Life over coffee

Namaste, chai-buddies, I'm Priya. The daughter of a household where - people dressed as women are the pillars. No, they're not the ones you see on street corners anymore, clapping and singing. Thanks to online education and the opportunities it brings, we've all found our paths. Some of us even speak multiple languages. We work in different fields, striving to make our mark. But despite our progress, our neighbour Shanta Aunty still sees fit to label us as "chakkas." Design by me, Quote modified from Internet! I'm 10 years old, just like my friend Chintu, who attends a prestigious school. We're friends, but it's a secret. His father believes I'll contaminate him if I get too close. Ironically, I'm the one who helps Chintu with his homework after school so that he doesn't need expensive tuition. And I'm the top student in my school, winning district-level chess contests. My dream is to become an IAS officer when I grow up. But life isn...

A: Hey Barbara. 😊 B: Hey Anne! What's up! How are you? 🌸 It's like ages we haven't played together.  I also got to know that you haven't been to school for over a week now. I was on my field trip last week and was caught up with so much homework that I couldn't come over. But it's great that I bump straight into you while I am coming over to your place. So, am I invited over for some cookies 🍪? Or are you going somewhere? To the Market🛒? May I accompany you? I can also pick up some stuff for myself and we can talk on the way.  A: Barbie dear! I am so glad to see you again as well. And I have lots to confide in you too! I think instead of home, it would be great if we could be outside. Market would be perfect! 🌈👍 B: Anne, you sound quite grave. Well then, let's head to the market. And you tell me everything alright. There's nothing we cannot solve together.  💪 Photo by Kat Smith A: Sure Barbie. It's just that - it's about school and Mrs....

Are you an LGBTQ+ student who is passionate about pursuing higher education? Do you long for a supportive and inclusive academic environment that celebrates your identity and offers research opportunities in LGBTQ+ studies? Look no further! In this blog post, we present a curated list of universities around the world that actively focus on LGBTQ+ research. By choosing to study at these institutions, you can not only further your education but also contribute to the ongoing progress and empowerment of the LGBTQ+ community. Let's dive in!  🌈🎓 Photo by Rodolfo Quirós 1. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Williams Institute USA 🗽: Situated in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, UCLA's Williams Institute stands at the forefront of research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy. As an LGBTQ+-friendly university, UCLA fosters an environment where students can explore their identities while engaging in groundbreaking research that drives positive ...

Hello, my dear Chaibuddies and fabulous readers of these chai-pe-charcha topics! 🌈 Are you ready to dive into a topic that combines cool, trendy vibes with important insights? Today, we're shining a spotlight on LGBTQ+ students as they navigate their journey through high school and college. It's the Pride month after all! Whether you're in high school or college, it's crucial to understand the unique challenges and experiences that LGBTQ+ students face. So, let's embark on this journey together and explore how we can support each other on the path to self-discovery and acceptance 💝. Photo by Alexander Grey 1. LGBTQ+ High School Experience - Embrace Your Journey Being an LGBTQ+ student in high school can be a very challenging yet an exciting adventure. It's essential to understand that sexual orientation and gender identity are not just trends or phases but inherent aspects of who we are. Let's break down some key points to help you navigate this formative ...

 Hello and welcome back my dear Chai buddies! In today's blog, we will introduce LGBTQ+ schools in India which truly focus on embracing inclusivity.  Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash Schools play an important role in imparting not just education but creating a space for holistic growth for a person. It prepares a person for life by shaping one's perceptions and personalities. Bullies, or assaults in one's formative years at school plays a huge role in scarring one's memories for life. Therefore schools need to be safe and inclusive. If one seeks to build a truly inclusive and tolerant society, it's a great effort if one gets such inclusive experiences at schools itself. Making great rapid strides towards progress, day in and day out, India is shining brightly in the global economic sphere. And Indian schools are upgrading themselves to prepare the youth for a global future. But, what has received far less attention than it should have, is the case of LGBTQ+ in...

#PeopleforPride: My Uniqueness is my Pride - It Can be Yours too  Hello and welcome back my chai buddies. Since my return to India, a sight that has pretty much troubled me was the plight of transgenders on the streets. As a matter of fact, it seems like all transgender people are assumed and expected to be beggars by general perception. Since 2014, India has been making several significant reforms and provisions for providing jobs to transgenders and ensuring their access to higher education as well. Perhaps that’s the reason why we have noteworthy personalities in various fields like : Joyita Mondal and Sathyasri Sharmila in the legal field Prithika Yashini in the defense area Manabi Bandopadhyay in education However, after going through the case of Sabi - an ex-naval employee who decided to open up and accept her sexual orientation as a transgender the scenario doesn't look very encouraging at all in India despite  a report  stating the Indian Army's inclusive nat...