The Unconscious Perspective

I lost my friend in December 2020. He had died sometime in early April, but except only for his immediate family, none of his friends knew about his demise. It is only in December, being fed-up because of his long silence that a few of us common friends decided to find out his whereabouts. All we received was a gist of the news from a school friend. The tragedy in it is that he died in anonymity and alone. He chose to die away from his family and friends. He chose to look for peace and dignity in death, but at a place away from home. I can only reason that he must have been in unfathomable pain to have taken this decision.  He had turned 37 in 2020. He was a good man, a cheerful son, a supportive brother, a loving husband, a doting father himself to his 3-year old son, and a wonderful friend. Everyone loved him for his sweet, easygoing and polite nature. When he became indifferent after his marriage, we friends unanimously admitted that he was trying to settle down in his new respo...

The United Nations defines and relatably explains Domestic Violence as - “a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together or dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.” I recently read articles revealing a rise in Domestic Violence cases around the world, ever since the COVID-19 related lockdown began. One article stated that, “About 86% of women who experienced violence never sought help, and 77% of the victims did not even...

I was 13 when I saw a group of Hijras for the 1st time. It was my uncle’s wedding and they had come over to bless the new couple, in the morning after the ceremony. They were loud! In the way they dressed. In the way they spoke. In the way they sang in their off tune nasal voice. They sang and clapped while dancing - a combination of totally unnecessary actions, I thought, considering they weren’t even invited to the event. The guests still present at the house quickly dispersed when the Hijras asked for money in return to blessing the couple. I was surprised how instantaneously even the friends scattered, leaving my helplessly irritated uncle amidst the slow strategically surrounding Hijras. The elders all around were either uninterested or felt disobliged to answer me, who was going around in a loop asking ‘Who are they?’, ‘Why have they come?’, ‘Is he a she?’, ‘Why is he dressed like a woman?’ Some told me to be quiet and to not ask such inappropriate questions. Some directed me wi...

I came across an article a few days back about Zomato - an Indian restaurant aggregator and food delivery startup - introducing 'Period Leaves' for its female employees (including Transgender people) and making it a part of their HR policies. I was happy to see the company acknowledging the existence and problems faced by one half of the society - the women - who are mostly either neglected, taken for granted or considered unequal to the other half - the men - by the general society. I congratulate Zomato for taking this progressive step. I can only wish that more companies make Period Leaves a part of their work culture. But what caught my attention and intrigue more, was the blow up about this initiative on LinkedIn, when a user posted and appreciated it. The reason for the eruption were some questions a friend of mine asked on the post, looking for some undeniable answers. He questioned (paraphrased): How honestly will these leaves be used? On other days will the same femal...