Should we allow M F Hussain into Mumbai again?

It was purely co incidental that I could get an opportunity to meet the bare footed painter of international acclaim, M F Hussain, at a restaurant I frequented often, close to K C College, near church gate. The year was 1990 when I was working with a franchising company with its regional office situated opposite K C College.

Today, since past 4 years, he is in exile in Dubai in fear of his life resultant of his infamous nude paintings which desecrated the Hindu god Saraswathi. Probably it was unintentional but the damage was done and no art gallery is willing to take the risk of displaying any of his paintings. He is afraid to step in to Mumbai, a city where he use to walk bare-footed all over. MF Hussein was born in Pandharpur, close to Nashik, but he embraced Mumbai as his home long back, nearly 8 decades back. (Hussein is 94 years old now!) He does not know or fails to acknowledge the fact that the political parties rule the aam aadmi psyche now. Opportunism and sheer competition among political class has got the city defrayed on unconstitutional practices with growing intolerance. No, it is not acceptable any longer to condone free speech or freedom of expression through paintings. What, M F Hussein? Definitely he cannot gallop in to the city on his ‘horses’!

MF Hussein came to Mumbai city as ‘absolutely very broke’ young…very young painter to paint film hoardings to earn a livelihood. Neither he believed nor did we that one day he would become so famous with his paintings on Galloping Horses. But the city embraced him just like it did with every citizen who is dropped in the ‘melting pot’ called ‘aamchi’ Mumbai now. MF Hussein should know that he has to come back (if allowed) to a city that is no longer as resilient as it was and there are many shiv sena variants of different colors and names! Even, if the congress in power at the center and the state, the least the political heavyweights can do is just sympathies with him. When they cannot display his paintings, can they give security to him?

But the 94 year old painter wants to come home to Mumbai. Can we welcome him?

Why do we mis-interpret so often?

Very often, our communication with others around us is driven by our thoughts at that moment. We actually form sentences by our interpretation of the situation as a result of our perception.

Did you ever notice that we like some people instantly just as reverse with other people? I have noticed something strange…i.e, we form opinions based on our perception of a situation. Very few are gifted with non-biased perception. They have a clear head.

Reasons for mis-interpretation:

1. Rules -ordered structure of behaviour – we form certain set ways or rules to interact with others. We interact differently with close ones/ relatives while compared with outsiders. Metaphysically these interactions are need based

2.we organise ourselves into groups – Such groups are small or large depending on the proximity of the members, requirements of the members or position of the members in the group.

3. habitual thinking - The strength of these habits, then, has a powerful positive/ negative influence in the direction of accuracy of communication.

4. What we do and say has a high level of predictability,We find that we say the same things to certain people in our lives...like between husband - wife, brothers, parents etc.

5. The capacity to adapt or adjust to others – there seems to be within us a drive to understand, a predisposition to make sense out of what others do and say.Again, these are driven by our indvidual capacity... that decide to adjust or not.

So let’s blog!!

Blogging is becoming more and more popular everyday….I had initiated in 2008 to blog but then I was only wondering. What use is my blog if no one reads it? After being plodded by many (my brother in particular) in the family, I decided to take forward my initiative to its end by natural course... I too became a blogger in this exciting Blog World!

Then, I carefully selected the content of my ‘interests’ in my profile keeping in mind it will perceived as an extension of my thought process by my readers. So, some of my thoughts which are private could not be shared, I realized.  But, at the same time I wanted the readers to gain from their reading my blogs…which could be from my past experience, ideas, opinions or just entertainment. In fact my intention to include film reviews as well link to tamil films in my blog page is to relive the moments of joy as well recommend them for viewing. I am a movie buff whether they are English, Hindi or Tamil ones! Of course, I have to steal from my available time to watch the movies in a cinema on Sundays (with my son) or at home or I generally do it during my business trips (late night shows after dinner).

1. Certainly, Blogs also enable to express my opinion on current issues political whether national or international. This compels me to read the newspapers as often I can…generally done while I am commuting to my office. I try to be unbiased in presenting my version or perception on my blog.

2. I recommend certain products or ideas of commercial interest too…if not done till now, please be rest assured I intend to do it.

3. My topics on ‘Parenting’ are to help people facing similar situations I have gone through or I am going through. I intend to do some reading on this aspect so that I can understand parenting better. I intend to write on health related issues too to add value, if possible.

4. Blogs are wonderful tools to improve writing skills, so I intend to improve on my written content.

5. Yeah, I write blogs to connect with like-minded individuals with whom I can share my opinions. I would request my readers to comment freely on interests of mutual like.

6. I will try to update readers with information to help them think on ‘whole’ issues all over again.

7. I intend to stay active or knowledgeable in many issues. Hence I invite my readers to update me in return by writing fresh information.

8. I intend to stay connected with my family located at various parts of the world…so keep writing or commenting!

9. To have fun, I would blog! To be just creative and imaginative!!

So let’s blog!!

Pleasures of Parenthood

Children are expensive at times and prevent us from doing our own thing.They also demand our time or attention as they consider us as ‘know All’ or experienced having answers to their questions.

But, at the same time, children bring an extra dimension (and reason too) to one's existence, and provide a very necessary foil to our overweening concerns with our careers and ourselves. Yes, we can wear this ‘parenthood’ foil and experience the pleasures of it. Personally, I find it very refreshing and at the same time relaxing to spend time with my kid who is about to enter teenage coming November this year. Also, I listen to his new ideas and interpretation of issues of common knowledge. These issues are more related to sports or common issues pertaining to our lives, family, problems, opportunities etc.

In fact, I found that by considering him as a member of decision making, I can get brighter solutions. No doubt, as it is commonly found, children are much more attached to their mothers who devote more time/ energy to develop as well look after them. Fathers are always preaching and do not ‘give in’ like mothers do!

Lately, I have struck a good ‘friendship’ with my ‘to be teenager’ son and am enjoying the same. We both go to movies often as I am fond of watching movies and so he is too.If I love my child, I learned that I have to express it! Another aspect is… by my listening to him, I found out that he feels important. I write letters to his personal mail ID when I do not have time to talk to him. Just another way of expression or communication of explaining to him the benefits of letter writing.The feeling of being a parent brings great joy, but it is tough job too.Parents are not always 'perfect' and all of us have flaws.There is no 'right way' in which children have to be brought up.There is no such thing as perfect parent or perfect child.
Now I have to be flexible: The rules that I make need not be the same as that of my parents. At the same time, I understand the fact that - what applies to one child need not be applicable to the other. So, I keep my rules flexible and try to spend some quality time with my son. Make sure I give him enough attention when doing other things like reading, walking, playing chess with him etc. I have been trying to go ‘walking’ with my son for long but I am early riser on sunday while he is not. He goes to his bed on weekends late too and always after me. He will be either busy with computer, television or reading too. But, I do not force him as I respect his requirement or decision.

I can say that I am enjoying this parenthood. I realize that I will be required to spend more time, energy as well be resourceful as he grows older. And I look forward to it. Yes, indeed.

Amitabh Bachchan back on TV with 'Bigg Boss 3'

I am glad to note that Amitabh will be back on the small screen in place of Shilpa Shetty in the Big Boss...


"We need to analyse the minds of those on the show and reach out to as many people as possible through it. On eviction day, I will discuss the thought process of that particular contestant,'' Amitabh Bachchan says. "I don't claim to give gyaan or suggest that I can calm things down. My job is only to analyse why people behave in a certain manner in the house.''


Amitabh Bachchan, would be the pop-philosopher with an idea to deconstruct the emotions of those in the house and initiate discussions to keep the audience engaged.


look forward to watching it...

Men lose their minds speaking to pretty women?

It’s now established. Pretty women make men nervous, for a new study has revealed that guys can lose their minds while talking to pretty women. Interesting to note, right?

Researchers in the Netherlands have found that talking to an attractive woman really could make a man lose his mind, a finding they claim may have implications for the performance of guys who flirt with women in the workplace.

According to them, the reason may be that men use up so much of their brain function or cognitive resources trying to impress pretty women, they have little left for other tasks.Women, however, are not affected by chatting to a handsome man -- this may be simply because men are programmed by evolution to think more about mating opportunities, the study found.

In their study, the researchers recruited some 40 male students. Each one performed a standard memory test where they had to observe a stream of letters and say as fast as possible if each one was the same as the one before last.

The volunteers then spent seven minutes chatting to male or female members of the research team before repeating the test.

The results showed men were slower and less accurate after trying to impress the women.The more they fancied them, the worse their score. So, guys should take precaution.

Right?

Michael Jackson...Oh i really felt sad and shocked ...

I am not getting time to write as much I want to.....if i have liked any pop singer other than elvis with his yoddling songs....it is Michael Jackson... Meanwhile these links .......you can browse through

Michael Jackson's last journey

Official website of Michael Jackson

believe me guys...people still feel Michael is alive and hiding from everyone who want to exploit him and earn a fortune through his music.

please write what you felt when Michael died...i was shocked !

Does exposure makes anyone smarter...?

Quite often,  I feel the new generation of kids ( including mine ) are much smarter...then I console myself that their exposure to different situations/ technology are more... that makes them smarter or is the genes ....that decide you are what you are. To what extent... external factors contribute to 'smartness' of a person?

Does it mean the situations should take credit or debit on making the person what he/she is? There are many questions unanswered…if we start adding to a long list of reasons…latest research shows that even the behavior and thinking capability of a person is decided by the genes he or she is born with. So, such a theory does not ensure same 'smartness'  to all exposed to similar situation.

And then, astrologers say that ‘stars’ governing a person decide on a person’s future and the individual is just a victim to vagaries of his destiny etc. But the ‘practical’ and scientism guided individuals say it is cause and effect theory which controls the happening of events in one’s life. But then, every effect is not necessarily preceded by a ‘deciding’ cause!

In the movie “Changing Places”  that stars Eddie Murphy..a comedy as well a parody movie ... resolutely says exposure decides what a person can become.

X board exams..optional?

In a decision that is likely to revolutionise the school education system, the Council of Boards of School Education in India (Cobse) has decided in principle to make the standard X board examinations optional. The alternative it has suggested is a grading system to evaluate students.

Though this will happen only from the year 2010 - 11, I feel relieved to know this. At a tender age of 15 years, the board exams were too heavy a load for the children. Especially, for children who cannot mug before the exams...but are intelligent and innovative ( precisely who can think well ) !

Mostly all schools do have XI and XII standards, so why should anyone take board exams, if he can continue in the same school. The education system should inculcate continuous studying and help in thinking process....a skill required by anyone throughout his / her life.

Will the other boards like HSC, ICSE follow the step taken by CBSE...is yet to be seen.