’s a look at what each one of us can do to celebrate, according to the four Hogwarts houses.

GRYFFINDOR – their daring, nerve, and chivalry set them apart

Gryffindor aesthetic — Lovers of the limelight, they would cosy up inside with braggadocious tales to tame their egos

Gryffindors are bold, fearless, and enjoy being in the spotlight. An ideal day for them would include waking up past noon and

spending the day in their pyjamas beside a crackling fire in a cosy setting, much like the Gryffindor common room. They would

indulge in junk food and mildly alcoholic drinks, not bothered about being called lazy. Creating a ruckus well into the night,

they’d share tales of their achievements and adventures, and come up with all sorts of challenges – just so they could earn

bragging rights.

HUFFLEPUFF – where they are just and loyal

Hupplepuff — Cheerful and outdorsy, they would bask in the embrace of nature

Nothing speaks Hufflepuff like warmth and quiet. They’d spend the autumnal season enjoying the outdoors, appreciating the

changing colour of the leaves. They’d go nowhere without some snacks and peppy pop music on their playlist. Embracing all

sorts of cliches, they would step on crunchy leaves, and buy pumpkin spice lattes to fuel their good mood. A joy to be around

this time of year, Hufflepuffs imbibe the perfect combination of comfort and a sense of wonder for nature.

RAVENCLAW – where wit beyond measure is man’s greatest treasure

Ravenclaws are extraordinarily smart and proud to show it. A pile of books is a common accessory, one without which any

Ravenclaw would be ashamed to be spotted. They prefer the familiar indoors, but are not opposed to the mysterious

wilderness of the outdoors. With a perfect view of fall just outside their window, they’d cuddle up with a cup of hot strong

coffee, a new paperback, and an occasional Netflix documentary to get their brain cells working. Always keen to learn,

Ravenclaws would seize any opportunity through the festive holidays to brush up on their knowledge whether it’s for class or,

more probably, for the mere sake of learning.

SLYTHERIN – they use any means to achieve their ends

Unfairly labelled as brooding and sinister, but too proud to admit it, Slytherins like to spend their time lazily in their rooms,

catching a break from their often-hectic routines. This does not mean they don’t complete their tasks or duties; in fact,

Slytherins would never give anyone a chance to chide them for their work ethic. Possessing a dark sense of humour, Slytherins

take on the world with an independence and fierceness that is unmatched – with a fall drinking list leaning more towards

firewhiskey than butterbeer.

Take inspiration from your favourite Hogwarts house and indulge in these habits for a lovely fall! It’s the least we can do for

those of you still waiting for your Hogwarts letter.

Image Credits: Arushi Bhaskar of Miranda House

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DUB Speak

More than a Marksheet!

By Vineeta Rana November 6, 2016

As the semester comes to an end and you realise that this wasn’t the best year for your academics, don’t get disheartened. You have probably learnt a lot more than what could ever be reflected on a mark sheet.

There are very few of us who are entirely content with the way we spent our semester. We could have put in more hours of study, we could have bunked fewer classes, and we could have started our assignments earlier than the night before they were due. When we receive our grade sheet, all it shows is our achievements within the strict boundaries of college. So when you aren’t satisfied by your marks, remember to weigh them against everything else you gained this semester, for they are not the sole measure of your achievements.

Whether it’s the hours of hard work spent practicing with your theatre society or sleepless nights from reading articles on the Internet, these actions are to be appreciated rather than disregarded. Maybe you took on a new internship or started going to poetry events or simply took out the time to explore Delhi. The fact of the matter is that you learnt – even if it was some implicit skill or fact – and you grew. You grew beyond the constraints of college academics, and that is to be applauded.

This is not to justify the hours you spent binge watching TV shows the night before an exam or not paying attention in class. Such actions definitely need to be corrected. But we need to know when to draw the line between compromising on class because we’re grabbing another fruitful opportunity and skipping class because we want to sleep in. We could all learn some efficient time management, especially when it comes to this last stretch of the semester. It is also imperative that we devote the majority of our time to academics during this period. But when you feel guilty for having ignored your studies for months on end, reflect back on what you gained from pursuing other activities. This will keep you motivated and will also encourage you to spend more time on academics in the weeks leading up to the exams.

Simply put, don’t disregard your growth throughout the semester merely because you’re a little behind in your studies. Instead, take this opportunity to catch up and work hard for the exams. Good luck!

Image Credits: DU Beat

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