Which one for you: Munni, Shiela or Chameli?

What could be more off-putting than beginning your day with a cheesy-sleazy number!

When I woke up, that day, by beautifully warm sunrays spotting directly on my face, I was expecting more from the day. However, when I got ready and boarded the cab to get to the airport, the cabbie turned on the radio and I was greeted by “Chikni Chameli”. I asked the cabbie to turn off the radio immediately.

Whatever happened to healthy entertainment! First, Shakira shakes her hips, then Britney pulls off her clothes and now its Munni, Sheila, and Chameli who have turned into our in-house Shakira’s?? And as I write this, there is another cheesy number that is struggling to grab our attention - Shalu. What I don’t understand is why such numbers are being promoted. Do they provide enough entertainment value that we put our kids growth at stake? Its really depressing that most of the parents don’t even realize the lethal impact such stuff has on their innocent little kids?

Is this kind of music created for adults, I ask? Then don't you think that adults can go anywhere and do whatever pleases because they can make a conscious decision but its the "young kids" who are cognitively and psychologically defenseless. They don’t understand the notion of intent and hence can’t shun away such provocative material because they simply don’t know the definition of provocative. They are amused by anything and everything that is being screened before them.

I remember having been to a friend’s son’s birthday party who was barely seven years old. The kid demanded for “Munni” to be played and all the kids merrily enjoyed dancing to that song. Now, did the children understand what that song was all about? Of course, not. They were only dancing to the beats. Couldnt it have been replaced with any other song?

If your daughter continues to watch such scantily dressed lasses readily being appreciated, then don’t be surprised if she would like to grow up to be a hooker or maybe an item girl. If we don’t want our kids to be inundated with thoughts like “growing up to be a responsible adult is not cool,” then we should provide them with a healthy environment where they could develop their values and ethics. Don’t you think we have enough trash already? Please stop promoting such sexual material and set an example before your kids. Remember, they will follow you and your values.

And you Katrina - I know you can’t act one bit but stop doing such numbers. Don’t you realise they are typecasting you. I know you can do better.

Social Networking

First of all apologies for not posting lately and warm wishes for the New Year.

“By persistently remaining single a man converts himself into a permanent public temptation.” I guess this is equally applicable on women as well.

Facebook is a great platform to keep in touch with your old and new friends as well as ex-colleagues. But sometimes it becomes difficult to recall people by their name or by their miniscule profile picture. In such cases, you’re left with two options, either rely on your mutual friends or ask them shamelessly to refresh your memory. I choose both just to be on the safer side.

I did the same when I received that friend request. Looking at the huge list of common friends, I convinced myself that I must have met him briefly but failed to register in my memory. By the way, that happens with me all the time, I keep meeting new people and then conveniently forget them, only to be embarrassed on my subsequent encounter(s). To be honest, my brain considers almost everybody as ‘unimportant’ unless they stand up to tell me how vital their existence could be for my survival.

Anyhow, let’s go back to the topic at hand. He responded that he couldn’t specifically remember when he met me, but it must have been a long time ago. I gave him the benefit of doubt and allowed him to be a part of my friend list, deferring the further interrogation for a later time.

Only a couple of days had gone by when he dropped a message inquiring about my workplace.  The message fell on deaf ears. A few days later, he initiated a chat on FB. Here is how it went:

He: Hi, How are you?

I find this question a little stupid. Just by asking this question, you do not become civil and you do not get the right to ask questions about my personal life. Besides, if you’re a stranger to me, I would never tell you if I am not keeping well. Even if I do, will you really be bothered? On the contrary, if you’re a close friend, you wouldn’t need to ask this question because I will tell you myself if I am not keeping well.

Me: Surviving and you?

He: I am good. Where do you work?

Me: I still don’t recall meeting you. When did you work at xyz organization?

He: From 20xx through 20yy.

Me:  Oh! I had not even joined in 20yy. Clearly, I’ve never met you.

He: It’s alright. We can know each other now. Where do you work?

Me: I heard once, “Repeating something twice doesn’t mean it will be heard. It merely reeks of desperation.”

He: Oops!!

Me: It feels I am being interviewed. Is it so important for you to know where I work?

He: No, you’re not being interviewed. Let me know ask you more important question then.

Me: ??

He: Are you single?

Me: Excuse me! I thought it was a social networking site.

He: Just asking out of curiosity.

And I thought asking about the marital status was a personal question.

Me: Nope, married with two kids.

He: Wow! You don’t look like.

Me: Yep, looks are deceptive. I belong to the remote areas of Rajasthan so they got me married when I was five. I hope all your questions have been answered. Do you mind if I take your leave now?

He: Just one more.

Me: Shoot.

He: Who is the father to the kids if I may ask?

Me: That’s a sad story. He left me when I was 10. So, I am still searching for the ‘right’ father.

He: I could understand if it was only one kid. You have two, and you’re still looking for a father? By the way, I am good with kids.

Me: O yea! Go find kids for yourself then. Why chatting with me. Let me go find the father.