Gay abandon

Gay rights may be gaining intellectual acceptance in the western world but many Indians appear to be living in the dark ages intellectually. At a panel discussion on April 26 to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day, a member of the audience had a pointed question for a panel member representing multinational pharma companies. "What are the drug companies doing about incurable diseases arising out of rising instances of homosexuality in India?" he asked. The visibly embarrassed panel member - amid much suppressed laughter from the audience - said he would prefer to answer the question after the event. Last seen, the two were talking on the sidelines.