A Case Of Exploding Insults by Mohammed Hanif

Currently I am reading the latest book 'A Case Of Exploding Mangoes’ by Mohammed Hanif, published by Random House India. Indeed the book is really a good read with a dark and subtle political humor BUT there's one thing that has put me off and that is the derogatory language used against the two great singers of India: Asha Bhonsle and her sister Lata Mangeshkar. The scanned page is given (page 81) . Incidentally this man, the author had been a Pakistani pilot officer, such a language is not expected out of an intellectual who claims to have worked with top newspapers and magazines around the world including a stint at India today as well. Mohammed Hanif must apologize and I wonder why there has been no objection yet? And I also wonder how this manuscript was given an OK by the content editors of the publisher?

MATURITY

Today while carrying on with the mundane things of my life, I was pondering over what is meant by maturity. What is the real maturity? It’s common for people specially colleagues to brand each other immature or kiddish. But how do we define maturity? Dictionary defines maturity as “fully developed; ripe; adult” but I feel there are two things rather two very commonly misused words behind the entire confusion- ‘childish’ and ‘childlike’. Lets checkout how does the dictionary defines them- childlike means “like a child, as in innocence, frankness, etc.; can be confused with childish” and it defines childish as “puerile; weak; silly; therefore refers to characteristics that are undesirable and unpleasant: childish selfishness, outbursts of temper.” Most of the time people use them as synonyms.

For most, maturity or ripeness directly means sitting and brooding in a somber state, or to be lost in a pensive mood. People who enjoy life, who cheer at the first rain of the season or simply who are extroverts are often tagged immature by the society.

 

But my views differ here, I feel maturity is not just indicating everyone that you dislike being in a cheerful mood or gloom is your favorite emotion of all the seasons; the real maturity is reflected in the decisions one takes and in the time management skills of a person. If one is joyous and puckish but manages to pull on his life well without having pettish problems to bother him, if he makes thoughtful decisions and has the courage and dexterity to make gains out of calculated risks, if he remains unperturbed under pressure then I feel such a person is really mature.

Being mature is definitely not about somberness and gloom; it’s not about being serious always and to sneer on the cheerful people. Being childlike and being childish is poles apart. 

whats your WHY???

Today just like that, I was struck on a point that got me pondering. What should be the most important premises on which a life should be based? I feel they are following two things:

One is a vision, a purpose to live for. Clinging onto a hope gives us a direction to go towards, and makes us sail easily. In the words of the philosopher Fredrick Nitzche “He who has a why can cope up with any how”. I strongly believe in this thing. Rhonda Byrne (author of the best-seller ‘The Secret’) also stresses on the same point, although she as assigned a different term for this- she calls this the Law of Attraction. She says that if you aspire for something and cling to a hope, it comes true primarily because of the positive energy. But here I mean one must have a reason to live, a clearly defined ‘why’.

The other one I feel is a positive frame of mind. If one is depressed or is a pessimist he will definitely be in a constant search for a shoulder to cry upon and such a mental state of people can be used to some unscrupulous advantage by others. A fearful mind is vulnerable to problems. On the other side, a positive and open mind is receptive to new ideas and can handle new situations easily.

Well, I don’t wish to be didactic but these are just my random thoughts.

A tag and an award!!

hiii!

I am presented with the Happy award by Sankoobaba. Thanks a lot for this honor :)

Along with this award, here are some rules.

Rules of this award:

1  Link to the person who gave it to you,

2. List 10 things that make you happy,

3. Pass it on to 10 happy bloggers.

4. Notify the nominees about this Happy Award.

So here is the list. These things make me happy!!!

1. I love animals especially puppies and cats bring an instant smile on my face :)
2. Gol-gappe  :P  *
3. Drawing and painting  :)
4. Reading on diverse topics  :)
5. Writing  :)
6. Colorful handicrafts- simply colorful art. Skill and design combined :)
7. Clicking photographs of nature and animals.  :)
8. Discussions and debates on varied topics  :)
9. Greenery and flowers **  :)
10. Smiling babies :)

* An Indian snack eaten with spicy water. also known as 'pani poori'.

** Unplucked ones. I hate plucking flowers.

Since this is a fun tag, whoever wishes can take it from my  blog!