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“KISSING UP A STORM”

So my mind likes pondering about almost anything and everything and goes without saying that this was an interesting bit for that purpose.

The ‘Kiss of love’ campaign definitely got the attention just as the intention was. I’d received fun messages from my friends around the globe prior to the event as I was the one in the city where the event was to happen. And I also got messages later enquiring if I was fine J (Yes. I was absolutely fine as I couldn’t make it to the event.)

In France couples are paid to kiss in public to boost the image of the country as a romantic place. In India, displays of affection trigger such immediate outrage. When people fight in public, or spread violence, there isn’t much happening. Intriguing.

Another interesting thought that crossed my muddled mind - Why is it that kissing in public is objectionable and pissing in public is not? Is it because it’s an Indian thing for men to do it in full public view?  There’s no doubt it’s a very Indian thing.  I don’t know of other cultures that have this habit, so perhaps the cultural appropriateness makes it all right. (Or maybe I’m just being unaware. Possible.)

We, Indians, prefer to be intimate behind closed doors, which is alright too. We are a shy and "cultured" lot, with good moral values, or so we would like to believe. We hate to come across as inappropriate. But by and large we all suffer from a sense of anguish for what boils within us when we get no outlet and tend to break into fits of seething rage when we see others getting away with it. (If that weren't the case, Chetan Bhagat books wouldn't sell this well :P)

People kiss. Let's not deny it. If and when people do kiss, they often do as if it is the most natural and wonderful thing in the world, a celebration of love! Perhaps this token of affection is to share, for prying eyes or not, this veritable happiness, cushioned by the utmost sense of freedom and independence that they feel in the warmth of the company of the other.

Actually, I think it’s a good idea to focus on Indian tradition. After all, we have many good things there that we have forgotten about. There is one that I like - Swayamvar – choose your own husband, or, in today’s context, choose your own partner! What if we were to bring this forgotten but time-honoured tradition back and all women chose their own partners? Just a thought!

How intolerant we are of love and so acquiescent about rape and violence in this country?
Why does it bother us to see people kiss in the same open space where crime, corruption, sadness, squalor and depravation is seen and felt and almost allowed to flourish on a day-to-day basis? 
Why has our society grown so comfortable breeding morality in this quagmire of duplicity?


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