Experience.

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“When I saw my son on train, I thought I had lost him forever. I was in tears
but within seconds a call from my son reassured me that he was safe. Thanks
to cellphones that I could talk to my son when I needed it the most. ”
Priti Narayan (English Teacher,
Ramjas School)

dent. So, one of the passengers, driving, should be avoided, put-

clicked pictures of the damaged ting jammers on the road can
tail from his cellphone. These lead to serious repercussions. For
pictures were published in the example, Supritam’s case could
next day’s newspaper. have had a tragic ending had his
Authorities too have realized cellphone not worked. Similarly,
the immense help that mobile what about a person who is trav-
phones can be of in today’s hectic ellinin a public transport and
and complex world. Following cannot be connected while trav-
their Mumbai counterparts, Delhi elling even in the time of emer-
Police has now joined hands with gency? There are a thousand sce-
narios where a mobile phone can
“That day I was come to people’s aid.
Sangeeta Sharma, a HR pro-
fessional and a mother feels, “I
supposed to can stay in touch with my son
even when I am working or out
reach the trau- Priti Narayan with her son Siddharth
of town. Mobile phone comes
really handy especially while

ma centre at the CBI to fight corruption

through mobiles. These days, Two Sided Sword
working late nights, when we are
coming home in cabs.”
cellphone users have been receiv- Technology has power that can Instead of putting curbs on
9:00 AM. ing SMS from the CBI through be used in any way. While the technology, the authorities need
which they (cellphone users) can incidents mentioned above show to device a way to change the
However, at complain against public sector
officers who seek bribes. Users
its positive side, mobile phones
have been used for ugly purpos-
mindset of offenders and educate
mobile users. As users, we too
can send their complaints in the es. But even in not so extreme have a role to play in mitigating
7:45 AM I got a form of an SMS to cases like their use in terror negative outcomes of mobile
9968081216/17/18. The name of attacks, mobile phones can be phones. So while we should not
call from Dr the complainant is kept secret.
Delhi Police and CBI have got a
problematic.
A special Rajya Sabha com-
give cellphones to our children,
we must ensure that they
good response within a few days mittee is considering a petition memorise their parents’ cell
Sushma, who of introducing this service. This seeking imposition of ‘reasonable numbers. Also, we must remem-
drive has scared many corrupt restrictions’ on the use of cell- ber not to make and receive calls
explained public sector babus. phones in schools, colleges and while driving.
Moreover, cellphones are other educational institutions, In case there’s an urgent call,

Supritam’s case increasingly being used to send

out important messages to edu-
and by citizens while
driving and in public and
the vehicle must be parked and
the call made or received. We
cate people about various issues. religious places. must also ensure that cellphones
to me. I The United Nations is generating The committee -- under the are kept on silent mode while
awareness about its ‘End poverty chairmanship of M. Venkiah entering a religious place, an
changed and 2015’ programme through SMSes,
which are being sent through the
Naidu -- has requested that jam-
mers/decoders be installed with-
educational institution or a cine-
ma hall. It is important to
SMS GupShup service in India. in schools and colleges as well as remember that cellphones are a
rushed to the Day in and day out such mira- on roads. The committee has also powerful tool of communication.
cles and initiatives keep taking sought a ban on carrying mobile Therefore, all irresponsible
hospital.” place around us and the mobile
phone has become such an inte-
phones to religious places and
public offices. Moreover, to safe-
behaviour or misuse should be
avoided and emphasis should be
Dr. Biplab Mishra (Assistant gral part of our lives that we guard women, it wants a ban on laid on using mobile phones for
Professor of Surgery, J.P.N. don’t even realize their all camera phones too! empowering the society.
impact on the way we live and While it is true that using
APEX Trauma Centre, AIIMS)
communicate. phones in schools, and while [email protected]

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