Full Moon on the Ganges

*Sighs *...you bring back memories. The last time I was in Allahabad was almost six years ago and it is certainly not the same place.

But that is life I guess. As to what I am doing now. Currently I am in purgatory: technical writing. I do some freelance writing off and on: marketing related, fiction, creative non-fiction book reviews etc. Oh yes, and I live in Indianapolis now. Keep Writing. Hope to see more of your work soon.

Jawahara

Bina:

Yes, Woodstock was the school I had in mind. I graduated from there in l972. What fun that you also were there for awhile as an exchange student! It must have been much later as I didn`t know the Youngbloods and the other family you mentioned. I`m glad you had a good time and thought the place was cool! We didn`t appreciate our experiences there until we had left the place, unfortunately. But that happens with all young people, doesn`t it?

Where are you from? Where are you living now?

Sincerely,

Rebecca

OMAR1974

You certainly stirred up a lively discussion! Your comments (and others` subsequent replies) fascinate me, mostly because they brought up elements of the culture I hadn`t even thought of while writing this particular story. Thank you for highlighting these issues for me: the manipulative techniques Indian females use to trap a man! In my own mind, Radha`s feelings were genuine and I sympathized with her. It didn`t occur to me to characterize her differently. My preoccupation was with the predicament the main character had inadvertantly gotten himself into as a result of misunderstanding the culture that he was supposedly ``at home`` in.

temporal,

Thanks for your comments to my story. I`m glad you enjoyed it.

Tell me about yourself.

All the best to you.

Sincerely,

Rebecca

Ferozk

Thank you for your kind comments to my story. I hope to interact more at chowk.com.

Take care.

Sincerely,

Rebecca

Jawahara,

Yes, I did grow up in Allahabad (among other places in India.) However, I was only there for the winter holidays (Dec. through Mar.) The rest of the time I was at Woodstock school in Mussoorie.

We used to loven going to Lucky Sweet Mart, and then to Wheeler`s bookstore around the corner next to Kwality restaurant. Of course that was years and years ago. Civil Lines has changed quite a lot since I was there!

Tell me about yourself. Where are you living now?

And thanks for responding to my story.

Bec,

Welcome to chowk! See you`ve stirred up quite a few people and even made some connections with old Illahabadis! Lucky sweet Mart,

I liked the story. You captured the river beautifully...corrugated light! Fantastic image. Also I like the unexpected and unexplained nature of Arun`s appearance, anger and disappearance. Is this old or new story?

Keep it up and post some more.

Nate

re: Narcissuss

Let`s go Buffalloes!

re ranaransher
hi rana, where `you been? havent seen around lately. (do you mind if i call you rana? simply easier to type)


``You tend to look at a section of society (whatever you have in mind) and apply it to EVERYONE.``

okay, lets go over this discussion: omar1974 was making a general statement about desi women; shandana responded by saying that desi women might be using tears as a way to manipulate men. in response to this, I said, ``that is true, probably most of the times.`` and giving an explanation for why that might be the case. i am confused -- what have i applied to EVERYONE?

``The plight of woman the world over (to varying degrees in different areas, of course) has a lot to do with not having economic parity.``

OK. agreed that economic power has quite a bit to do with the `plight` of women; but its not just that. The `plight` of women the world over is systemic, structural and institutionalized -- politically, socially and economically. In fact, the social, political and economic disempowerment go hand in hand and reinforce each other.

``Aggression is a personal thing, regardless of whether you are a man or a woman and is shaped a lot by your experiences throughout your life.``

i am more confused. i dont remember talking about aggression, only about the relationship between power and manipulation. a lot of times power is attained through the use of aggression; but this is not always the case. so, what kind of aggression are you referring to?

``For example, a lot of men participating on this forum seem to be a lot less aggressive than you, at least judging by their (and yours ;-) replies.``

no offence taken, really, ;-) but please indulge me and explain why you think I am more ``aggressive`` than some of the men - judging only on the basis of our interaction?

``Manipulation is a whole different thing and is also a very aggresive act. You are getting what you want by playing on the others WEAKNESSES.``

aggression generally refers to an act that involves the use of force, or an offensive assault or attack (not a defensive or retaliatory attack). i guess we could argue that manipulation is a form of aggression.

i certainly do think that manipulation is extremely problematic. my point was not to suggest that manipulation is okay; i was just trying to argue that in general, women are the ones who are more likely to manipulate situations and people by using tactics such as tears and `acting helpless`. but, this is not because women are programmed to be more manipulative. instead, this is because acting weak and helpless is totally permitted, or even expected of women, in most societies. and, because, often, this is what women are taught. how does your statement respond to this specific argument?

``THere was this guy called Gandhi who taught the world a thing or two about `seemingly` non-aggressive aggression. Everybody`s first look at him evoked the same kind of reaction you have.``

i`m confused, what reaction did I have (to what)? are you saying that non-aggression can be aggressive or it can be manipulative? i was never looking at the relationship between agression, power and manipulation and i think you have misunderstood my argument.

as far as the supreme mahatma gandhi-ji is concerned, I`ll leave that for another time.

bye :)

Bina,

I had the pleasure of visiting Woodstock in the early eighties myself. I was with the LAS delegation though, and I believe it was some sort of cultural convention. I then attended KAS for a few years and graduated from there.

I was intrigued by your statement which said:

What a place! What a trip

Excuse me if I read too much into this, but since I did experience Woodstock (Its not a school, its a way of life) for myself, I cant help but ask myself......IS that a trip as in voyage, or ``trip`` as in.....you know....narco-voyage?

Rebecca:

Was the school in Mussoorie you were referring to Woodstock by any chance? I had the opportunity to visit, back in 1985, on a music exchange from KAS (Karachi American School). The Youngbloods were teachers there, as were the Toewes. We had a great time. That was the grooviest school I ever saw - everyone learned a musical instrument, there were classes in western and eastern music, a full orchestra with a massive string section. The students would hang out on their lunch break, smoking cigarettes and playing the sitar. What a place! What a trip!

re: bg
Please BG. You take this Man/Woman aggression thing too far. You tend to look at a section of society (whatever you have in mind) and apply it to EVERYONE.
The plight of woman the world over (to varying degrees in different areas, of course) has a lot to do with not having economic parity. When societies around the world moved from being classless to class based and concepts like ownership, property, wealth were being defined women were not always included.
Aggression is a personal thing, regardless of whether you are a man or a woman and is shaped a lot by your experiences throughout your life.
For example, a lot of men participating on this forum seem to be a lot less aggressive than you, at least judging by their (and yours ;-) replies.
Manipulation is a whole different thing and is also a very aggresive act. You are getting what you want by playing on the others WEAKNESSES.
THere was this guy called Gandhi who taught the world a thing or two about `seemingly` non-aggressive aggression. Everybody`s first look at him evoked the same kind of reaction you have.

regards

i think what i was suggesting was that perhaps omar1974 is not in a position to understand big girls and little women. subcontinental or otherwise. is that clearer? im running short on words so some other time.

re mahvesh
i would really like to hear what you resented about omar1974`s comments.

re slink
welcome back. you have been missed.

``did it ever strike you that desi women cry when it suits them? use it as a crutch to create sympathy and pity when they want or need something? do you think they could possibly be `manipulating` you?``

that is true, probably most of the times. but, lets take it further. manipulation (acting helpless, invoking pity) is a tool of the powerless. i mean, think about what is being invoked -- pity, sympathy -- someone in need of help, someone weak.

(on the flip side, men who have power manipulate business deals and political deals to get more power and more money. powerful men make a great show of their power and their strength. they dont get things done because they are weak and helpless. they get things their way by showing the world what he-men they are.)

also, this kind of manipulation is more effective than direct confrontation. it reinforces the notions of feminity (weak and helpless). and it also reinforces the notion of the powerful, superior, patriarch. (me woman, powerless, you he-man powerful) not only are most women socialized to think that there is no other way, but they also face great resistance if they do fight openly for what they want. of course, the confrontation is worth it. its just not easy.

rebecca..

well written with some lovely lines and a good flow,especially in connection with the river. you obviously have good control over the language.
however, it lost momentum towards the end. whatever happened to arun? it`s left hanging deliberately i`m sure, but in this kind of `simple, fluent` story telling details like `what happened to the guy at the other end of the knife` are generally revealed.
was the reader meant to focus on the character of ganga din? he was enigmatic, hence his actions (what did he do to arun) were enigmatic? was he a personification of the beliefs that make india tick? what were you thinking? do share.

re omer...

did it ever strike you that desi women cry when it suits them? use it as a crutch to create sympathy and pity when they want or need something? do you think they could possibly be `manipulating` you?
of course not. don`t be silly shandana, we all know what doormats desi women really are.

and innocent too...

you turn a few good phrases. but omar1974: i resent that.