Mobile phones and my train journey!
Before getting into My Diary, the contents, a quick question: Are you a Mobile Phone User?
I know this question is absurd. Mobile phones have become a part and parcel in the life of urban 'elite'. The answer for this question is obvious : A resounding "YES". So, putting this question to the urban elite like you, is certainly absurd. But, I am firing this absurd question only with a purpose!!
Let me ask a sensible question now : Do you disturb others with your Mobile?? I am afraid, the answer for this question too might be "YES". Knowingly or unknowingly, we do disturb others through our Mobile.
A month back, I boarded a train at Chidambaram bound for Chennai. It was a day-time train fondly called as the 'Day Express'. The total journey time was 6 hours. Not having the mind to kill the day in travelling, I had decided that I would spend the time reading a book on Yogic Wisdom to Life Management by Swami Sugabodhanandha (yes, the author of the famous tamil book 'Manase Relax Please').
The train started and I opened the book. There were around 30-40 people in the open compartment. I had just started reading... completed not even a single page. One of my co-passengers picked up his Mobile and called someone dear to him. The conversation started... The person was blessed with a baritone voice. He started with "hmm, train Chidambaram thandidichu..." He discussed a lot of subjects, including enquiries about the day's menu at the other end "Enna Sambaar Innikku??", about someone who suffered a minor illness a long time back - "Raju Kaalla rendu masathukku munnadi adi pattudhe, ippa thevalayaa?" or enquiries about family members "onga son Americala vera job mariyaachaa?" the celebration of some or other religious festival. He went on speaking in the loudest possible voice, perhaps assuming that the person on the other end could not hear him properly if he spoke in normal voice! My mind preferred hearing his conversation than reading the excellent book on hand!
After nearly half-an-hour, his mobile conversation ended. I started reading the book. But, that experiment was short lived. In my opposite row, a very good looking girl was sitting. Her mobile started ringing. Her conversation lasted for nearly an hour, interspersed with giggles, whispers and episodic screams. Though she did not speak in a louder voice as the previous caller did, I could still make out what she spoke! My eyes were on the book, but my mind was centered on her conversation (by the bye, she is a doctor-in-the making doing IIIrd year MBBS in KMC. Info source courtesy : Her mobile talk with someone on that day!).
This way, I successfully completed my six hour journey without reading even a single page (but heard the one-sided conversation of several people and thereby gauged their moods). You might think, the mistake lies on my part - overhearing the conversation of others. But, as human nature goes, we tend to do that only.
There can be no denying the fact that the invention of mobile phone is a boon, helping us communicate with anyone, anytime, anywhere. But, should this not be put to judicious use in such a way that it does not disturb others? Certainly, Mobile phone was not invented for enquiring "innikku enna saambaar" from a public place, in a loud voice.
From your landline phone, you may talk with anyone leisurely on a loud noise in your house. But, the same need not be done on Mobile. Whenever, you need to make a call or you receive a call in mobile at a public place, make sure there is enough distance to keep the content private. You may even move to a corner and talk in a husing voice. Be considerate to the people standing or sitting near you. Moreover, by making others listen your conversation, you are giving out details about you. And next time you find yourself in a public place, watch the reaction of non-mobile users to those who speak loudly in their Mobile phones...
The popularity of mobile phones has created a 'mania' that people tend to take out their mobile the moment they settle themselves on the seats in buses or trains and start making unnecessary calls. Do not fall under that category. Use your mobile phone as judiciously and quietly as you can. Mobile technology would really prove to be a boon.
Shall I ask the same two questions now - Are you....??
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Bala
P.S: I intend to post the excerpts from my columns in Youth Express in the forthcoming posts ..
5 comments:
First, you cant expect everyone to behave like you. If the mobile phone was used by the train driver, then it is totally wrong. But as a passenger one can definitely talk for hours with their beloved ones. If this really annoys you a lot, you can practice listening to music by using ear phones which will take you away from these disturbances. Use the technology (mobile phones) to the extreme to make your beloved ones happy. Finally, it is a mobile phone and not a police control room phone to make our conversations very short and say over... over... :-)
Nice Article Bala..Next time carry one Mini "Mobile Jammer" device with you.,
This is an interesting article. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Guest & Durgaram for your comments. I have received feedback through emails too. Thanks to all!
Bala
Antha ponnu adress theriyuma, annae?
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