Mobile Mania

Technology development has revolutionized India, particularly in the field of communication. Internet, e-mail & mobile phones are making peoples life easier. Among this, mobile phones have become a mania in India. Here are the few actions of mobile users to support this statement.

If you had keenly watched mobile users, you would have noticed that whether they receive any call or not, yet they used to take out the mobile from their pocket and stare at the screen for a while and  put it back in their pocket again. I am really amazed to see the frequency of the action almost every fifteen minutes. Yes, Indian mobile users love to flaunt their mobile in the public.

No mater how important you are. No matter what important matter you are discussing with the mobile user, his/her attention always drawn towards the call received in their mobile. The moment they receive the call, they never hesitate to abandon you in the middle to attend their call. Once the call is over, you have to begin your discussion from the beginning, as she/he would be in a state of trance after attending the call. Here is a lesson, if you want to be listened properly, try to talk in mobile phone next time.

Employers are the happiest lot to have mobile phones as it helps them to track their employees all the time. On the other day when I was traveling in the bus, one passenger sitting next to me, a mobile in his hand, giving almost a running commentary about his journey by giving exact details of each stop, where he is now and when he would reach a particular point. I presumed that probably he might be speaking to his boss (!).

Mobile users also don’t have any etiquette. Once I was attending a condolence meeting. Large people gathered at a big hall. The whole atmosphere was very calm and serene. From the crowd a middle aged man who was sitting silently for a long, suddenly stood up as if he was bitten by some insect and looked around the hall in a hurry. After few seconds, he was started running to the corner of the hall. I was totally stunned to see his action. Since the meeting was on, I controlled my curiosity. Once the meeting was over I asked the person about his erratic behaviour. Without any embarrassment in his face, he told me casually that he just attended the call on his mobile (!)

While walking on the road, if you happened to see motorcycle riders with their head bent towards their shoulders; don’t think that they are handicapped. Probably they may be attending their mobile call by holding the mobile set between their head and shoulders (!)

 

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Delhi’s Metro

This is a nostalgic memory of Delhi’s metro and how it changed the life of a common man in Delhi.

If you say metro it will certainly bring a pleasant smile on Delhi’s commuters. It is quite natural considering Delhi’s commuters woes before the arrival of Metro. You can easily identify Delhi’s commuters’ ‘mode of travel’ by their appearance. If they are dirty, tired with disheveled hair, looking pale and their dress is full of wrinkles certainly they might have travelled by Delhi Transport Corporation buses (DTC); if they appear pleasant, neat and clean and talk coolly, I am sure they must have travelled by Delhi metro !

Earlier Delhi commuters did not have any alternative than to travel only on DTC buses. Over the years it has got the dubious distinction of Dilapidated Transport Corporation owing to its poor maintenance. By boarding a bus does not guarantee you that you will reach your destination in time. It depends up on the mercy of its conductors and drivers.

Delhi roads are outlived its capacity as the number of personal vehicles are increasing in alarming rate, but the width of the roads are same as it was twenty years back. During peak hours it is very difficult to breathe inside the bus. If you wish to travel in a bus, you must be a multi-tasking personality as you may have to do so many things at the same time. You should be extraordinarily alert to keep your wallet intact. Having a personal vehicle does not mean that you will reach your destination in time as you may have to face traffic jams everywhere.

All these ordeals are over now. Thanks to Delhi metro. Even a poor casual labour enjoying his commuting with air-conditioned comfort. After entering into a metro station I felt as if I just landed into a foreign country. First time it has been proved that even in India public places like a metro station can be maintained spic and span if the authorities really wish to. No spitting, no littering, no begging, no vendors. It is absolutely amazing.

If you miss a train you need not worry. The next one will be coming to you in few seconds. If you are an outsider but want to visit so many places in Delhi, metro is the best bet as you don’t require any guidance. Each and every stop is being flashed on the screen. By mistake if you fail to notice it, you will get the announcement. The one thing I enjoyed about Delhi’s metro is the way it is disciplining the Delhi’s commuters. Yes if any commuter stands on the foot board the train would not move unless he/she clears the spot. While traveling, when I just peeped outside the train, I felt as if I am sitting in a low flying aircraft. No sound, no jerk. Certainly it is a best thing that could happen to Delhi. It is really a technological marvel.

Despite plenty of good things, there is only one disadvantage. Office goers in Delhi may not have any excuse for coming late to their office as they can no longer say that they are late due to traffic jams, road blocks, and diversions. Delhi is known for its monuments and memorials, which attracts large number of tourists. Now, Delhi’s Metro is certainly one more landmark for the visitors. Delhi can now boast of having a metro rail with latest cutting edge technology.

For Entertainment sake

During my childhood  I was in a small village named ‘Konthagai’ which is in South Tamil Nadu, India. Since it was a tiny village, there was no entertainment for us other than playing few outdoor games. No television or video games were there at that time. The only entertainment for us was to go for a movie occasionally.

Unfortunately there was no theater in our village. We had to go to a neighbouring village, which is three kilometers away from our village. Going for a movie for us was not as easy as everybody thinks. After much persuasion our parents used to give their consent so reluctantly, as they knew that it would involve a marathon effort by them. So even after agreeing to take us to the movie, they always would look for some flimsy grounds to cancel the programme by showing our minor injuries, which happened while we play, or possibility of rain on that particular day. Since there was no bus facility available to the neighbouring village, they had to depend on roofed bullock cart (in tamil it is called ‘Koondu Vandi’), which was the cheap mode of transport available at that time.

They had to prepare the bullock carts well in advance to keep it ready for the journey. They also had to make the bullocks in a fit condition and also make them to wear iron shoes. They had to prepare the driver who drives the bullock cart to be available on that day. Many times our journey was called off as the driver failed to turn up on that auspicious day. Once we had to return half the way because the bullocks refused to go further. So many times our entertainment trip happened to be an unpleasant one. But it never deterred our enthusiasm; we always used to persuade our parents whenever we came to know that there was a good movie screened in the neighbouring village.

After few years, a touring talkie was opened in our own village. We thought that it would put an end to all our ordeals and anxiety and also would give a great relief to our parents.

Of course, our parents got a relief, as they no longer required to arrange marathon journey for us. But our joy of enjoying a movie was short lived. We realized that watching a movie in a touring talkie is really a Herculean task. Once we went for a movie, but returned without seeing the movie as the theater owner informed us that since they did not get enough crowd, could not run the show. Once we returned disappointed, as the reels containing the box, which was to come from the neighbouring town, did not reach. Once we gone for a movie for the noon show at 2 P.M. but returned at 2 A.M. as they took lot of time in pasting the reels which used to cut off every ten minutes run. Once we had enjoyed only half the movie as heavy rain interrupted and the whole place became a pool (!)

Now I am amazed to see the developments happened there. Almost every house has telephone and T.V sets with cable connection. They are enjoying the movies at the comfort of their drawing room. Even they demand the movies of their choice. Most of the houses having computers with Internet connection.. Hollywood movies are available through CDs. What a change! Earlier we were running for the entertainment. Now entertainment knocks the doors of our homes.