Mobile phone?

It has been nearly 4 years now since I am using my mobile phone. It was one of the cheapest models available at that time. The sole purpose was to be able to speak to my girl friend, who is my wife now, for prolonged hours. The phone I bought was a basic model 'armed' with a mono colour display, a key pad that had given my finger more pain than my keyboard and a sliver body harder than hammer.


When you live with things, with or without life, for a long time you grow and affection towards them. More so with few among them like a pets, clothes, mobile phones which have become a part of life. And when they near their life, you start forgiving their behavoir/misbehavoir. Consider my phone for example. It has a weak batter, the body paint chipped out, worn out key pad and out of fashion. Perhaps only 1 out of 2 people trying to call me can get through. To the extent my sister and my wife conspired to part me with the phone perhaps by throwing it under a bus.


Once when I was in the queue for security check in the Delhi domestic airport, the guard frisked with metal detector. I switched off the phone believing it is the protocol. The guard noticed my phone, took it in his hand and switched it on and waited patiently till it turned on. Then he looked at my face and exclaimed "yeh chalta hai" (this one works!!!). Despite that humiliation, I continued to use it for many more months



But then all good things have to go. And so will my mobile phone. So I went on a mobile search. Expectedly I had a budget which was around 10 grands. The first shop I reached was "reliance web world". I told the man at the counter to show me the options. I was asked to show the handset I am currently using. I showed him the one I am using which was breathing its last breath. Then the man said "there are two options 777 and 1331". "what is the price of each?" was my obvious question. "777 and 1331" came an instant reply. I clarified myself once again this time with a stress on the word "price". "sir, the price is 777 and 1331". Evidently the man, after looking at the old mobile, guessed I should be give options with are the cheapest. I quickly made an exit

Lesson 1: Mobile indicates something more than the fact that you are connected

I moved to the next store. This time I went on to look at the GSM mobiles. Once in the shop I was overwhelmed by the choices one have. Technologies like bluetooth, 3G, high capacity memory etc... Added to that I there are N number of companies. Some often heard of and some never heard of. Okay by now my head started spinning.

Lesson 2: Technology is moving too fast. If you are not updated catching up is a headache

So I decided to move to a company outlet, hoping that the choice will be less to choose from. The store attendant approached me. From my previous experience realized that I should be telling the person what the price range is before he asks me to show masterpiece I owned. After that the sales person asked a question that I was not ready for.... "What do you want in your mobile phone". For heaven's sake what kind of question is that? My phone doesnt work as it should be. It is more mobile than a phone.

But this time I did not want to sound like I have come from the Ice age. So I thought for a while and told him, that I need a phone which can play good music and has a decent camera. After browsing through the catalogue I ended up buying a Nokia 5610. Tested it in the shop before I took it. All is well.

The next day I bought an Airtel connection and was in high spirits returning home. And why will I not be, a brand new mobile phone, with a red and black graphics, a built in walkman sort of (yeah I am from Ice age) and a camera with a flash. Then I made my first call to my mother. The call wont go thru... Called up again.. aaahaa!!! no way. Low signal. I go to the window put my hand outside to see that the reception is better. Placed a call and put the phone in loud speaker mode. There it is... okay the phone works good

Except, for the people looking at me, I must be looking like an ape in the zoo trapped behind the grill. with a banana in its hand sticking out thru the grill.