Amidst reports of a gradual shrinking of cultural, liberal and intellectual space where books, writers, movies and intellectuals are slowly but surely being silenced, it comes as a pleasant surprise to learn that Mumbai's gay pride march has got the green signal. Today afternoon, the march will begin from August Kranti Maidan, near Gowalia Tank, wind its way to Opera House and then return to the start point.

Initially, the march was denied permission by the traffic cops, but after a round of meetings it has now got the go-ahead. This is a welcome move by authorities, as the march, symbolic though it may be, is becoming a part of Mumbai's ethos.