Posted on 03/29/2006 10:03:30 AM PST by iPod Shuffle
Eunuchs hold annual congregation in Agra
By Brajesh Kr Singh, Agra: It was a confluence of different sort when thousands of eunuchs gathered here to participate in a twenty-day long annual congregation, which commenced here on Tuesday.
Over 4,000 eunuchs from across the country gathered for the elaborate function, marked by song and dance performances as the general public watched with delight.
The eunuchs dressed in their festive finery bedecked with heavy jewellery, parading through the streets of the ancient city danced to the tunes of popular Bollywood numbers.
Shobha Nehru, a eunuch, comparing the meet to a marriage celebration said that they pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation.
"Like the elaborate rituals performed during marriages, we perform similar rituals here. We pray for the residents of Agra and the entire nation, that they should not face any problems. In our meeting, just as you send out invitations and gifts during marriages we do the same," she said.
Known as "Hijras", in popular parlance, eunuchs are basically males castrated at puberty but are considered as "she". For centuries, the have suffered ridicule and been detested for their different sexuality.
Most of these eunuchs, especially in rural parts of the country, live in abject poverty and complain of being exploited and victimized by middlemen, pimps and contractors, who lease them out to self-styled event managers.
It is estimated that about ninety percent of the eunuchs are living in impoverished conditions, and have almost negligible share in regular occupations.
The main source of their income is dance performances that they do on auspicious occasions--like childbirth or marriage ceremonies-where these people are gifted with cash or sundry items-like clothes, sweets or other items of daily use.
Although, there are no exact statistics available about the population of eunuchs, they are estimated to be about five lakh.
However, in recent years, in India, eunuchs have been asserting their presence in society with some even bidding for high public offices.
Confronting a social boycott, they have grouped to form welfare associations and are demanding right to employment, marriage and also child adoption amongst other things.
Why am I reminded of Madeline Khan in History of the World?
another victim status group wanting acceptance and money?
they should come to MN to fit right in.
LOL...I was thinking the same thing!
Love that tagline!
Who castrates these people?
nard nixers.
Sounds like the eunuchs are getting teste.
I say Nuts to this...
Ping!
This is one convention that won't attract a lot of prostitutes.
In India, eunuch groups kidnap little boys and castrate them. Not common, but is a reported crime. Others are homosexuals who do it themselves.
I'm confused. I thought by definition, a eunuch was one who had lost his jewels.
Is this the next big fad? Will we see a 'doctor to the stars' in Hollyweird who specializes in making fellas into eunuchs?
In India, eunuch groups kidnap little boys and castrate them. Not common, but is a reported crime. Others are homosexuals who do it themselves.
&&
Thanks for the info.
What a disgusting country.
I'm not sure if you could ever really get a rise out of these guys just because the ball is no longer in their court. It would be interesting to see if any criminal transgressions take place on their behalf...In an insanity plea the prosecution would take the position that there's no way they could be nuts, while the defense would argue that they can't possibly be playing with all their marbles.
Will we see a 'doctor to the stars' in Hollyweird who specializes in making fellas into eunuchs?
*
I think that's Hillary's specialty.
Homosexuals indoctrinate kids in a similar fashion too. And not necessarily in India alone.
"I thought by definition, a eunuch was one who had lost his jewels."
Yes, they are semenly jewelless.
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