Rapid and indiscriminate use of Cell phone and 24 hour access to internet and similar devices has become very common for nearly a decade. Not everyone, however, takes care while sending a message or replying or forwarding and clicking the same to a friend, well wisher or a relative. At times, there is an unintentional tendency to treat the other person as a dust bin. Mostly writing a few words is avoided. Sharing and passing the buck take precedence.
Yes, we are mostly supersonic while holding a smartphone and a laptop in a high speed vehicle. Acts of DELETING and owning responsibility for our action do not need our scant consideration.
Element Of Temptation
Temptation to see and browse through the tiny hand held devices is so strong that users do not look up or on the sides. They tend to “carry on” unhindered with their pass time. Inside the Metros and local trains, it is becoming rampant, so much so that while being intensely glued and engrossed, cell users forget, at times, to get down at their targeted destination.
Use of Women For Extortion
More and more young unemployed women are also getting involved in extorting people by using compromising videos recorded on ONLINE messaging platforms. Women are trained to make a call from a Spa or Beauty Parlour to people registered on chat platform and develop friendship. Thereafter, their mobile numbers are obtained and videos of ‘acts’ over Online are recorded. Women on the front are given commission on each extortion transaction. From a raid conducted recently in the NCR region, Rs.13 Lakh was found transferred to a single bank account opened for such a purpose.
IRRELEVENT TALKS
More than adequate talking over flimsy issues ,showing tantrums and often losing temper at spouses, children, girl friends or subordinates, have become common features when we are armed with a mobile phone. A good deal of Noise Pollution is also added to, this way. But the talkers refuse to realise.
Once or twice, it so happens that youth of today dressed in most awkward, figure hugging or exposing dresses, while conversing on cell ,also forget the basic etiquette expected of them in a family get together or a public place. Their concentration level or so to say, being aloof from surroundings, crosses all limits. Many of them are also seen looking restless and moving aimlessly within the precincts of a cabin, during entire duration of their journey by a public transport.
During such phases of absent mindedness, episodes like forwarding a video of obscene or private moments of fellow sex from the campus of Chandigarh University at Mohali may have happened. OR Who knows it was purposely instigated by someone having ulterior motives. The concerned woman has been arrested based on a ‘FIR’ filed by six women stating that the accused had made objectionable videos of them and shared. Police has however, reported that the video in question was not uploaded on any site. Fact remains that out of thirty thousand students, four thousand living in the University hostels have got impacted.
Media Craving
Needless to say, the Chandigarh incident has created an unnecessary irritant or provided a fresh ” masala” to the news hungry electronic media. Not only such scenes carry on without any purpose during major part of a day, they lead to unwanted curiosity as well, on the part of children.
People often jump to conclusions swiftly with the baggage of their preconceived notions. A sort of media trial begins even before collection or availability of relevant clue or material from the” spot” or place of happening by Police. They are authorized by law to take even suo motto cognizance in public interest, if there is apprehension of a possible breach in law and order situation.
ADVANTAGES OF DEVICES
One should not only talk about misuse of cells or such devices. These prove very effective during an accident or natural calamity or in conveying something urgent, say birth of new arrival, departure of a near or dear one or breaking news about a success in an examination or an interview. But how many of us think about positive uses or outcomes ?
Exodus News Brings Anxiety To Parents
Tendencies or messages like the one emanating from Chandigarh not only lead to baseless rumour mongering but also cause exodus of “outsiders” from a locality alien to them. It may be akin to the exit of migrant labourers on the day of Covid lockdown in 2020 or similar episode involving the students from North East studying in Bengaluru, a few years ago. Thus their developing a bond in a new place, due to economic or career interest and consideration goes up for a toss in thin air.
TRIED REMEDIES
To ensure a temporary solution, blocking of internet services is often resorted to by the Government but one can imagine the plight of users, say consumers to producers to traders in states such as J & K or parts of North East in such situations. A measure like this does not work at practical levels as our life nowadays has become so much dependent on this medium that even a power disconnection or Net failure for a minute or two causes tension, breaks the tempo of work and leads to seeking immediate clarifications from the neighbours. We express an urge as to when the “supply” was likely to be restored.
People have become virtual slaves to On Line services so much that they do not wish to venture out and select the objects of daily consumption, which often results into claiming higher prices for the rotten or substandard stuff supplied through a chain of delivery boys. Mind it, they are willing to serve you even at the dead of night for the sake of their livelihood. A number of accidents, however, take place when these boys are forced to respond to calls after calls, both from order suppliers as also service recipients, EVEN WHILE DRIVING or while using stairs and lifts leading to their clients.
It is not that people have no patience BUT they do not wish to exercise the same. They do not mind even if it speaks slowly on their health or leads to confusion, domestic disturbance or even violence, at times.
NEED TO SPARE A THOUGHT
As thinking and aspiring beings, don’t we need to prick our brain and spare a thought in the interest of fellow human beings? There is no harm in speaking to each other during “off” hours with a view to seek authentic information based on experience and also to provide rest and relaxation to the over stressed mind.
Imitation By Youngsters
We should not forget that
what we do as elders, is bound to be invariably picked up by our children. The saying goes that easy and tempting things have more power of attraction. Rather, they are a strong agent to divert ,isolate and alienate.
Learning From Cheetahs ?
Life is beautiful, it needs to be viewed and lived that way. When it comes to adjustment or making compromises, shall we not slow down and try to learn something from the eight Cheetahs of Namibia, who have been brought to a completely new habitat in Kuno National Forest of M.P. subsequent to an eleven hour air journey ? They were flown on empty stomach to avoid any illness. They are also living creatures like human beings but express themselves in a language not usually followed or understood by the viewers or tourists. But research has shown that they also have a social life like human beings and that there is a need to perpetuate the spirit of Co-existence.
In the same way, the modern objects such as cells, internet or OTT impinging on our lifestyles , have to be used sparingly or viewed and weighed properly. Think about damage to youngsters by off shore betting and gaming websites. Such addictions leading to an abnormal lifestyle, provide sustenance to $ 1.5 Billion industry, which is projected to be $5 Billions by 2025.
A life bereft of purpose and peace of mind will have no meaning. Let us think and look for a solution in our own interest.
About the Author : Dr. Aaloc Srivastav, Ex CS , Sikkim is a Senior Retd Bureaucrat and passionate about writing on his favourite subjects . The views shared by the author are his personal.
