Image courtesy - independent.co.uk

A tans youth celebrates at a Nepalese pride parade. Image courtesy - independent.co.uk

A couple of months ago, we were left open-mouthed in admiration when we discovered that Nepal had set up post-quake camps for sexual minorities so as to make them feel more comfortable in the aftermath of all the horror. It was a bold and humane move but not entirely unsurprising as since 2006, the small country that sits atop of India like a crown has been becoming increasingly progressive regarding LGBT rights, post ending their maoist civil war in 2006. But today’s news, despite being in the same vein, is truly groundbreaking.According to a report by HRC Global and Pink Pages, Human Rights organisations all over the world have hailed the passage of a new constitution in Nepal on September 17, which provides explicitly protection for LGBT people from discrimination. For those who aren’t completely in the know, this is a step even beyond legalising same-sex marriage and Nepal has become only the 3rd country in the world (joining South Africa and Ecuador) as well as the first Asian country in the world to provide such protection.The articles that have been enshrined to provide these equal rights and freedom from discrimination are articles 12, 18, and 42 of the new constitution. As per the HRC Global report:Article 12 states that citizens will be allowed to choose their preferred gender identity on their citizenship document. The choices available are male, female or other.Article 18 states that gender and sexual minorities will not be discriminated against by the state and by the judiciary in the application of laws. It further adds that the government may make special provisions through laws to protect, empower and advance the rights of gender and sexual minorities and other marginalized and minority groups.Article 42 lists gender and sexual minorities among the groups that have a right to participate in state mechanisms and public services to promote inclusion.While mention of same-sex marriage has been excluded for the moment, most groups championing the cause believe that that this new civil code has laid the groundwork for the eventual legalisation of the same in Nepal."This new Constitution makes clear that we can be proud of our LGBT identities, and that we can be proud citizens of Nepal," said Sunil Babu Pant, founder of Blue Diamond Society and Asia's first openly gay federal member of parliament. "This victory is just the beginning of our long road towards full equality. We are ready to move beyond the discrimination, violence and exclusion of the past, and continue with even greater integrity, responsibility and dedication to contribute to the nation-building process. We will be working together with Nepali and international allies to build our nation, a 'new, inclusive and prosperous Nepal'."While we stand in solidarity with the Nepalese people and couldn’t be happier for their LGBT community as a whole, we can’t help feeling as though India could stand to learn a lot from its neighbour. As the world’s largest democracy, we should be leading the charge against LGBT discrimination, not standing by the sidelines as it happens around us, even as we continue to ruin millions of lives with section 377.