The Queer Chronicle - July 2010

TQC

THE QUEER CHRONICLE 2010

JUL

Issue 1 . Volume 11 . Pune

TQC EXCLUSIVE: BEHIND THE RAINBOW CURTAIN

QUARANTINE: A REVIEW

PARTY CALENDAR FOR JULY 2010

PAGE 1

PAGE 4

PAGE 15

In this issue

Editorial

A year already? I am sure the

TQC Exclusive: Behind the Rainbow Curtain

01

QuaranDne: A Review

04

Movie Report: ‘Amnesia’

06

Readers’ Corner

07

Money: The Pink Rupee

08

Leisure: Life & Tarot

09

Leisure: Santé & Bon AppéDt

10

Health: Ask Doctor Tushar

11

Art & Soul: ArDst ‐ Pradeep Mahadeshwar

13

Travel: Weekend Getaway ‐ Ellora

14

Party Calendar for July 2010

15

memories of that historic moment on the 2nd of July 2009 will be etched in our minds forever.

Anxiety. AnFcipaFon. JusFce. Disbelief. Relief. Freedom. Euphoria.

CelebraFon. We are wriFng history every single day and we cannot forget those who made all this possible for us.

I came across a beauFful tribute by AzaadBazaar, which says it all...

“Hear7elt thanks to the individuals, government officials, organiza@ons, collec@ves and lawyers who have

TQC. Issue 1. Volume 11. Pune.

worked @relessly for eight years to

Cover artwork: "Jay and Clayton", 1997. 48” X 36”, acrylic on canvas. Copyright Steve Walker.

get us to where we are today. And to Jus@ce A. P. Shah and Jus@ce S.

Used with permission of the arFst www.stevewalkerarFst.com | Editor & publisher: Keith Contributors: Amey Kolhe, Apphia K, Ashok Row Kavi, Jaideep Bhide, Pradeep Mahadeshwar, Ranjeet Kulkarni, Subodh Bodke, Tushar Tayal | Layout concept, design & producFon: Keith

Muralidhar who passed this historic

TQC (The Queer Chronicle) is a monthly e‐magazine published for and by the queer

and progressive ruling.

community in Pune. This e‐zine is a non‐commercial publicaFon, is not for sale and is

Today, we are free.

exclusively for private distribuFon. Views expressed are solely the opinions of the individual

Today, we love.

authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editorial team of TQC, nor its

Today, we exist.”

The Editor

affiliates. The content of this e‐zine may not be suitable for all audiences. www.facebook.com/tqc.india, www.planetromeo.com/tqc_india, TheQueerChronicle@gmail.com

Please print this ezine only if you have to. Help save our planet.

TQC Exclusive : Behind The Rainbow Curtain

TQC - Jul 2010

BY APPHIA K.

Apphia and her friends discuss change,

social gathering and started up a local

to know that they have a support

coming out, LGBT poliDcs, and the

support group. I was as nervous as I’d

network, for them to know inspiring

growth of Pune’s Queer Family.

ever been. ReflecFng on when Pune’s

gay people out there who are proud

With the words ‘Gay’ and ‘Lesbian

first visible support group had its first

about who they are ‐ and have no

splashed across headlines in almost

party, Pradeep reminisces, “Coming

issues about their sexuality, can only be

every newspaper and not really making

together as a community that first Fme

a good thing.”

news, media hysteria at its best in India

was good and it has goien many more

We meet up on an average of once in

has made hiding in a closet isn’t as easy

people to come out of the closet and

two months, someFmes every month.

at it used to be. Everyone now has an

open up.” This was our first step toward

As more people realize that there is a

opinion about ‘the gays’ and has their

coming together as the Queer

safe space created for them, the more

own stereotypes that convince them

Community of Pune City.

of them come together and are even

they know who we are. Back in July

“An effort of this kind made me happy

coming out. In response to the change

2009, when the newspapers in Pune

and slightly sad. It is an effort, that’s

the community in Pune is currently

were franFcally searching for people to

what makes me happy. It makes me sad

undergoing, Pradeep says, “In the past,

go on the record with their opinions on

that most people don’t see that effort

everyone was very closeted. This

the court’s ruling, there were a very

for what it is” says Varun, another

change is a very slow process compared

limited few who were willing to go on

member of the group. “I’m eagerly

to other ciFes, as they are more

record, with their own names. I found

waiFng to see the journey this group

developed with regards to a queer

myself in a group of friends, wanFng to

takes and what it can achieve. It

scene. I am happy that the LGBT

use their voices and not hide behind

definitely is a vital factor in instaFng the

community in Pune has been given a

the rainbow curtain.

sense of community in Pune” he adds.

face lin. I know that each person here,

Coming Together

Very recently introduced to Birds of a

whether gay, lesbian or bisexual, looks

May 2009, a couple of months before

Feather, Ma Faiza says, “ There

forward to aiend community parFes.

the big decision made by the Courts, a

definitely should be more awareness

Their mindset has broadened and it has

liile part of Pune came together to

and more informaFon to everybody.

given them an understanding towards

celebrate diversity and equality on their

We definitely need more community.

the interests of developing as a

own terms. Almost everyone who

Every group of individuals needs to feel

community. Pune being a small city,

showed up at this first gathering

the sense of community, especially for

where everyone knows everyone, many

curiously looked at a girl they had never

gay people. With their family and

people are very shy and not open about

seen before, who had iniFated this

friends, there might be issues. For them

the fact of our existence. Many locals 1

it’s a disease or that its abnormal, I’ll probably voice my point of view. Love is uncondiFonal, but I’m not going to force my views on them. If you are an educated adult and sFll choose to be biased, there isn’t much I can do to change that. The only truth would be that I will never be biased toward you.”

Friends that I’ve invited to march with me at Pride Marches in the country, quesFon the reason for such visible displays. Aner all, isn’t being gay what you do in the bedroom? What was the need to take it to streets?

“We are a community that has been

2

would sFll prefer to explore places that

it does not define us. We are daughters,

trodden upon and hushed up. So

are already have a established gay life,

sons, brothers, sisters, friends,

visibility is important. Whether or not

like in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and

teachers, accountants, lawyers,

people know should not make a

Calcuia. The community we have here,

engineers, musicians, writers, arFsts,

difference to what they think of me. My

gives strength to others who idenFfy

business people, etc.

being gay is just that ‐ being gay. It is

with us. For them to mingle and make

As someone who has always suspected

not who I am, but a part of who I am.

friends is the way that interacFon

that I wasn’t so straight, my cousin,

My idenFty is forged by me, as an

increases. This also leads to the

Daniel adds “It doesn’t really maier to

individual, all factors included ‐ family,

building up of healthy relaFonships.”

me, but I do find it weird because it is

friends, educaFon, work, etc. I’d sooner

Talking about it

different and not exactly common. It

be idenFfied with these factors as with

While it is important to have a network

can seem a bit difficult to accept

my sexuality. Not because I’m ashamed

and a support system in today’s society,

because in our family, especially, it’s

of it, but because it is only a part of

“It definitely needs to be talked about

unheard of. Don’t get me wrong,” he

who I am” reasons Varun.

and felt comfortable with” says Ma

reassures, “it does not bother me. It is

Is coming out really necessary?

Faiza. “The first stage of accepFng who

beier that you're honest. I have

Straight people don’t come out as

you are, is feeling at peace with

accepted it, but obviously there are

heterosexual, why then do we feel it

yourself, your environment and your

always some people who will be less

necessary? A person ‘comes out’ when

family and friends. The support you

understanding.”

they realize that they aren’t the

receive from yourself and from those

Here is an enFre community, standing

‘heteronoramaFve stereotype’ they’re

around you can only nourish you in

firm on the belief in uncondiFonal love.

expected to be. It is a liberaFon ‐ the

dealing with the other things in your

What more could we want in a peaceful

true manifest of the freedom of

life, not just in ‘being gay’. It can

society today? There sFll are a lot of

expression that everyone needs,

someFmes get to a point where being

homophobic people living amongst us.

irrespecFve of their sexual orientaFon.

gay becomes the singular most

People like Baba Ramdev, display their

From within the communes, Ma Faiza

important crusade and I think that, like

ignorance when they make hateful and

adds, “Coming out is one of the single

any crusade, it can (maybe) bring a

uneducated remarks against our

most important things a gay person can

narrow mindedness, even in something

community. Yet, at the Queer Azadi

do. It gives you an inner strength about

like this. Life isn’t all about being gay is

March in 2009, the streets of Mumbai

accepFng who you are. Till you don’t

it?” she adds.

heard over 2000 people shouFng,

come out, you haven’t really accepted

Everyone in the community agrees that

‘Baba Ramdev ko bhi, pyaar do, pyaar

who you are and you carry with you a

being gay is only a part of who we are,

do!’ Varun re‐iterates, “If people think

shame. If you are at peace with who

you are, then you have no problems

IniFally upon coming out, a person will

me, nearby to me. Its quite inspiring.” A

sharing who you are, and you know

go on talking about it, exercising their

regular contributor to the magazine,

that the universe will love you anyway

new found freedom and voice. It can

Parul quips, “It is very liberaFng and is a

because, as you love yourself and you

get annoying to a straight person who

plazorm for women.” Jiah has seen a

accept yourself, so will the universe. It’s

doesn’t get it, or believes that it

c o n s t a n t g r o w t h a n d w o m e n

the first most important stage to a

doesn’t maier. Be sensiFve about the

everywhere are happy that finally a

person who feels that they might want

issue. We are in a slow process of

magazine with substance has arrived.

to experiment with their sexuality,

liberaFon from repression. As a country

Our PoliDcs

discover or even rediscover their

we got Independence 63 years ago, and

The recent demise of Prof. Siras has

sexuality. It is so important to let

we’re sFll celebraFng and talking about

sFrred up emoFons within the LGBT

people know about it so you can

it. “LiberaFon is sFll a huge word in this

community across the country. If

actually feel proud of and accept who

country” says Parul.

someone who has been in the media,

you are much easier, especially in this

Time changes us as a society and as

like he has, could be murdered – what

society.”

families. The more open and honest we

about the closeted lone homosexual in

As someone sFll in the closet, Shruthi

are about talking about who we really

a village, who has no support at all? It

says, “Coming out is a privilege. Those

are, whether feminist, vicFms of abuse,

will take Fme for people to realize that

who have done it are the ones who live

disabled, queer, social acFvists – the

t h i s d e fi n i t e l y a ffe c t s u s a s a

life to the fullest, living true to their

lines of communicaFons should always

community. This is terrorism that we

heartbeat. For me, coming out would

remain open.

face as a community. Even aner the

mean facing my own demons more

Being the Change

judiciary grants us equality, that

than anything else. And frankly, right

With the spurt in visibility of the LGBT

something of this sort can happen is

now, the price of the baile does seem

community, queer friendly businesses

outrageous. Where is that media

too expensive. So, for now, here I am, in

are being started and are geyng more

hysteria now? The city’s youth are sFll

my closet, watching my other brave

visible each day. Pune seems to be the

looking for support, to be able to show

soldiers, and wishing them the best!”

hub of queer publicaFons with online

visible solidarity.

Once you do come out, the rest will

magazines like ‘TQC’ and ‘Jiah: The

The Other Side of the Curtain

follow. ReacFons differ. SomeFmes

magazine for women with heart’.

What is encouraging though, is the

fa m i l y a n d f r i e n d s a r e v i s i b l y

On receiving her first copy of Jiah, Ma

support that we get from our straight

supporFve, and someFmes they will

Faiza reacts, “I think its really important

friends and family. Some of who even

not want us to talk about it in front of

to have something like it. India needs

enjoy themselves at our parFes.

people they know. This is completely

role models, especially of the gay

“Strangely it’s like being on the other

understandable, especially with our

community. The whole world needs

side of the door for once. We are the

parents. We’ve had our whole lives to

role models, not just Pune. I think its

hosts and they, our guests. We're no

get comfortable with the fact that

brilliant. I felt on my own here, and

longer the ‘outsiders’. It’s us welcoming

we’re airacted to people of the same

now I feel like maybe there’s actually

them, as much as them supporFng us”

gender. It is only normal that they need

other people in the community around

finishes Varun.

Fme to accept it. They were brought up in a world a bit more orthodox than ours, by parents much more orthodox than ours. The concept of being open about sexuality, especially homo‐ and bi‐sexuality is new to them. The only

TQC - Jul 2010

way we can help is by being paFent and understanding. Parents don’t always understand everything; a liile help goes a long way.

3

‘QUARANTINE’

BOOK REVIEW BY ASHOK ROW KAVI

Quaran@ne is a bouncer. It leaves you

but going in the other direcFon on the

marsh of existenFal ego‐muck. I was

clean bowled and yet begs for another

crowded road called success.

hungry for the end and yet let down by

ball from the other side. Rahul Mehta

The first story, 'QuaranFne', aptly sets

it. It goes to show that Mehta can be

desperately does for New York what the trend. It’s an acidic etching of three

wicked when he wants to be a queen,

Armistead Maupin did for San Francisco, generaFons trying to finally come to

promising a happy ending and fails to

albeit the defiant dysfuncFonal desi

terms with their lives and ends with the

deliver, on purpose.

way.

son making it amply clear he’s breaking

The best story is ‘A Beier Life’ in which

The book can be done in a maximum of away despite paying obeisance to the

a Gujju boy plays a smart New Yorker

two siyngs and is delighzul reading —

Indian tradiFon. I like the way gay sons

and tries to fool his and his guardian’s

albeit a bit irritaFng because most of

have been accepted as part of the

family on his wasted years. It’s got that

the gay men are highly out of sync with

familial landscape here, with the same

‘gay men trying peek‐a‐boo with family

their ersatz environment, the ever

rights and without a second thought of

and friends Fll he doesn’t know what

present long shadow of the Big Apple

‘what will the relaFves say’ interfering.

he’s up to and yet manages to be

but without its perpetual fizz.

The second story ‘FloaFng’ swings all

endearing in that he doesn’t lose your

For a ciFzen of Bombay, New York is a the way back into small‐town India and

sympathy’ quality about it. I wouldn’t

sister city in every which way — it has pries out the male‐male sex that is

have paFence for such guys in Bombay.

the similar wavelength of on‐the‐edge

rampant there. I liked it because it’s so

But here, strangely, it seems okay and I

energy, totally wicked and wry people

finely craned. You’ll meet hustlers like

quesFon myself ‘Why?’

living for the day and never thinking of

Rajesh all over India, smartly dressed

The important chain link of family is

what might (or might not) happen

and hiding under labels like ‘guide’,

never lost by Mehta. It tugs you back

tomorrow. The book is inhabited by

‘arFst’. In the story, Darnell and his

the moment you feel you’ve lost your

people trying very hard to be successful Indian lover are being chased by all the

way. Like Jewish mothers, the Indian

in a bindaas bare‐ass kind of way.

local guys with their sharp antennae

family is stronger than we know,

However, a small warning. Unlike

long before they even catch on and

however dysfuncFonally deadpan we

Maupin, the stories here don’t all Fe up

discover ‘what’ Rajesh is.

may try to be. There is that underlying

in the end into a karmic knot. They are

Some of the stories are about big losers

truth that Mehta never loses and it’s

like coion strands intertwining into a

like the Indian wannabe writer in ‘Yours’.

sort of assuring in a welcome way.

fine muslin‐like fabric that says the US of Again it’s finely craned to show the A also has Indians now domesFcated 4

tussle between a tugging ambiFon and a

‘Quaran6ne’ by Rahul Mehta is available at www.queer‐ink.com

TQC - Jul 2010

MOVIE REPORT BY AMEY KOLHE Based on true events, the most

He is taken to hospital where he

both English and French, with English

intriguing thing about this film is the

eventually realizes that he is gay and his

subFtles where required.

Ftle; which would lead any curiosity

name is James Brighton.

The young amnesiac who awakes in

seeker to view it based on the sparsity The search is then on to find this man's

Montreal knowing nothing of himself

of reviews and the always intriguing

idenFty since no one has reported him

except that he is gay ‐ the central key to

subject of amnesia ‐ of an American

lost. He is taken in by a gay support

h i s s t o r y, i s e x c e l l e n t l y a n d

man found naked on a park bench in

group who help him find out who James

sympatheFcally acted by Dusan Dukic,

Montreal, who has no idea who is or

Brighton is ‐ which we find out is not

with generally fine performances by the

how he got there! An irresisFble idea for this man. Has he stolen an idenFty or is

6

supporFng players as well.

a film which would appeal to both gay

he really amnesic? And who is the real

The story is a fascinaFng one, sensiFvely

and straight audiences, but the good‐

James Brighton?

posing core philosophical quesFons of

looking amnesiac makes for all the right

Shot mostly on video, the quality is

the meaning of idenFty, the effects on a

stuff for the film fesFval circuit.

quite good, as is the acFng. The film is in

person of suddenly losing it, the rewards

and the risks of regaining it, and above all, the ways in which its loss affects one's relaFonships with others, present and past, and with oneself.

The grit of the film lies not so much in the storyline (that becomes fragmented at regular intervals due to the moments of memory return the main character experiences), but instead in the manner in which our amnesiac struggles to find his idenFty, a family, and a sense of belonging.

Through the help of social workers, detecFves, a gay hotline service, and the media the 'true' idenFty is slowly unveiled, but not without some serious setbacks ‐ onen presented to us as flashback bits and pieces as to who our amnesiac may be.

Here is what we heard from you, on TQC’s June 2010 edi6on.

“I loved the story by Rohit Pramar. I am sure most of us are so pissed of at

The film's primary shortcomings are occasionally awkward transiFons that can leave the viewer confused, and supporFng characters who are too onen underdeveloped or ill‐explained and who arrive and disappear from the story with frustraFng rapidity.

Nevertheless "Amnesia" is a fine film, both entertaining and thought‐ provoking.

DuraFon: 90 minutes Language: English & French Release: 2005

Cheers!”

The Editor: Hey Aditya. Thanks for

specifically caters to LGBT audiences

Rohit’s courage and head‐on defense!

More power to him and everyone else who’s out at work!” – Sagar, Pune

in your part of the country and we respect their efforts, TQC would not come into Kolkata. We would love you to conFnue to remain a fan of TQC, though ;)

“[TQC] looks like a great [Facebook] page! Obviously, I am a supporter of what you do and I know others who are.” ‐ David Hardy, USA “TQC is one of the most visually appealing magazines I have come across.” ‐ Aditya, Bangalore “This is the first Fme in my life that I have read a gay magazine. And I can hardly believe it from India. TQC is really really amazing.” ‐ Ram,

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Pondicherry

We would love to hear from you.

Your feedback would only help us

“Great work TQC team. Another awesome issue...keep it up.” ‐ Ajay, Mumbai “I checked out the ezine. Great

Amnesia was one of the films screened

presentaFon.” ‐ Rovan, Mumbai

Mumbai Interna@onal Film Fes@val’.

well. Will be awaiDng your reply.

silent about it. But honestly I admire

Country: Canada

at the recently concluded ‘Kashish:

with something similar for Kolkata as

However, as Gaylaxy Magazine

up Ranjeet!” – Prasad, Mumbai

consistently hold the viewer's interest.

helpful if you guys could come up

be such a pain, and one tends to keep

afflict stories of this sort, emphasizing

comprise most of the plot and

gays as well. It would be really

something for other ciFes too.

is going to be a useful arFcle. Keep it

everyone has aiempFng to unravel it

someone is thinking about Indian

your message. We would love to do

clichés and psycho‐babble that can

man lost his memory? The difficulFes

Aditya, Kolkata: “Great job! Finally

about you at work, that working can

“Amazing issue and ‘The Pink Rupee’

of the tale: how and why has this young

Dear Editor,

peoples' reacFons when they know

The screenplay successfully avoids the

instead the mystery that is at the heart

TQC - Jul 2010

Readers’ Corner

improve. Please email us at TheQueerChronicle@gmail.com ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

T h e TQ C Ed i to r i a l d e s k i s accepDng arDcle contribuDons for the August 2010 issue. The deadline is July 15, 2010.

7

The Pink Rupee

BY RANJEET KULKARNI

8

My profession requires me to travel a

agree with you yaar, it is so important

place in 2008, my friend would not only

lot…and travel a lot to places where I

to save yaar…that is why I have put Rs 1

lose his returns but would risk his

might not find easy access to ATMs.

lakh in mutual funds.”

enFre principal amount of Rs 1 lakh.

Consequently, I’m loaded with cash

I was like ‐ “Wow! That’s great! What

The investment opFons available in

whenever I’m traveling for work.

mutual fund? And what about the rest

India are mulFple. It’s like a “planet

Now the one golden rule that Mommy

of your savings?”

romeo” of money; plus at the end of

dearest has always taught me, is to

He went on to say “What rest?

the day you can actually get to take

keep your money at least two different

Whatever I had, I put it into mutual

home something…like for real! So….

places ‐ some in your wallet, some in

funds. And I don’t know, which mutual

There’s NaFonal Saving CerFficate

your jeans, some in your handbag and

funds yaar. But lemme tell you dude, a

(NSC), Postal Deposits, Public Provident

maybe some in your check‐in luggage

savings account will give you 4%

Fund, Fixed Deposits, Mutual Funds,

( a l t h o u g h t h a t ’s n o t s t r i c t l y

interest and aner tax, it will come to

Equity Markets, Real Estate …phew!

recommended), so that if one of these

peanuts. Mutual funds will give you

Each investment opFon has its own

goes missing (yeah yeah, I’ve heard this

40% returns. I wanna get rich yaar ….

range of returns and risk magnitudes.

story about a person whose jeans went

mutual funds it is!”

Higher the risk of the investment

missing at a Delhi farmhouse party, but

My friend was right on one count and

opFon, the higher are the returns.

never mind that!), you have another

wrong on three. He was right about the

The idea is to invest in either/or/all of

cache to count on.

fact that mutual funds, if invested

them based on your individual needs,

Food for thought ‐ What if we follow

wisely in, would indeed give you beier

goals and risk appeFte but the

the same principle for our investments?

returns than your savings. You see I

important thing to remember is to

In our last ediFon of The Pink Rupee,

have used the word “wisely”. My friend

DIVERSIFY! Needs can be as basic as

we all realized the importance of saving

did not know what mutual funds he

buying a car or as advanced as

and invesFng so as to balance our

had invested in. And the worst part was

construcFng your own house or taking

needs, luxuries and risks. Aner reading

that he had invested his ENTIRE savings

a world tour. The goal is to have an x

the previous column, a friend came up

in mutual funds. In case of a stock

amount of money with you before you

to me and said “Ranjeet, I completely

market collapse, which recently took

reFre....... Con@nued on Page 12

TQC - Jul 2010

Life & Tarot

BY JAIDEEP BHIDE “I am a doctor and have started my

opportuniFes outside Pune that suit

pracDce in Pune about 8 months back.

But I find that the profession is

your requirements, take them! Keep your focus on the long term and act

unethical and feel disillusioned.

accordingly. All the best!

Hence, I have not established contacts in my peer group nor have I secured

The Gist of the Reading: Great poten@al for Success. Don’t get trapped in the

any big hospital contracts. While I have been receiving job offers, they

Comfort Zone.

are all outside Pune and I really don’t

“I am working in an IT MNC as a

want to shif base. However, I am in a fix as I am in dire financial straits.

Business Analyst. Lately, I have been feeling unsehled and depressed. I

What should I do? Please help!”

Name: Doc

need a change of job or locaDon to revive myself but I can’t find either.

Date of Birth: Withheld on request

My transfer requests have been

JB: The Reading ‐ It is heartening to see that some doctors sFll take the

denied by my employer. Plus, those I was emoDonally dependent upon have

HippocraFc Oath seriously and who are as troubled by the pracFces of Big

been transferred out of this locaDon. I feel emoDonally shahered and

Medicine as the rest of us. You are a

despondent. Please help me: what is

rare breed indeed! However, as a professional who has invested a lot of

the outlook for my future?”

Name: M

Fme and money in geyng where he is today, you need to find a balance

Date of Birth: Withheld on request JB: The Reading ‐ Dear M, hang in

b et we e n yo u r i d e a l s a n d yo u r

there! You are in a phase of Life that

ambiFons.

The present state of affairs will

almost everyone goes through at some point or another – you may want the

conFnue if you don’t change the way you are doing things. You have an

gears to shin faster but someFmes, life just decides to slow down a bit.

immense potenFal for success but for

The reason for this is that your Karma

this to manifest, you will have to bite the bullet and get out of your comfort

with your present employer and locaFon is running out. Hoping that

zone. Don’t get trapped in it!

The need of the hour is a shin in

things will work out in your favor in your current job is a waste of Fme. Take

aytudes and behavior. ConnecFons are

charge, and start looking out for a new

good, connecFons help. Don’t shy away from them. Face the world with

job. Change, Movement, Progress – all these are very strongly indicated in the

confidence. The next 2 years will determine the course of the rest of

cards. Update your CV and aggressively circulate it.

your life. The road ahead won’t always

You should find what you are looking

be pleasant and easy. You will have to make sacrifices; you will have to put in

for within the next 6 to 7 months.

Things will improve once you move out.

the long hours. But in the end, all this will pay off.

Special Advice: While you look for a new job, don’t lose your focus in your

Get aiached to big hospitals. You can

current job. Lay low, do your job well

be part of the system without falling p r e y t o i t . A l s o, i f t h e r e a r e

and don’t let your work suffer.

Email us at thequeerchronicle@gmail.com

9

Santé

And Bon Appétit

BY CHEF SUBODH BODKE

A series in Cocktail recipes to help you unwind.

BRANDY SOUR The Brandy Sour is a mixed alcoholic cocktail that has been cited as the naFonal drink of Cyprus. The cocktail was developed at the Forest Park Hotel, in a Cypriot hill‐resort for the young King Farouk of Egypt who onen stayed at the hotel during his frequent visits to the island. The Brandy Sour was ingeniously introduced as an

C i la nt ro Li m e Sh ri m p K eb ab s 3 tablespoons sesame/olive oil 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest 3 tablespoons lime juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 12 raw shrimps (8-12 per pou nd), peeled and deveined 3 jalapeño peppers, stemme d, seeded and quartered lengthwise

way of disguising the monarch's

2 plums, pitted and cut into sixt

Ingredients 2‐1/2 oz Brandy 1 oz Lemon Juice ‐ freshly squeezed 1/2 tsp Sugar / Bar Sugar Method

h

Method Whisk oil, cilantro, lime zest, lime juice and salt in a large bowl. Set asid e3 tablespoons of the mixture in a small bowl to use as dressing. Add shrimp, jalapeños and plums to the remaining mar inade; toss to coat. Preheat oven grill to medium-high.

Shake the brandy, lemon juice and sugar well with cracked ice. Strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

w it h S t r a w b e r r ie s ce C h o c o la t e S a u Ingredients

s sizes strawberrie 16 to 20 medium 1-2 tbsp butter rk chocolate 150 gm milk or da

Method

the strawberries.

Wash and pat dry ge m slice from a lar Cut a vertical botto . se ba a e ak to m sized strawberry h rries four layers hig be Heap the straw er ew sk en od with wo and adjust them more Do the same for 3 p. to m fro pierced servings tter & ed pan melt the bu In a thick bottom till ly ocolate. Stir gent add the grated ch r. tte nds into the bu the chocolate ble er the ocolate sauce ov Pour the sinful ch ies et about the calor strawberries. Forg and indulge!

10

gourmet home entertainer.

Ingredients

alcoholic subsFtute for iced tea, as a preference for Western‐style cocktails.

A series of palate tickling delectables for the time-pressed

Make 4 kebabs, alternating shri mp, jalapeños and plums evenly amo ng four 10-inch skewers. (Discard the marinade.)

Grill the kebabs, turning once, until the shrimps are cooked through about 8 minutes total. Drizzle with the reserved dressing. Baby tomatoes can be used instead of plums. This deliciou s recipe makes 4 servings of kebabs.

Ask Doctor Tushar “Please advise whether taking a

“Of late I have noDced that I don’t feel

protein supplement like whey protein

hungry at all and my stomach feels

for body building is safe? If not what

queasy very ofen. Can u suggest

are the side effects of the same?” –

anything for the same. Is it because of

Sumit

eaDng out, way too much?” ‐ JB

Dr Tushar: Sumit, brightly colored cans

Dr Tushar: Dear JB, irregular bowels

of whey protein, stacked on top of each

with decreased appeFte is one of the

other make for a really tempFng sight

most common complaints nowadays,

don’t they? More so, since your gym

and has more to do with irregular

partner is bulging like crazy (no pun

eaFng habits. And I agree , there’s no

intended) and you can’t seem to gain

beaFng the taste of that scrumpFous

an ounce. What are you waiFng for

looking “triple schezwan rice’’ at your

dude? Just guzzle down that tall shake

nukkadwala Chinese tapri, but therein

of whey protein. Yes, whey protein is

lies the root of the problem. Food

definitely safe for consumpFon. Whey

cooked at these places is unhygienic,

proteins are an easily digesFble form of

the vegetables are rarely washed

proteins containing essenFal amino

adequately, neither is the meat. This

acids, derived from milk; the added

leads to worm infestaFon of the

advantage is that unlike milk, whey

intesFnes; and it is not that the

protein is free of fat and lactose. Whey

vegetarians are spared. Inadequately

purportedly contains more proteins

washed vegetables, even in home

than eggs, plus whey is also known to

cooked food can lead to the same,

have anFoxidant effects. The prime

leading to your afore menFoned

advantage of whey is that aner

symptoms. I would suggest, have fixed

ingesFon, since it is an already simpler

m e a l F m i n g s , e a t a t ‘ p r o p e r ’

form of protein, it is absorbed in the

restaurants if dining out, wash your

body is much faster. Hence faster

fruits and veggies thoroughly, and ask

results. Whey protein may also be

your local ‘Chinaman’ NOT to use Aji‐

taken by people opFng for a healthier

no‐moto (aka MSG), as it is a

lifestyle, not necessarily involving

carcinogenic agent. I also recommend

gymming. Whey is available in three

that you chew a 400 mg tablet of

forms: concentrate, isolate and

Albendazole (trade name ‘Zental’)

hydrolysate ‐ hydrolysate being the best

followed by a glass of water first thing

(hence the most expensive), followed

tonight. I strongly advise every reader

by isolate and then concentrate. There

to repeat this treatment at least once

are no proven side effects of whey, but

every six months. I also suggest a

excess consumpFon over a prolonged

teaspoon of isabgol powder (like

period may lead to liver damage.

‘Fabolite’, which comes in a more

Remember, moderaFon is the key. Let

palatable orange flavor) with with a

whey supplement your diet, not the

glass of water at bed Fme.

other way round.

11

Pink Rupee ‐ Con@nued from Pg 8 ....Or start that entrepreneurial venture in the next ‘n’ years.

Risk appeFte is the amount of loss of money you can digest in case of a bad investment decision. The art is to take calculated risks and make opFmum amount of money with informed d e c i s i o n m a k i n g a b o u t y o u r investments. And we can achieve all this with the principle of diversificaFon. So basically, if you have a chunk of money to invest, go for a porzolio which covers opFons right from the least risk investments like a fixed deposit in a naFonalized bank, to the highest risk investment such as shares.

If you are invesFng in fixed deposits, invest in more than one bank and make mulFple fixed deposits. If you are invesFng in mutual funds, go for more than one fund house, for different schemes (based on your needs again) .

If you choose the stock market, make sure you have different sectors covered in your porzolio. This way, if one bank/ fund house/sector fails, you can make g o o d t h e l o s s e s t h ro u g h y o u r

TEMPLE TREE & CONTEMPORARY ARTS AND CRAFTS

alternaFve investments.

As Michael Jackson puts it not so subtly.

“Money.

Money…

Lie for it Spy for it Kill for it Die for it..”

And I say, avoid all that and just invest wisely. Be versaFle…err…I mean diversify. UnFl next Fme folks!

Ground Floor, Nirvana, North Avenue, Kalyani Nagar, Pune, INDIA

Disclaimer: The financial content in ‘The Pink Rupee’ is provided for your personal informa@on only, is not intended for trading purposes, and cannot subs@tute for professional financial advice. Always seek advice of a competent financial advisor with any ques@ons you may have regarding a financial maeer. The informa@on is not appropriate for the purposes of making a decision to carry out a transac@on or trade nor does it provide any form of advice (investment, tax, or legal) amoun@ng to investment advice, or make any recommenda@ons regarding par@cular financial instruments, investments, or products.

Art & Soul COMPILED BY KEITH TQC is commihed to encouraging and promoDng the creaDvity of queer & queer‐ friendly talent.

Pradeep Mahadeshwar, the featured arFst, has pledged that 15% of the proceeds on sale of this artwork through TQC, would be donated to ‘Voices Against 377’, a coaliFon of NGOs and progressive groups working together as a united voice to fight against ArFcle 377 of the Indian Penal Code. www.voicesagainst377.org If you would like to purchase this work of art and would like to connect with the arFst, email us at TheQueerChronicle@gmail.com

Title: PL ATFORM Series : Winter Medium in Lond ArDst: P on : Mix m radeep edia ‐ D print o Mahad Year: 20 igital n eshwar canva 10 s , painted then h Size: 16 and and p inches x arDally printed 26 inch Price fo s c reen . es r the ar MounD t: INR 6 n ,000/‐ g: Fram ed

Doctor in da house DR. ARINDAM BASU, MD (Medicine) - Physician & Intensivist Director, TeamIntensiveTM is available for medical consultations and counseling.

When: Monday through Saturday

TQC - Jul 2010

Where: Shree Hospital (Shastri Nagar / Kalyani Nagar junction on Main Nagar Road), Pune Time: 10.30 am to 1.30 pm A safe space and privacy guaranteed!

Please call on +91.9890226748 for prior appointments.

13

Weekend Getaway: Ellora

BY KEITH

14

Ellora, an archaeological site 30 km from

C a v e 1 0 , i s l o c a l l y k n o w n a s

characterized by intricate detailing.

the city of Aurangabad, is well known

Vishvakarma. This cave contains a stupa

Many of the structures had rich

for the UNESCO World Heritage Site –

on the face of which a colossal 3.30 m

painFngs in the ceilings – fragments of

the monumental Ellora Caves.

high seated Buddha. The hall has a

which are sFll visible.

Ellora is of the finest examples of

vaulted roof with ribs have been carved

Best Dme to visit: The city experiences

rockcut caves in India and it is meeFng‐

in the rock imitaFng the wooden ones.

extreme climate; hot summers and cold

point of the Buddhist, Jain and Hindu

Cave 16, the renowned Kailasa Temple

winters. The tourist season extends right

religions. There are 34 caves in total ‐ 12

dedicated to Lord Shiva, is probably the

through the year but the best Fme to

Buddhist (600‐800 AD), 17 Hindu (900

largest monolith in the world and is said

visit is August through February.

AD) and 5 Jain (800‐100 AD) excavated

to have taken 7,000 laborers, working in

Gepng there: The closest airport is in

out of the verFcal face of the

conFnuous shins, 15 years to build.

Aurangabad. The city is also well

Charanandri hills. These Buddhist, Hindu

Lavishly carved and sculpted from a

connected by road to Mumbai (392 km),

and Jain rock cut temples and

single rock, it bears tesFmony to the

Nasik (221 km) and Pune (299 km).

monasteries, built in proximity,

excellence of Dravidian art.

Places to stay: There are numerous

demonstrate the religious harmony

Cave 32 popularly known as ‘Indra

hotels located within the city of

prevalent during this period of Indian

Sabha’ (the assembly hall of Indra)

Aurangabad, which include Rama

history.

belongs to the Jain group of caves and

InternaFonal, Taj Aurangabad, Ajanta

I recommend at least a full day at the

the shrine contains the seated Mahavir,

Ambassador and Lemon Tree.

caves, to absorb and appreciate the

last of the 24 Frthankars and founder of

Food: If you are adventurous enough,

beauty, intricacy and splendor. However

Jainism. The lotus design details on the

the by lanes of the old city offer a

if you have other ‘sites to see and things

columns are the finest examples of this

unique treat in tradiFonal Mughali

to do’ and are hard pressed for Fme, the

cransmanship in the Ellora complex.

cuisine and street‐food.

absolute ‘must‐sees’ within the

There are numerous other caves within

Shopping: Woven Himroo shawls,

complex, are Cave 10 (Vishwakarma),

the complex that depict the tradiFon

Mashru and Kimkhab weaves, Paithani

Cave 16 (Kailash Temple) & Cave 32

and philosophy of the Buddhist and Jain

saris, Bidri objects and jewelry made

(Indra Sabha).

art and architecture. The Jain caves are

from semi‐precious stones.

Party Calendar For July 2010 July 2, 2010 - Friday

July 24, 2010 - Saturday

FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF DELHI HIGH PINK NATION PARTY COURT JUDGEMENT

By Pink NaFon, MulF‐city

By GayBombay (GB), Mumbai www.thepinknaFon.com www.gaybombay.org

July 27, 2010 - Tuesday

July 3, 2010 - Saturday PINK NATION PARTY

PEGS‐N‐PINTS PARTY

By Club Pegs‐n‐Pints, Delhi

By Pink NaFon, MulF‐city www.thepinknaFon.com

July 31, 2010 - Saturday PINK NATION PARTY

July 6, 2010 - Tuesday PEGS‐N‐PINTS PARTY

By Pink NaFon, MulF‐city www.thepinknaFon.com

By Club Pegs‐n‐Pints, Delhi

SHAKERS‐N‐SWINGERS

By WhiteNights Fiesta, Mumbai

July 10, 2010 - Saturday

www.planetromeo.com/WhiteNights‐

WET AND WILD MONSOON FEST Fiesta 2010

By Bombay Masala, Mumbai hip://www.facebook.com/group.php? gid=72270194982

BACK‐2‐SCHOOL

By WhiteNights Fiesta, Mumbai www.planetromeo.com/WhiteNights‐ Fiesta PINK NATION PARTY

By Pink NaFon, MulF‐city www.thepinknaFon.com July 13, 2010 - Tuesday PEGS‐N‐PINTS PARTY

By Club Pegs‐n‐Pints, Delhi July 17, 2010 - Saturday PINK NATION PARTY

By Pink NaFon, MulF‐city www.thepinknaFon.com

If you are organizing a party for the community in the month of August and would like to have this listed, please send an email with details to TheQueerChronicle@gmail.com by July 27, 2010.

Disclaimer: TQC does not vouch for the authenFcity of the organizers, the quality of the event, nor guarantees the security of guests at any of the listed

July 20, 2010 - Tuesday

events. We suggest that you do a

PEGS‐N‐PINTS PARTY

thorough background reference check

By Club Pegs‐n‐Pints, Delhi

and exercise cauFon at all Fmes.

15

TQC - Jul 2010