I am forced to share something very similar that happened to me. I started to smoke as early as when I was 14, long before I realised RP would cause blindness to me. However, smoking wasn't something I could immediately get rid of and I found it to be the best way to bond with everyone especially with those of my age group who are quite fine with it. But I started to realise people -especially those who unnecessarily placed me on a higher pedestal thanks to my blindness- did judge me on the basis of that one habit. Those who spoke with me well refused to say hello after seeing me smoke. Ironically, a large number of them are smokers themselves (so much for Indian culture).
Subramani -----Original Message----- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Asudani, Rajesh Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 11:26 AM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] query from thahir Well, responding to my point about Indians shunning to describe even the essentials, you were found to dwell on cultural issues, so you say. So, may I construe your stand in this matter of superiority of Indian culture over western to imply that such omissions are justified? So curious!!! And Shadab you have also wrote: "But the one thing I am certain of is that pornography, from the standpoint of psychology, is wrong - not to talk about need. Haven't you studied it in your course?" So, Psychology is far from a precise natural science as you seem to imply by demanding a clear statement about pornography being wrong. Pornography may be harmful in some instances as it may encourage irresponsible or nonconsensual sex, but more often than not, it serves as bulwark against such activities by permitting a momentary ventilation to temporary passions without taking them out on unwilling and often unknowing persons. Hardly few rapists are active readers of pornography. And I still am at a loss to comprehend as to why the visual inability of a person should deprive him/her of all aspects of life. It is tantamount to saying, as many people say, that the blind should only recite bhajans and not romantic songs or even the sad songs for that matter. Hence, If the moderator, without determining the questions of culture/morals or blindness being a compulsion to be good/harmless, decides that the focus of this list does not permit giving out sites dealing with accessible pornographic material, then let it be so, but please do not harp on superiority of Indian or any other culture, or moral values of sexual forbearance, or blind being under an obligation to be saintly or asexual for that matter. I vividly remember an instance in my school life when four of my schoolmates were involved in fornication (termed forced sex) later, a question was raised in Maharashtra legislative assembly, as to how these foursome got into a theater and then into a lodge despite their blindness and committed the act??? Though remorseful about the event, we nonetheless regarded it as step towards integration and were more outraged at the stupid MLAs who truly reflected constricted mindset of society at large. And for those who are interested, the site http://the-clitoris.com is a beautiful and accessible site on feminine sexuality, and not clearly pornographic as it seems to be defined here. Regards Rajesh Regards Rajesh -----Original Message----- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Shadab Husain Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 9:44 AM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] query from thahir Rajesh sir: "Otherwise, so prudish are we the Indians, that even video described movies like Black, we shun to describe scenes involving expressions of love, kissing, for instance, even though such scenes form the essence of the movie and are inextricably linked to its theme." I never intended to indulge into discussion of cultural or moral values, but responding to this, I was bound to. Well, respecting the consensus and logic, I feel that now we must stop discussing this topic. Easy tips of improving English at http://shadablucknow.blogspot.com/ My contributions to the press http://shadablucknow.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-contributions-to-press.html #link Many posts on one page http://shadablucknow.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00% 3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=47 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mahesh Panicker" <maheshspanic...@gmail.com> To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 12:21 AM Subject: Re: [AI] query from thahir a highly controversial question indeed. as expected there are people with different views on the matter. I believe the question as such does come broadly under issues of accessibility. I can understand the arguements against this on the basis of too much of things for the list to handil and therefor the possibility of losing focus. but culture, Indian culture, well that is all together a different issue. ones morality, values are all shaped in the context in which one is brought up. that is different for different people. but the moment one says that his or her values are higher than that of some one else, then that is big trouble. in fact, that is the language of fascism. I certainly don't think access India is the forum for moral policing by any means. anybody have the freedom to access or not access pornographic materials, but I believe any questions on the matter should not be restricted on the basis of a culture based arguement, as that might end up supporting those elemends in the society, who are against tolerence and inclusivity. olso one must remember in this context, 'Kamasutra' was not authered by an American or a Europian, but by Vatsyayana, the great Indian sage. so on the basis of focus OK, but please, not that cultural thing. On 3/13/09, harish <har...@accessindia.org.in> wrote: > > Hi all > Yes, there are 2 groups on yahoogroups which may allow discussion of > romance and sexuality. > > Regarding outright porn talk, you may have to seek clarification from the > respective moderator. > The 2 lists which I am refering are: > 1 dreamromance > 2 sayeverything > > There would be more lists internationally and one can make a search on > Yahoogroups orat google. > . > > > I have followed the points from other members both for and against. > > However, I am not convinced why should AccessIndia take it up when there > are other active groups catering to this requirement or so called need. > > Delibrate folks, rationally and don't get personal. I opened this thread > for healthy discussion and not to settle scores. > > Harish > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "mahendra" <gal...@chello.at> > To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> > Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 1:57 PM > Subject: Re: [AI] query from thahir > > > i am glad, we can talk on this matter, i fully support Rajesh's view. >> Harish are there such email groups? if yes, please Harish or members >> share >> them. >> At 07:54 AM 3/13/2009, you wrote: >> >>> Dear Rajesh and others >>> >>> Do appreciate the points raised, However, let us have the group focused >>> and on rails. >>> >>> Besides there are groups especially catering this requirement. So, let >>> us >>> not tred on their shoes. >>> >>> I am opening the thread for inputs from all quarters. >>> >>> Harish. >>> >>> Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:57:06 +0530 >>> From: "Asudani, Rajesh" <rajeshasud...@rbi.org.in> >>> Subject: Re: [AI] query from thahir >>> Well, I think being a member of this group for so many years, I do have >>> a >>> certain right to say something on this matter, despite the closure of >>> threat. >>> I think the question does relate to accessibility and internet for >>> visually impaired, and as such, may be legitimately construed to be >>> within >>> bounds of the group, but for the fact that pornography or any sexually >>> colored material is illegal in India and so the group may not discuss >>> anything illegal. >>> However, please remember that law does change with mores of society and >>> what is a taboo today is a common sense of tomorrow. >>> Moreover, binding accessibility to legality is unfair, me thinks. >>> Sight does not regard the bounds of legality or otherwise. >>> Life with its joys and enchantments ought to be equally available to >>> all, >>> is the hallmark of accessibility. >>> And Shadab, the ones whom you have, without any moderatorial >>> jurisdiction, publicly termed raunchy, are the respected members of >>> community, working and teaching in reputed institutions. >>> A person does not become antisocial merely by recognizing inherent needs >>> of all human kind. >>> rather it is undu suppression and repression of the same which renders >>> humans brute many a times. >>> Only objection to the query in the message is manifest illegality of the >>> pornography in India, but the effort about universality of accessibility >>> is >>> commendable. >>> On this note, I would like to share that the movie Dev D is said to >>> have >>> bypassed censors by substituting sexually explicit scenes with dialogue >>> which is less appealing to sight but more appealing I think to listeners >>> like us. Maybe, the director, though not consciously thinking about >>> accessibility, has achieved the aim partially at least. >>> I intend to watch it shortly and call upon all the visually impaired to >>> do so to get an experience. of the movie. Otherwise, so prudish are we >>> the >>> Indians, that even video described movies like Black, we shun to >>> describe >>> scenes involving expressions of love, kissing, for instance, even though >>> such scenes form the essence of the movie and are inextricably linked to >>> its >>> theme. >>> As a result, we the visually impaired, are far lagging behind in >>> comprehending the social life about us. >>> I do recall an instance where I myself, even though I was past the age >>> of >>> sweet twenty and two, instinctively rubbed my hands clean when kissed >>> good >>> night by an interested and interesting friend of mine some decade and a >>> half >>> ago. >>> Let us cast away our artificial reserve and strive for accessibility in >>> all fields. >>> Life, by default is sharply constricted due to any disability, let us >>> not >>> constrict it further by man made objections. >>> Yes, if the group is strictly confined by legality of the matters to be >>> discussed or otherwise, then I think we must adhere by guidelines and >>> discuss such vital issues in private or on other fora. >>> Regards >>> >>> Rajesh >>> >>> >>> >>> ________________________________ >>> Notice: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential >>> and >>> intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are >>> addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, >>> use, >>> review, distribution, printing or copying of the information contained >>> in >>> this e-mail message and/or attachments to it are strictly prohibited. If >>> you >>> have received this email by error, please notify us by return e-mail or >>> telephone and immediately and permanently delete the message and any >>> attachments. The recipient should check this email and any attachments >>> for >>> the presence of viruses. The Bank accepts no liability for any damage >>> caused >>> by any virus transmitted by this email. >>> >>> >>> To unsubscribe send a message to >>> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.inwith the subject unsubscribe. >>> >>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >>> please visit the list home page at >>> >>> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.i n >>> >> >> with warm regards >> Mahendra Galani >> window's live ID mahendragal...@hotmail.com skype ID chintu3886 >> phone +4314943149 mobile +4369910366055, >> address Herbst strasse 101.16.1 Vienna Austria Europe >> >> --------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> >> >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to >> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.inwith the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please visit the list home page at >> >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.i n >> >> > > > > > To unsubscribe send a message to > accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.inwith the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, > please visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.i n > -- Mahesh S. 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