'Cause Pigs can Fly

A boy was recently sexually abused by a male prisoner in Borella. Ceylon Today reported the story in around 200 words. Recently, papers were full of stories for the Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Women’s Day too gave way for many stories. When we say Gender Based Violence, its assumed to mean violence against women. However, the story of this boy reminds us that it isn’t only women who are abused and harassed. Males too are abused and the worst part is that, they can’t even tell anyone about this. I’ve seen young boys looking uncomfortable in buses thanks to the women who sit next to them. I’ve seen men look around helplessly as a woman’s body is pressed onto his. And they can’t protest because, well, aren’t men supposed to enjoy it? Do we not say a woman loves with her heart and a man with his…? And what kind of a sissy would say no to a woman’s body against his even if this woman is sweaty and bulgy? Or worse, even if this man has no interest ...

 The Nation Free Exploring your options, whiling away your time or university requirement; all those fancy terms means just one thing; you have a full time job. Maybe you aren’t there on a permanent basis, and maybe your boss told you that your work hours are flexible. In fact, I’m sure you were told you can even work from home. However, chances are, you spend five days a week, from morning till evening in an office. We are young, eager to work and of course easily fall prey to the vultures. They patiently wait for the time of the year when a child’s school life comes to an end and quickly snaps at them. We are nervous and scared and still learning. We don’t know how much work is required of us and we are still trying to figure out how to survive in an office. There are things we must do, and things we shouldn’t. Know your bosses. Who do you answer to? Age doesn’t mean seniority and you must know whose orders you should follow. However, respect everyone, and don’...

The Nation There are people who once meant a lot to you. Then they stopped being there in your life. We all have such people, those we loved but somehow couldn’t accommodate in our lives anymore. The names of such people,  for now, are listed in a ‘People of the Past’ list. However, what are they to me? They were once friends, very close friends. Now, I never speak to them, rarely see them. Recently a friend expertly described such people who are neither friend, nor enemy as, ‘strangers with memories.’ This is exactly what they are. You hear that familiar voice, the fragrance you associate with them and all those memories you tried so hard to forget, come gushing to your mind. And you try to brush it off, convincing yourself that they don’t matter, that your friendship never mattered. But who are you kidding? For a second, be honest with yourself. Admit that everyone who was once part of your life meant a lot to you. Because we may hate them, or think we do, but deep...

The Nation No better play of the imagination is seen as illustrated in Calvin and Hobbes. For all those who have no inkling as to who these two are, you are in for a treat. The comic strip illustrated by Bill Watterson, gives us a peek into the world of Calvin, a six-year-old. What makes his life extraordinary is his stuffed tiger, Hobbes, who Calvin believes is alive. The two go on many adventures, wreaking havoc and always getting on the nerves of other people. His parents, who we only know as Mom and Dad, love Calvin and even Hobbes. When Calvin demands a goodnight kiss for Hobbes, his mother obliges, and in one episode, Calvin’s Mom even vents her feelings to Hobbes. The Dad too puts up with Calvin and Hobbes, and admits they are all one family again, once Calvin is reunited with Hobbes, having been left behind at home. Watterson cleverly shows that Hobbes is alive only in Calvin’s mind by drawing him as a live and fuzzy tiger with Calvin, while he was a mere stuffed toy in the pre...

The Nation Free You can’t deny having indulged in a session of gossip at least once in your life. Gossiping is seen as a fun and entertaining way to while away time. However, it is also, at times, disgusting and a shameful thing to do. When you gossip about someone, at some point the story is exaggerated and soon enough, the original story is hidden beneath many false versions. People never gossip about good things. Have you heard people talk about the young couple, in love, who are such amazing parents to their one boy who looks like an angel? Do people talk about how well so and so is doing at his job and how much he deserves that latest promotion? Instead gossip is hateful and hurtful. It is coated with jealousy and envy. We talk about the latest breakups, and tumbles in life. Who is cheating on whom, and who just lost her job. We gossip about the financial status of people, or their family matters. Nothing ever good comes out of gossiping. While indulging in a ...