Certain things are uniquely Indian: gossip is one of them.  As Indians, we are highly sensitive when we gossip.  We are very happy to indulge in any sort of gossip, and this goes on even in the best of urban centers like Mumbai, in offices, homes, on streets, in buses, in trains and just about everywhere.

In Mumbai, gossip is famously about most of the big film stars of the Hindi film industry, most of whom live there.  Although Marathi is the main language of Maharashtra, no one even thinks big about the Marathi movies or their actors.  A huge amount of gossip is all about the Hindi film actors, and the ways in which they conduct their personal lives.

Gossip, of course, is not confined to the urban centers.  Even the country's best English channels on television, give a huge amount of importance to gossip involving celebrities.  It does seem to become, or has already become, a national obsession.

In reality, gossip is nothing but a huge waste of time.  It does not do any good to either those who indulge in gossip, or to those whose names are at the center of the gossip itself.

In offices, if the boss happens to be a male ( more often than not, this happens) and he happens to be somewhat close to one female subordinate,  all hell brakes loose.  Gossip centers around how close they are, and how they meet.  If the woman involved is married, it even becomes worse.  Gossip then assumes dangerous forms. like for instance, when the gossip reaches the ears of the husband of the woman involved.

He either takes in the stride, as he would have immense faith in her, or simply take it as deeply offensive.  Most marital disputes often take place in such cases.  The best way for any gossip to die a natural death is for the boss to keep a safe distance, and maintain  a strict boss subordinate relationship, but only that.

Any attempt by the man to have a soft corner for the woman, as if sometimes happens when the boss finds that is she is more kind and considerate than his own wife, will invite a huge amount of gossip.  In small towns and semi-urban areas, just one meeting in a private place, by the man and woman, even if were just a meeting, would send gossip to dizzy heights. 

The starting point of all such big gossip is the perceived or real intimacy between the boss and subordinate.  In the case of the woman, she should be even more careful, and not have any feelings towards the boss, even if she some reason to have them.

This author has seen such gossip in big organizations. Literally every single individual, even those at very senior levels, would gossip about the so-called closeness between the boss and his married female subordinate and, in booze parties, it would become worse.  There will be no-holds barred kind of gossip, and sometimes, very cheap one at that.  If the boss and the subordinate were to belong to some other site or department, the gossip will even become personal, and some cunning subordinates only chip to settle personal scores.

Gossip in offices can be easily nullified if the bosses take strict action, or if the CEO practices a good deal of communication with his staff at various levels.  A very strict warning will work wonders.  A good reprimand, in private, of those indulging in gossip, will also put an end to the menace.  If the boss has proof of the gossip, the task would become that much easier.

In society, the gossip about single women who are divorced or are widowed, is the worst form of gossip,  It is really shocking to find that society does not take kindly to such women talking even the minimum with a neighbor, or taking part in some functions of neighbors, to which she is duly invited to.  More often than not, women relatives of the family literally frown upon the presence of the woman, and even innocent inquiries or mere exchange of pleasantries are even mistaken.  Gossip then takes over, making life miserable for such women.

In advanced countries like USA, one is given to understand that the status of single women is very good.  She is treated with respect, and if she is a professional ( most women are), there is absolutely no problem.  However, in India, many women, are merely graduates.

In fact, the remarriage of women is encouraged in some communities in India.  This is a very healthy trend, not merely to put an end to gossip, but in the larger interest of the woman, who would then have the safety of a good social institution.

Gossip about film stars in buses and trains, is always termed as " time pass".  Really?

We tend to forget that our heroes and heroines are just human and, as human as we are.  In fact, the ignorance of this fact, by the so-called stars, of either gender, is the cause of most misery in their personal lives.  It is all a problem of their egos. 

Society would do well to put an end to gossip about film stars.  In public, it is disgusting to note the hugely deplorable levels to which such gossip goes and, the age group of such gossip.

This author has seen even children, as young as ten years old, gossip about film stars, based on some information they normally see on television, or get to read about in the local magazines.  A huge amount of time is spent on such gossip, particularly on weekends.

Parents should keep a watch on such gossip and try to put an end to it, in whatever manner they deem fit.  It is interesting to note that when the man and the woman are both professionals, they tend to spend huge amounts of time, on nurturing special talents of their children in singing, dancing, painting, sports and games and so on.  This is extremely good, and gossip is virtually absent in such families.  The children lead very good socially relevant lives, and do some social work as well.  Of course, their parents do everything to make them understand the values of hard work, discipline, respect to others and so on.  

It is very much in our hands to handle and manage gossip,  We should all agree and understand that gossip will take us nowhere.  Instead, we could enroll in some humor club, and get to laugh a lot.  Or to debate a lot among friends and relatives.  

Gossip management requires a high level of maturity, and we better acquire this, as soon as possible.