A language that divides

Prof Rajita Chaudhuri follow some off-beat trends like organizing make up sessions

A university is a cultural hub. But divisions run deep beneath the apparent bonhomie. Anil Pandey tries to bring out the English versus vernacular division in our high temples of education, and examines its effects on Indian society

Scene 1: The canteen of Delhi School of Economics (also known as D School) in Delhi University's north campus. Equipped with expensive mobile phones and gadgets, the boys and girls are chatting and having fun. A glass of a cold drink in one hand and a cigarette in another, a guy is discussing the latest music album of an American band. The whole canteen is buzzing with activity.

Scene 2: A tea shop adjoining the old office of the Delhi University Students Union gate. Contrary to D School's guys with expensive gadgets, here students are sitting on sidewalks and walls sipping tea. Most of them are not wearing branded clothes. The D School students call them desi.

Scene 3: Canteen of PG men's hostel, Delhi University. Judging by their language, most of the students sitting in this canteen are from South India. The South Indian food served here is delicious.

Scene 4: Momos Point near Batra Cinema at Kamla Nagar, near Delhi University. Here lies a different world. Boys and girls with small brown eyes, and not very tall, mostly wearing low-waist jeans and loose T-shirts crowd this joint. They are the students from the Northeast.

These are scenes from one of the country's most prestigious universities where studies, fashion and glamour go hand in hand. It's a cultural melting pot in the sense that students from across the country come here to study. They bring with them the whiff of their respective cultures and enrich the university scene. Students from different regions and from diverse academic backgrounds mingle with each other, yet keep a distance. The divide ' linguistic and cultural ' is too conspicuous to miss.

Student leader Basant Jha says, 'Delhi University has many student associations based on languages. For instance, the students from UP and Bihar have formed Purvanchal Students Association, those form Northeast have Northeast Students Union and so on. In addition to these, there are Kerala, Gujarati, Manipuri and Naga student unions.'

Such linguistic divisions are found in almost all the big universities in the country. In some states, the division is based on differences between English and the vernacular language. But this division is not merely about the language ' the medium of studies also reflects the economic and social status of a student. English medium students are treated as the privileged ones, and if you believe some of the vernacular students, they get more attention from teachers as well as from the university administration.

A general perception is that those who go to English medium schools are likely to be more sophisticated, urbane and well-mannered than their counterparts who go to the state-run vernacular schools. This perception, obviously, does not go down well with the vernacular students, who feel marginalised and deprived. The secretary-general of the Gorakhpur University Teachers Association, Dr Chandrabhushan Ankur, says, 'There is a class divide in our education system. English in India has been more than just a language. It has been a culture and a class. Although in our university Hindi and Bhojpuri mediums are prominent, but English-medium students get special attention. The underlying assumption is that English-medium students are far more sincere.'

Generally English medium students get more pocket money because they usually come from well-off families. An English medium student does not mind blowing up Rs 500 to Rs 1000 in a day ' the kind of amount that can sustain a student from a weaker financial background for a week. Chennai-based student Virag feels, 'English medium students' lifestyle is very different from that of other students.' After the rise of the service sector in India, it became evident that the mastery of English is necessary to get a high paying job. No wonder then that even in rural areas more and more students are opting for English medium education. 'English is the global language. Not only do students get more books in English, but also greater employment opportunities. That's why many students here regard Telugu as a second class language and prefer English medium,' says T. Mohan Chari, a B.Tech student at Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University, Hyderabad. He is quite right. The biggest challenge for vernacular students is to find text books and study material in their language. 'Hindi and other regional languages lack quality textbooks though the number of vernacular medium students is greater than English-medium students. The university administration should make an effort to get good English books translated into other languages. Delhi University has created a special department for the job, but barely two or three books are translated in a year, which is clearly not enough,' says a DU lecturer.

Vernacular students feel they do not get good marks as the majority of teachers are from the English medium. Says ex-student leader Aditya Jha: 'Vernacular students should get separate classes and should be taught in their own medium. Their exam sheets should be checked by teachers who've done their education in either Hindi or in a regional language.'

However, when it comes to awareness about social and political issues, the vernacular students score over their English medium counterparts. The former are more aware of the burning issues and problems and are more active politically. Rohit Chahal, a former executive councillor of Delhi University Students Union, says, 'The DUSU election is an important affair as the union not only raises sensitive issues but also determines the direction of student politics. But on election day, most of the public school, English medium type in DU disapper. They prefer to watch a movie or a rock concert rather than taking part in student union elections.' Clearly, the linguistic division in our educational institutes is at multiple levels and is somewhere seeping into our society as a whole.

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

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SEX AND THE CITY-2: Vexed in the city

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Lacks the zest and verve of the tv series; also, a plot

The ladies are back, bolder than ever! Wait, make that older than ever. Because the unnecessary sequel to the originally unnecessary movie to a highly successful TV series is pretty jaded, never mind the dazzling outfits and the change of locale from New York to Abu Dhabi. Actually the change of location is the most annoying factor in the movie because as a fan of the TV show I thought there was still juice left to squeeze in the Big Apple. The New York set up is what gave 'Sex And The City' its panache but this time around the all expenses paid trip to Abu Dhabi that Samantha (Kim Cattrall) works out for the foursome is taken at the expense of the loyal viewers of the show.

Sure, you might want to discuss some outfits and some plot points after the movie, but while the former will give you some talking points, the latter is pretty much non-existent. It is a mash up of some of the sentiments we have seen aplenty on the show and the rest are cliched and familiar instances of troubles with bringing up kids (Charlotte and her young daughter), the adjustments you make in married life (Mr Big and Carrie) and handling a boss who's incapable of handling a subordinate who's more intelligent (Miranda).

The brands are there in droves and the movie seems to have sold its soul to commercialism. And seriously, no matter how big a fan you were of the show, let me assure you that there's no way you'll be able to handle four women bitching about their problems for two and a half hours! Forget about freshness, actor's expressions or even the emotions; the only things that change are the clothes.

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

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No Problem: No Brainer

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TSI Five-O: Laugh you will, but only sporadically

Anees Bazmee had clearly announced with “Singh Is Kinng” (SIK) and “Welcome” that the brain is an optional (and possibly irritating) faculty for enjoying his light comic fare on the silver screen. “No Problem” turns out to be a watered down version of “Singh Is Kinng” – the same illogical jumps from one exotic location to another and a similar brand of silliness. But while SIK was slick and “Welcome” had some hilarious performances from Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar, “No Problem” has most of its problems in the performance department. Kangana Ranaut is non existent, Akshaye Khanna is wasted, Sushmita Sen does herself no justice and Sanjay Dutt miserably fails with his comic timing which so wonderfully fell in place in the “Munnabhai” series. The only redeeming factors are Anil Kapoor as the bumbling cop and Paresh Rawal as the banker who has been robbed by Yash (Sanjay Dutt) and Raj (Akshaye Khanna). The first half of the film takes terribly long to build up the story and while there are some nice and funny moments in the second half, the rest of the film has a jaded look to it. Even discounting for the silly performance of Suniel Shetty as the villain, and the plot holes you will still only get very few laughs out of the movie. The music does nothing to lift the mood. “No Problem” would have been a breezy entertainer if only it were a bit funnier.

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US PRESIDENTS: INDIA VISITS

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The talk on India's potential to be a global power is not new. The world is realising and recognising it very fast. The same is being expected from the US too, especially after Barack Obama's coming to power. However, it has been a thorough disappointment for the last 18 months. But, the long wait seems to be over. US president Barack Obama's upcoming India visit, scheduled in the second week of November this year, is one of the most discussed news items doing rounds in both India and the US media. So far, ambiguity surrounded Obama's India policy, that only deepened when the US president concluded his Asia visit without visiting India. Even though countries like Singapore, Indonesia and China were on his itinerary, he somehow ignored India. Many foreign affairs experts in India felt it was insulting. However, things are taking a favourable turn now and the two nations are moving towards strong relationship. US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's efforts do deserve a mention in this regard, as she welcomed a high level Indian delegation and made them meet President Obama. And it became clearly visible when Obama expressed his desire to 'strengthen ties with India' as one of his administration's most important goals. He said at a reception at the State Department hosted by Hillary Clinton, "Our relations with India are at the highest of priorities for my Administration and for me personally as President of the US". He further called India "a responsible global power." And the US President had enough reasons and logic to support his comments, as he said, ''It's a rising power and a responsible global power. That's why I firmly believe that the relationship between the US and India will be a defining partnership in the 21st century." These have become signature tunes. Officials, diplomats and media fraternity in the US and India are going ga-ga over Obama's upcoming India visit.

American Presidents' visits to India have always been historic for both the nations. The relationship has just strengthened with time and with India's emergence in the global diplomatic arena. The first ever visit by an American President was that of Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was then perceived as an emissary of peace by Indian intellectuals. The trips were followed by Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter who delivered a stirring speech in Parliament on democracy. Later, while Bill Clinton's visit was more of a holiday trip at the end of his second term, Bush succeeded to create a mixed impression during his visit.

History has changed since then and Obama isn't Bush. However, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seems to be very lucky to welcome two consecutive Presidents of the US. But till now, the nation did not achieve much out of it. Can he do something now? The most striking agendas to be discussed is India's permanent membership in the UNSC, Kashmir issue, tie on trade and tackling terrorism.

Individual camaraderie will prove to be the pivot around which our PM can present a changed India to Obama. But can Dr Singh do it?

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

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'Pakistan will continue support to people of J&K'

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Pakistan will continue to extend "full moral, diplomatic and political support" to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said today.
Gilani made the remarks while chairing a meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet that was attended by senior federal ministers and military officials, including army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
Addressing the meeting, Gilani said: "Despite our best efforts, our quest for a just and durable peace in South Asia has so far proved elusive.

"Pakistan will continue to extend full moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri brothers and sisters," he said.
The committee "expressed full solidarity and support of the government and people of Pakistan for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for their inalienable right of self-determination as prescribed in relevant UN resolutions," an official statement said.

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Planman Motion Pictures is one of the most progressive film production houses in India, growing very fast in the pacy Indian entertainment Industry. It was founded in 2002 by renowned management expert and entrepreneur, Professor Arindam Chaudhuri. The company has in a short while, created a distinctive mark in the Indian motion pictures scenario with its choice of films,marketing and releases. Apart from the main stream cinema, the company also indulge in the making of offbeat movies.

The company is into the making of hindi, english as well as bengali films. The very young team at Planman Motion Pictures, is led by Subho Shekhar Bhattacharjee, has a vibrant mix of of creative talents and seasoned producers. The team works with a vision to create original differentiated cinema with new professional and transparency benchmarks.

One of the most loved films of the year, Planman Motion Pictures' "Do Dooni Chaar" that talks about the middle class ethos and the unsung heroes of society – teachers – was screened for human and resource development minister Kapil Sibal, his wife, his daughter, actor Rishi Kapoor, Arindam Chaudhuri and few of select friends and senior professors of IIPM at the Films Division Auditorium, Mahadev Road, recently.

Kapil Sibal watched the film with interest, as he liked the subject of Arindam's film. And when the film talks about common man and his life, questions pertaining to the well being of aam aadmi were inevitable. So when someone asked Sibal what is he doing for common people's common problems, he said, "I am trying to give them better education. Mein toh bas yahi koshish kar raha hoon ki sab bachche school jaye." Rishi found a fan in Sibal, as the minister praised his work saying, "Simply superb."

Renowned Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri was more than happy to lap up the praises, "It was a huge honour that Kapil Sibal loved the film, as it was a tribute to teachers and all those associated with education. Education is something that lasts forever, teachers create human beings and the society in turn, yet they always remain the unsung heroes," he said.

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"Coming to Ahmedabad is always a pleasure. With every visit to this city, I can see its upward climb," began well-known management guru Arindam Chaudhari, when he kick started the Bhaskar knowledge series in the city. Chaudhari, also an economist and the director of the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM), conducted a seminar on 'Increasing managerial effectiveness' at the Vastrapur lake amphitheatre on Sunday.

In course of his speech, Arindam Chaudhari shared his views on picking up managerial effectiveness from the great Indian epic, Mahabharata, and the Indian bible Bhagwad Gita. Quoting the Bhagwad Gita, Chaudhari said, "Karma kar, phal ki aasha mat rakh (focus on work without expectation of results)."He elaborated that the same is the philosophy of Apple chief Steve Jobs as well. "In his autobiography titled 'Journey is the reward', Jobs says he chased after his passion, and not material pleasures. That makes all the difference," he told the 3,500-strong crowd in the city.

Indians are running after money instead of focusing on the vision, feels the management guru. "We should have a vision first, and pursue passion and not money. In the past few years, Indians have made it to the list of top 100 billionaires of the world. But not a single Indian brand is in the list of the world's top 100 brands. India has become a country of billionaires, but without brands," said Arindam Chaudhari.

He illustrated with the examples of Microsoft Word and Apple iPad. "These are people who became rich, but created brands in return. While in India, people just buy a piece of land and become billionaires. In the West, kids have a goal and a vision right from their childhood. But here, the passion for managerial effectiveness is killed in school itself," he said.

Prof. Arindam says it irks him that teachers in India teach history but never share the ideology of heroes of that time. "They will tell their students who Akbar was and what he did, but will never elaborate on his reasons for doing what he did, or on his vision at that time," he said. He added that few Indians appear willing to read the Bhagwad Gita or do any kind of research on it. "In fact, reading this book will teach you everything. It will reveal the secrets of success that our culture has always known," he concluded.

The Bhaskar knowledge series will have seven seminars over 45 days. While Chaudhari's was the first, the second will be on 'Creativity in Advertising' by Piyush Pandey on October 28.

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Prof Rajita Chaudhuri's Latest Article: THE ART OF GIVING

Feedback of Rajita Chaudhuri's Casses >> 2009-2012 >> 2008-2011 >> 2007-2010 >> 2006-2009 >> 2005-2008 DOWNLOADS > UGP FW 09-12, Book > UGP FW 09-12, Debate-3 > UGP SS 09-12, Presentation > UGP/09-12/FW Excom 2nd Semester Marks A day at the campus > 2009-2012 > 2008-2011 > 2007-2010 > 2006-2009 > 2005-2008

Prof. Rajita is the wife of acclaimed economist, entrepreneur, and management guru Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri (Honorary Dean of IIPM). Prof. Rajita Chaudhuri is the Dean Center for Enterprise Management (3 years integrated course in Planning and Entrepreneurship) at The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM), New Delhi. Prof. Rajita teaches Executive Communication to the Undergraduate students of IIPM. She is also a regular and well acclaimed columnist of 4P’s Business and Marketing magazine. 4Ps is India's no.1 Business and Marketing magazine. It examines global issues with an Indian lens, ranging from an analysis of advertising campaigns to emerging trends and practices in Marketing and Advertising. She has been regularly covered my newspapers like TOI, HT, Mail Today, Dispatch and India Today over the years. Prof. Rajita, been involved with various training and development activities of the institute and has conducted workshops for big and well established industrial houses across India. Her expertise lies in expert knowledge in marketing strategy, business professionalism and the essence of team building in achieving the required effectiveness. Her workshops are commonly represented by senior executives from well known corporations. Prof. Rajita Chaudhuri has trained over ten thousand senior executives and professionals and has helped organizations create efficiencies in enhancing proficiency in business execution and operations. Prof Chaudhuri has also written a book on Advertising titled “Orangutan as your Brand ambassadors”. She has extensively consulted companies in India and abroad on various Branding and Marketing issues and has also conducted a number of management development programmes for both the corporates and the students. Prof. Rajita Chaudhuri is indeed a woman having multifaceted personality and has varied interests in diverse fields ranging from Marketing, Advertising to Current Affairs....

Student 2009-12 / UGP / SS / 1st Semester say about Prof. Rajita Chaudhur that she is:

1. Very motivating
2. Very good in behaviour and good faculty
3. Very co-operative
4. Very encouraging and co-operative
5. Ma’am is too helpful
6. Very improvising always. Very free and friendly with the students
7. Excellent in way of teaching
8. Made me feel confident while speaking
9. Extra ordinary
10. Awesome teacher
11. Excellent in improving communication skills by giving varied topics
12. Takes care of each and every student
13. Improved my body language and confidence. She treats every child with same delicacy
14. Awesome teacher with great fun lectures
15. Understands her students very well & helps a lot
16. Taught us very nicely otherwise the teacher at that position show lots of attitude.
17. She is a nice person and teaches well.
18. She is a great professor, I absolutely thank her for improving my skills over ex-comm.
19. Very talented and helpful
20. Teaches very well and along with that they are very friendly too.
21. Very good way of teaching
22. Awesome teacher.
23. Awesome interaction by ma’am with students and sometimes her speech gives us lots of goose bumps.
24. Ma’am truly changed the way I speak, walk.
25. Best teacher I have ever came across
26. Excellent teaching style
27. Has a very positive attitude which helps students to take motivation.

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A life of royalty Vs sexuality

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He claims to be the first ever royal to come out. And yet, for Manvendra Singh Gohil, the royal descent did little to mitigate the social trauma associated with a homosexual identity. The Gay Prince of Rajpipla, his intrepid confidence and sporting sense of humour every bit in place, shares his story with Spriha Srivastava

Rajpipla is a small town in Gujarat, about two and a half hours ahead of Baroda. Its culture and heritage strongly intact, Rajpipla still holds the throne of the 600-year-old Gohil dynasty on a pedestal. Till some years back, this princely town was comparatively unknown and insignificant when pitched against the other bustling and economically progressive cities of India. But since 2006, Rajpipla has garnered fame and attention, mostly credited to the heir of its royal dynasty, Prince Manvendra.

Sans inhibitions about answering personal questions, and without the slightest hesitation in sharing anecdotes about his romantic relationships, the gay Prince of Rajpipla talks about it all with a sprinkle of humour. Seated in his palace, as I juggled with euphemisms while articulating my questions, the Prince generously took the lead to break the ice, allowing me to get comfortable discussing his sexuality. Prince Manvendra did his schooling from Bombay Scottish, Mumbai, and his childhood was spent shuttling between Mumbai and Rajpipla. “In school I had a lot of girlfriends, that’s why my parents were shocked to know I was gay!” exclaimed Manvendra and broke into a hearty laugh. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, life would have been a smooth journey for Manvendra, but for the struggle, for him and his dear ones, to reconcile to his sexuality. “My adolescent years brought me a lot of trouble. I started noticing differences between myself and the other boys. To begin with, I was not sporty at all. So I was constantly bullied. Also, the lack of a friend circle made it difficult for me to share what was going on in my mind. I had girlfriends but I was not sexually attracted to them,” recalled Manvendra. Like in most other royal families, Manvendra and his sister were raised by governesses, which distanced him from his parents. Although they lived together in Mumbai, the discomfort of sharing his feelings with them pent up emotions about his sexual dilemma inside him. “At that time, I couldn’t give a name to what I felt. At an age when everyone likes girls, I was attracted to the male servants in my house. So I didn’t know what was going wrong. I was confused.”

Today, in the post-media boom era of the Internet and virtual social networking, alienation as experienced by the Prince is fairly avoidable. It’s because of this awareness that today homosexuals have a legal existence (according to Section 377) in the society, and are not ostracised and abused like in the past.

Manvendra’s first sexual brush was with a servant during his early teens. “My grandmother had appointed him as my caretaker. Both of us became very close which led us to experiment with each other’s bodies. We had a physical relationship and we liked the idea of being together,” said the Prince. But even then, he thought this to be a temporary phase and believed the feeling would soon go away.

Lean and tall, dressed in kurta pyjama, the Prince took me around the palace museums where he introduced me to the palace helpers. Prince Manvendra greeted them all with a smile and exchanged pleasantries in Gujarati. He enquired if his parents (Maharaja Raghubir Singh and Maharani Rukmani Devi) were in the palace and then turned to me and said, “I travel a lot and my father does not use a mobile phone. So we don’t usually know each other’s whereabouts. In fact, I still haven’t seen my father’s room completely. He has a gym, I’ve heard.”

Like most other families faced by such announcements, the royal family of Rajpipla was shocked to know that Manvendra was gay. The ignominy, they thought, was greater on account of being public figures and the first citizens of the town. To prevent these waves of shock from traveling through generations, Prince Manvendra’s parents decided to disown him. “My coming out was like a volcanic eruption. I had come out in the media without consulting my parents and I was told that there was havoc in the palace. My parents could see that this guy is just not going to stop. So the best way that they thought was to disinherit me from the royalty.” Then, in his characteristic joviality, he added, “Too bad their strategy backfired! According to the law, the heir of a royal family can’t be disinherited from ancestral property.” A confrontation with his parents happened only after three months when Manvendra clearly explained himself to them. “Oh! What not did they try to ‘cure’ me! I was sent to doctors, tantriks, sadhus etc. Sometimes suggestions of joining a hijra group would also roll past my ears. I patiently did all that my parents wanted because I wanted them to be satisfied.” On enquiring about the reaction of the people of Rajpipla, Manvendra said, “It came as a pleasant surprise that they supported me more than my parents. They love me, perhaps because I have always been involved with them.”

It’s said that more than 80% of gays in India succumb to the pressure from their parents and end up marrying for the sake of keeping up a façade of normalcy. Marriage happens to be one of the most painful consequences of sexual ambiguity, and Manvendra too was a victim. “I would say it was more painful for my ex-wife. I got married in 1991 and had thought that my attraction to men would die once I get married, but our marriage never got consummated. My wife would keep crying and think that I had an affair. And I could not understand why I wasn’t sexually attracted to her. In our family, people would enquire about ‘good news’ and the poor thing couldn’t even say ‘forget about good news, I’m still a virgin’.” With a shy smile, Manvendra remembered, “When we would watch movies, I would be more interested in Salman Khan or Aamir Khan than the heroines!” Within 15 months of the marriage, they got divorced, which is when he realised that it was “high time that he explored his sexuality. This failure was a huge blow to me”. “I still remember her parting words –‘Look, you spoilt my life by getting married to me. Please don’t do this to anyone else.’ We still don’t talk. I always prayed for her marriage because re-marriage is very tough in royal families. Now she is happily married.”

After his divorce, Manvendra started to read about homosexuality. He chanced upon a magazine for homosexuals called Bombay Dost through which he learned about Ashok Row Kavi, the first person ever to have revealed his sexual identity in public (in 1986), and wanted to get in touch with him. He eventually did, and Ashok volunteered to become his mentor. “I met him in 1995, when I was about 26 years old, at a gay party,” Manvendra recalled. “Ashok made me comfortable about my sexuality, washed away the guilt from my mind, trained me to become a gay counselor and taught me to face the media.” This encouragement pushed Manvendra to break out from his closeted life and tell the world about himself. And soon Rajpipla became famous as the home of the Gay Prince.

Slowly, Manvendra started involving himself with the gay community to fight for their rights. He founded the Lakshya Trust, an NGO dedicated to homosexuals. Lakshya has a very close-knit group of gay individuals working for causes such as generating AIDS awareness, counseling, and fighting against gay sexual abuse, which is the most challenging chore. It’s ruthless when some choose to make gay men a prey to their sexual desperation. In fact, many cases of gay abuse are conveniently swept under the carpet because the crime is often committed by the police. On speaking about this with Manvendra, he shared incidents when his people from Lakshya were harassed by the police and had to give in to forced sex. On a lighter note, he spoke of his experience on Oprah Winfrey’s show. “She asked me if I ever feared getting imprisoned. She wasn’t clear about the situation of homosexuals in India. So I told her that I would have loved it if a policeman took me in because I love men in uniform. One of my fantasies would come true if that happened!” Just then one of his palace helpers entered the room. Following his exit, Manvendra softly said, “He’s on my flirt list,” and smiled. I then decided to ask him about his relationships, and the Prince said that he did have his share of heartbreaks. “I have had two relationships. One was an NRI and belonged to my caste. My parents had also met him. But both the relationships didn’t work out because I realised that both the men were more interested in my fortune and status. It’s only this situation that makes me wish that I was a commoner. It’s tough to find true love,” expressed Manvendra.

So who is Prince Manavendra’s kind of guy? “Oh! I don’t like the body builder type. I don’t like the sophisticated ones. I don’t like the perfumed suited-booted guys. I like the casual, soft kind of guys. And does he have marriage plans on his mind? “It’s a far-fetched idea”, he said. “We are still struggling to get the legal issues straightened up. It’s still lingering in the Supreme Court. Besides, gay marriage acceptance in society is very difficult. My marriage will be a national issue and I don’t want it to be looked down upon. I’m cool with live-in relationships though.” Who would carry forward the legacy of the Gohil dynasty, was my next question. “My father had expressed his insecurities about family lineage and so did the people of Rajpipla. I eventually plan to adopt a child from our family. Our own 650-year-old dynasty’s first ruler was adopted,” he shared.

Manvendra introduced vermiculture in Rajpipla, and is a connoisseur of music. He spends his free time playing the harmonium and participates in live performances as well. But gay activism remains his priority. His status in the society has made Manvendra an idol for gays who wouldn’t have ever mustered the courage to look the world in the eye. Would the Gay Prince of Rajpipla have been happier leading an unknown gay life? “I always tell myself that I was destined to be a part of royal family and be gay so that I could be a voice for other gay men”, and then smilingly added, “I think I couldn’t have asked for anything better!”

Spriha Srivastava

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2010.

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

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Do Dooni Chaar - Bringing Together Rishi Kapoor And Neetu Singh Was A Huge Challenge

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Producer Management Arindam Chaudhuri says he had approached Juhi Chawla to play Neetu Singh's character because he was not sure that the actress will agree to make a comeback with 'Do Dooni Char' after a gap of 24 years.

Neetu, who said goodbye to acting after her marriage to Rishi, plays a middle class Punjabi housewife opposite Rishi in the movie, which is due to release on 8th October.

"Rishiji was not sure whether Neetuji will agree. We approached Juhi Chawla but the actress did not want to play mother to an 18-year-old. We finally decided to go back to Neetuji and she loved the script," says Chaudhuri.

Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri, who has produced Amitabh Bachchan starer 'The Last Lear' and national award winning film 'Faltu', says bringing the couple to his film was a huge achievement.
"Neetu has always played very glamorous and elegant roles but for the first time she will be seen playing a middle class woman. In fact, all the clothes that she is wearing in the film have come from Sarojini Nagar. We have given her a complete makeover," says the producer.

Arindam Chaudhuri, who is Honorary Dean for the IIPM Center for Economic Research and Advanced Studies, says his father's life as a teacher inspired him to make the film.

"We wanted to make a film on a teacher's life. The story was developed by director Habib Faisal and me. Our parents were teachers and we have seen the limitations that they face. The film is about a family's journey from a two-wheeler to a car," he says. "It also talks about how consumerism works in a family. It is about consumerism versus family values. Somehow parents have disappeared from our cinema. The family has no role in our films today."

Asked about his next project, Prof. Arindam says he is planning to move to big budget cinema with his next venture, which will also star some known faces. "I entered Bollywood as an outsider but I have a better understanding of the market now. My next venture will have a bigger budget and some known stars but I won't compromise on the story," said Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri.

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Exclusive Survey: Sex and the city

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Exclusive Survey: Sex and the city

16 going on Sex-teen

Sex Education

EXCLUSIVE SURVEY - AND STORIES WHICH BRING OUT A NEW INDIA’S INDULGENCE IN THE WORLD’S FAVOURITE SPORT

We, the people of India, have never shied away from the act of sex. We have our population statistics to vouch for it. But when it has come to discussing bedroom troubles with pals, taking expert advice in solving gratification problems or understanding the hormonal changes in our teenage sons and daughters, we have been found seriously wanting. Religious morality, laws drawn up in the Victorian Age, a quasi-feudal system, lack of education and exposure have all played their respective parts in restricting us. Of late, specially in our metros and some other cities, we have been perceiving a change where the morality of the religion is being slowly replaced by a sense based on concern for human rights and individual choices, restrictions are giving way to choices. There are miles to go and there always will be. Many states in the US are still debating whether to legalise abortion. Of course, there are consequences: some positive, some adverse. But there is no point denying it. Without any more foreplay, let's get into the act. Please turn over the page.

The survey has been conducted using a structured questionnaire amongst a randomly selected sample of 1,244 respondents. The survey has been conducted in the five metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Chennai in the age group of 18-35 years. The answers are collected from respondents belonging to SEC A1, A2 and B1 segments wherein 1,124 are men and 120 are women. Most women refrained from taking the survey and hence the fairer sex's sample size covered under the purview of the survey is only about 10 per cent. Out of the total samples, 821 men are married & are living with their spouses and 303 are bachelors. Women surveyed are mostly unmarried. Forty seven female respondents are married and are living with their spouses.


Have you ever had sex?

This is the best start for the survey. All 1,244 respondents have had sex. We did not come across a single celibate in a country of renunciation.

With whom did you have your first sexual experience?

Chastity and virginity are prized possessions no more. Finding out whether a couple is sexually compatible seems to be the in thing.


What is the maximum number of times you've had sex in a day?
If anyone says Indians are sexually inactive, just rattle off the following figures to shut him/her up.


At what age did you first have sex?

Teens and young adults are definitely experimenting with their lives, in tune with figures reflected in global surveys.



How many partners have you had in the last 1 year?

The bulwark of monogamy is still managing to hold out but the figures show that polygamy is on the rise.


Do you currently have a steady sexual partner?

Just like with their savings habit, Indians prefer to have things steady in their bedroom too. But a substantial number of people don't mind rocking the boat.



Have you ever experimented with role-playing and/ or sex toys?
Indians are definitely not the kinkiest of the lot but the lack of availability of sex toys in the domestic market seems to have been a spoilsport for the 23 per cent.

How was your first experience like?

Indians are no more sexually ignorant. The high percentage of 'Excellent' markers and the fact that they remember the occasion are pointers enough.







What do you think about pre-marital sex?

The moral police is completely out of sync with today's young India. An overwhelming majority don't consider this as a taboo any more.




Do you believe sex gives equal pleasure to both men and women?
Sex is no more for the pleasure of the men alone. Well, was it ever? India is frequently ridiculed abroad as a land where women never have orgasms. Hope this leads to a change of that perception.


Have you ever used an escort/massage parlour service for paid sex?
Visiting the red light area is passe. More than a-fifth of the respondents have had paid sex at the upmarket massage parlours or have ordered for home or hotel delivery.


Have you ever visited a red light area?
No matter how sexually liberated we become, visiting a red light area still means a lowly act and there is the fear of contracting diseases. May be, legalisation of the trade will lead to different findings.


Have you ever paid for sex?
We always knew the Indian aversion to pay for water. The same logic goes here. Why pay for something that comes for free? Not that a few don't differ, just like mineral water drinkers.


Is cyber café a better place to have sex?
Cyber cafe and sex? Yes, in India's Tier-II & III cities, this is the best haunt for adult fun and escapades. And it seems more than one-fourth of India's metro dwellers agree wholeheartedly.


Escapades in the park are no longer possible
Blame it on the moral police or those in uniform, the slight of the open umbrella on a park bench has lost its fatal attraction.


Most often you turn to sex for

We are amazed to find that people have managed to create watertight categories with little chance of osmosis or diffusion.







Have you ever encountered/ indulged in office sex?

Now, this takes guts and, as some say, lack of private spaces. An overwhelming majority seems to find it uncomfortable and risky. But the five per cent, one has to agree, are those men and women who will beat the others hands down in a libido count. May be, sex fraught with danger increases the pleasure factor.

Have you ever gone out specifically for a sex holiday?

Honeymoons are perfect example but the term sex holiday has an alternative feel. The good part of this holiday is that you don't need to spend on exotic destinations as you are not likely to leave your air-conditioned room.




How do you rejuvenate your sex life?

You don't usually associate boredom with this act but there is a need to spice it up once in a while. This is one matter on which every respondent unanimously feels that there is a need to rejuvenate his/her sex life. Used to the daily grind in the office, this is somewhere you can probably get a bit creative as well.




Do you believe that sex also takes place at the workplace?
Honestly speaking, there is nothing to believe or disbelieve. This is not a matter of faith. It happens for sure. You either know it or you don't. But it seems that a few people are not even interested.


Given a choice where would you like to have sex?
Here the placid Indian makes himself/herself heard again. The 'car'walas seem to be inspired by Hollywood. Office work can get you fired and workout in the park may land you in jail. But the elements of risk and danger can surely be more exciting.


Do you expect the woman/man you marry to be a virgin?

Indians are practical people. So they don't expect a miracle. Young people in the cities also place compatibility higher than chastity and virginity on a priority list when it comes to choosing partners.


If you live separately, do you enjoy your sex life more?
A majority thinks sex is a matter between two individuals and having your mom and dad in the next room makes you tone your voice down. Those who live in three-storey mansions don't agree but they are a lucky minority.


Do you use any kind of protection for safe sex?

The fear of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases has led to greater use of condoms. Emergency contraceptive pills and other means lag far behind.






Have you ever had unprotected sex and woken up worried?
It's obvious most Indians plan in advance. After all, giving into momentary lapses of reason is not really our cup of tea. A few people have burnt their hands once but then, some don't seem to have learnt anything at all.


Would you forgive your partner if he/she cheated on you?
Now, this is sensitive territory. A sexual revolution may be sweeping India but only a handful are sure about forgiving their partner. All religions talk about forgiving sinners. Can we take a cue from this?


Do you think live-in relationships lead to a better sex life?

Today's youths definitely like no-strings-attached relationships. But then, is live-in that much different from marriage in case you don't live in a joint family?




Are you satisfied with your sex life?

In spite of all talks about conservatism, taboos and social backwardness, in the end what matters most? And it seems that we are faring pretty well.





What are your views on gay sex?
Now, who would have guessed that a country where gay sex is punishable by law would have thrown up the following results? But with prominent citizens coming out of the closet and the political and judicial class reviewing age-old codes and laws based on Victorian morality, the LGBT cause has got a new lease of life.

Do you think sex education should be given to children?

No child is immune to sex education, no matter whether she learns it at school or not. The point is to choose between teaching and self-discovery. Both have positives but the latter is a riskier proposition.


How important is sex in your life?
Sigmund Freud saw sex drive or libido as the single most important driving force of all human endeavours. It seems people largely agree with him.

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2010.

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm - Planman Consulting
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