The parents of a dead Dalit infant in a remote Uttar Pradesh village donated his eyes, making him the youngest such donor in the country reads Hindustan Times. Further it says,
The Dalit couple was overcome with grief, but at the insistence of Satyapal’s elder brother Harpal, 30, they immediately got in touch with Dr Ashok Jain and his wife Kusum, who run the Roshni Eye Bank in Saharanpur, about 100 km away.
“It was a difficult moment for us but we decided to keep our son alive by donating his eyes,” said Meenakshi, who had studied up to Class 10.
Apprehending controversy and opposition from other villagers, the family requested Dr Jain to remove Lucky’s corneas before daybreak.
In doing so, they not only gifted vision to an eight-year-old girl and a 55-year-old man, but also helped break several centuries-old social taboos.
In caste-conscious UP, Dalit organ donors are still a rarity. Then, there is a widespread belief among villagers that cornea donors are born blind in their next birth.
Man, I am moved. I wish I was a Dalit. As an Indian I think such instances must be recognised and upheld. I am glad Hindustan Times made this their front page story this Sunday.
Micheal Jackson goes with a white skin
As a child I was always excited at the prospect of listening to the great MJ. I remember looking at his picture on the cassette cover and hearing him play on my tape recorder in the early eighties. For me, he looked a shade darker version of us Indians. I am not sure if it was a dark man singing an English song that attracted me or just his impact-full voice. Now I know, perhaps, it had do with his voice. But nevertheless his colour too made an effect on me. Remember I said I was just a child. Then came this song about the equality of blacks and whites by him. I was disappointed. The sound came from from a mouth that belonged to a white skin. Was he upset being a black. Off course he was. Now I know. But hey brother, it would have been a lot more better if you had done a re-graft and left us in your original colour. Whether someone likes it or not, I must say let's be proud of what we are. In colour, in caste, in race and in language. Phew! I am sorry if my getting overboard has disturbed anyone.
On another note, this editorial in the New York times by VERLYN KLINKENBORG is a good read.
Post card from Amsterdam by a blog friend
My blog friend, who goes by the name J, is taking a road trip in Europe with friends. No no, I am not with him. I wish I did, though. Okay, he has posted a beautiful first hand account from Amsterdam. He concludes by saying... And then someone shouted… dude, where the hell is the red light district. And someone else said, we can still do it, we are still in Amsterdam aren’t we? as we stopped for a quick break in Antwerp. No questions asked, the last I remember was giving directions to my home, my mouth filled with dark chocolate.
I must say the trip wasn’t 100% successful, but I got my wish though… to sit in a coffee shop in the Dam caring two hoots about the world. Not-so-perfect getaway, but perfect in it’s own way. Next destination, Budapest in two weeks ;) Click here to read the full account.
7 comments:
I consier him as a freak but I dont have talent or ability or an art (hence music) has anything to do with genes.
Music like any art form is universal.Music and dance are perhaps the most potent tool to cut boundaries.
I think we can sit back and remember his contribution to music and dance and not judge his personal aspect of life.
Yes, and he did cut boundaries, didn't he? It is the whole colour this that got me thinking. I was just being honest. But I agree with you totally. His contribution is indeed immeasurable.
Thanks for dropping by pal.
RIP MJ
**The sound came from from a mouth that belonged to a white skin. Was he upset being a black
I dun agree Kulz. MJ didnt change his skin color cos he was ashamed of being black. He was partly injured while doing a Pepsi ad, then he had skin grafts done on him for the damage, and then he also stated that he had Vitiligo...an immune system disease that causes loss of pigmentation.
Having said that, I'd never judge a person on his personal preferences or his personal life, knowing that I myself hv my own set of preferences, which Im sure if published in the papers, wud make me a wacko too.
:)
I'd simply remember Michael for his zest, energy, music, dedication and compassion. He is the best, no matter what ppl say.
Keshi.
Hi Rabbit! Yes, RIP.
Hi Keshi!
I agree. I guess I need to change my views after what you have to say. Okay! All I was saying was there is a need to be proud of what you are. I was just making a point there.
To confide in you: A few years ago, a close friend of mine urged me to change my name ( you know, adopt a pseudonym). i asked him why and he said it will be difficult for the buyers of your book to find out which place you belong. You might even pass off as a white. He said keep a name that looks like a white man's.
You know what, I sort of went in that direction for a while. But came back soon enough. I live with this name, wherever it takes me. Crazy, somewhat, but I feel one should rather concentrate to evolve as a writer than to waste time on such things.
Whoa, whoa... I am in no way trying to say anything about MJ in that vein. Only point: I found him a weirdo. And that impacted my appreciation of his music.
Phew!
Am I not too boring? Or too frank? Whatever!
Also to add, in personal life, everyone is a weirdo to some extent. But we stay within those limits.
In any case, personal and professional lives are like Siamese twins -- you just can't make one live.
Do I make sense?
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