Whistling in the Dark;21 queer interviews Edited by R Raj Rao & Dibyajyoti Sarma, Review by Johnson Thomas

Book Review
Johnson Thomas
Title: Whistling in the Dark
Sub-Title: 21 Queer Interviews
Edited by R Raj Rao & Dibyajyoti Sarma
Paperback Edition, 264 pages, Price: Rs. 375/-
ISBN 978-81-7829-921-1
Sage Publications
www.sagepublications.com

In 1999 a few former residents and R.Raj Rao, got together to form the Queer Studies Circle, a support group that was concerned with the intellectual , cultural, social and political aspects of being gay in India. They believed, a stage had come, thanks to worldwide propaganda, when homosexuality came to be seen as synonymous with HIV/AIDS and they wanted to veer away from this grim penchant and focus on the celebration of gayness itself. At meetings which were held in the Department of English, University of Pune, they encouraged people to talk so that they could get acquainted with their personal histories.
It was an attempt to put these histories on record and the people who came to these meetings were given pointers about queer sex identities and an attemot was made to find out how each of these people belonging to specific identities, viewed themselves with respect to societal obligations which they may or may not have entered into. The idea for this book took shape during those meetings and interviewees include several people from countries like Canada, Spain, SriLanka, Mauritius and even Iran. They also include MSM’s from plebian society such as auto rickshaw drivers and masseurs. Interviews were facilitated in a relaxed ambience in different locations and over a period of time. The aim was to present the life stories as they actually exist, without vetting or editing them in the interest of propriety. They were also aiming for a work of non-fiction, that like fiction, would be able to sustain the interest of the general reader.
The facilitators were seen to be out gay men, icons, who could be taken to be one amongst them and therefore it was easier to get the interviewees to open up with as much honesty as possible. The writings encompass several issues that have troubled the community over the years. The attempt to start an MA level course on Alternate Sexuality, Naz foundation’s case for repeal of article 377, cultural taboos reinforced by heterosexism, issue of masculinity, patriarchy, paedophilia, the metaphor of third world colonization, AIDS, the use of condoms, religion and sexuality, the use of aliases among gay men and lesbians and homosexuality in prisons are some of the issues that find prominence in the writings that have been chosen to be among the 21 queer interviews entrenched in this book. Co-editor Dibyajyothi Sarma was also responsible for the incisive probing that lead to the thought provoking narratives that have been included in this book. These narratives go beyond the commonplace and conventional, providing a rare insight into the private lives of people, some of whom were( at some point of their lives) forced to live their true lives in hiding rather than leave themselves open to the ridicule of society and imprisonment due to the antiquated laws of our country. This book is a revelation of sorts for those who have little understanding of issues that arise due to unconventional sexual preferences. It can also be a useful resource for PG students, academics and any and everyone who has an interest in humanity and social welfare.
Johnson Thomas( johnsont307@gmail.com)

About the Editors

R Raj Rao: A professor in the Department of English, University of Pune, India, he is the author of the cult novel ‘The Boyfriend’ which has also been translated into French and Italian. He has another novel all set for release called ‘Engineering College Hostel.’
The cult film ‘BomGay’ was based on six of his poems. Rao is the public face of Indian Gay writing all over the world.

Dibyajyoti Sarma: He wrote his M.Phil thesis in Western Queer Theory and how it differs from Indian Queer experience. His book of poems ‘Glimpses of a Personal History’ and published in 2004. He is also working on his first novel.

Gender Stereotypes in Corporate India, A Glimpse, Book review by Johnson Thomas

Book Title: Gender Stereotypes in Corporate India
Sub-title: A Glimpse
Author: Sujoya Basu
Response, Business Books from Sage
ISBN 978-81-7829-851-1
Pages :219 Price: Rs.270/- Paperback Edition
www.sagepublications.com

Author Sujoya Basu’s infinite curiosity as to why a large number of Indian women did not make it to the managerial cadre led her to a research and investigation that encompasses this book titled ‘Gender stereotypes in corporate India’. Firstly, She reviewed literature on western management which seemed to suggest that most negative outcomes for women managers in organizations right from inception to progression could largely be a consequence of the inaccurate perceptions regarding women managers. This led her to a comparative study of the Indian management scenario, looking into the exixting perceptions regarding women managers in India, what led to those perceptions and whether those perceptions or stereotypes could be altered to bring about a positive change in organizations. Three studies addressing each of these issues- the first giving a set of managerial gender stereotypes held by men and women in India, the second looked at the antecedents of inaccurate managerial gender stereotypes while the third helped verify whether having women managers in organizational task situations help change inaccurate stereotypes in organizations. The effort is laudatory. This has never been attempted in India before and Sujoya Basu, a member of the faculty of Behavioural sciences at the Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata, India, should get due credit for her singular effort in clearing out the cobwebs regarding gender stereotypes in Indian corporations. Sujoya hopes to make this book a bridge that could fill in the gap that exists in the Indian gender management scenario. Her findings are important in that there is now a record on inaccurate perceptions and stereotypes that divided genders in Indian Industry. This book will help corporates manage their human resources in a much more dignified and humane manner, giving equal respect and providing equal opportunities to both genders. This book also has implications for educators, trainers and society in general. There is no doubt that gender stereotypes have affected the very fabric of the society we depend on for the past decades. It is time now to confront those very perceptions with facts, introducing a greater deal of understanding regarding a very intricate issue of capabilities viz-a-viz gender.

Johnson Thomas