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September 06, 2018, will mark an important day for the LGBT community in India. The Supreme Court of India abolished Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).  This law came into effect in the year 1982. It stated that the carnal intercourse against the order of nature with man, woman or animal was punishable with imprisonment of a lifetime or at least 10 years of jail, with or without fine.

Today’s judgment symbolizes the beginning of unbiased treatment for the LGBTQ community in our country. For a very long time, the community has been harassed and struggled. They had been treated as the discarded sections, always. But the decision of abolishing Section 377 is a huge initiation in terms of equality.

Chief justice Dipak Misra and Justices DY Chandrachud, AM Khanwilkar, Indu Malhotra, and Rohinton Fali Nariman decreed that LGBTQ community will now have the same sexual rights just like everyone else.

The Journey

In 2009, Delhi High court had declared that any consensual sexual act between homosexuals in private is not illegal. But later, Justice G S Singhvi did not validate the decision and said that it is on the members of Parliament to make any decision on the topic.

However, in April 2014, the Supreme Court suggested the government to declare transgender as the third sex and should be able to practice all the rights under the law and also asked the community in the OBC category. Naz Foundation in April 2016 filed a petition and the Chief Justice, TS Thakur decided to review the same along with a constitutional bench of 5 other members.

The Verdict

Finally, following the small steps over the time, here is the decision, taken for the welfare of the LGBTQ community. From the common man to the United Nations, everyone is praising the decision. There is a wave of happiness all over the country.

The Psychological Benefits of the verdict

The verdict is the right step in the direction of equality as there will be no victimization or labelling of any alternate sexuality. This might not end discrimination totally, but this will open the doors of acceptance for people of the LGBT community. The harassment and blackmailing of the gay people will stop, which had actually been one of the major reasons in the past for them to remain in the closet. The homosexuals who married the opposite sex due to the stigma can come out now, ending their unhappy marriages.

Accepting others for who they are is the biggest support one can give each other. Sexuality is not an acquired trait, its very much natural.

All the protests and demonstrations finally end in a fruitful result. From here on, there will be hearts full of love and heads held up high with pride.

Learn more about Dr. Prerna Kohli

What you can do for your country

On the upcoming Indian Republic Day, I am reminded of what John F Kennedy the former president of The United States of America “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”.

This current culture of entitlement is prevalent in India. It makes people believe that the country has to provide for them instead of what they can do for the country. One of the best examples of this in India is what we call the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. It is about keeping your country clean.

We notice that people clean their own homes, and throw the garbage right outside their homes. Nation building is about treating public property, and common property with the same love and respect that one does with their own property.

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time

Mark Twain, the famous author very aptly said that “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it”. I would like to tweak Mark Twain quote slightly and say patriotism is supporting your country all the time. Being very careful about supporting your politicians based on caste or regional politics.

With India’s Republic Day around the corner, it is a good time for us the citizens of this fantastic country pledge to be more patriotic, focus on respecting public property, cleanliness, honesty and integrity.

One of the best examples that come to my mind is that of Japan and Japanese school children. In Japanese schools at the end of the day, all children get together and clean their school. They clean their desks, they clean their classrooms and tidy up their school before they go home. This culture of caring, cleanliness is inculcated from a young age in all Japanese people.

Our culture, our nation has plenty of excellent values. Such as respect for elders, respect of women, respect and love for animals. But, this does not, and should not stop us from bringing and implementing best values and practices from other countries and nations.

On this occasion of Republic Day, I believe that for us to grow and strengthen as a nation. We need to focus on improving our environment, reducing our dependency on non-renewable energy, educating our youth and children with values such as cleanliness of our environment, protecting public assets, treating women as equals in the home and workplace.

Special thanks to all the armed forces personnel

As we all enjoy a holiday on the 26th of January to celebrate our Republic Day special thanks to all the armed forces personnel who worked 24 by 7 to protect our borders. It is thanks to these wonderful men and women who sacrifice so much to protect our borders that we civilians sleep safely at night.
Jai Hind!
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