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Mobile? Buzz off

In an era of gizmos there are still some who like to keep away from mobile phones, writes R. BALAJI

DIGITAL DEATH Not everyone thinks a cell looks good in the pocket Photo: Bijoy Ghosh

Big things in life come in little packages. So does big trouble. This is one reason why a section of the janta believe they live "hassle-free" lives. The men and women in this particular section do not own cell phones, nor have they felt the need to own one. No one wants the boss screaming into their ears at 7 a.m. after all! And the buzz is there are others too outside this section who think they can survive without the gadget.

Status symbol?

Though this sounds out-of-place in his techno-driven environment, Ashiesh, senior-level software engineer with Cognizant Solutions, says a mobile is more a source of headache than a necessity. He has all the comforts and luxuries that life could offer GenX professionals - a handsome salary, swanky car to zoom around, branded apparel and plush office accommodation at the posh Banjara Hills area. And being in the mid 20s means lots of friends to freak around.

But then, Ashiesh is always the odd man out among his friends and colleagues. The flamboyance of the contemporary youth notwithstanding, the guy does not carry a mobile phone. Not that it is prohibitive, but simply because he detests the very idea of possessing a phone.

"It's not necessary that I have a mobile just because everybody else is having one these days. After all, a decade ago we were all managing things without these mobiles," he avers and feels that if someone wants to reach him, they can always contact him on his landline during the office hours.

But what about after-office hours? "Well, I really do not want anybody to disturb me at home. I like to be left alone to enjoy my private life," he insists.

Indispensable?

Or take the case of Parthasarathy Seshadri, a high-profile marketing consultant of Memory Junction, a company dealing in computer consumables. Seshadri's job involves shuttling between different government organisations to market his company's product.

But he too doesn't feel the need to have the ubiquitous cell phone. "It may be a genuine necessity in the case of some but a mere status symbol for some others," he quips and continues, "Mobile is a necessity for many, but in my case I do not find it useful." According to Seshadri, since his daily interactions are mostly with government organisations, the schedules are planned in advance.

Hence there is really no need for him to acquire a cell phone. But if any client insists on getting his personal number, he makes it a point to leave behind his boss's mobile number!

"I have an understanding boss who doesn't mind attending calls on my behalf. Though over and over again he keeps telling me to buy one, I haven't really found the need to buy one so far," he says.

Cutting down the expenses is also another reason, he admits. But that's a secondary reason for not having one the primary being, "If you are without a cell phone, there's lot of time to enjoy personal time."

G. Bhaskar, a hotelier at Somajiguda, echoes similar feelings. "When you have landline phones at the workplace and home, I don't think you really need one in the pocket," he says.

Now what do the trade pundits make of all these developments? "My customers include auto drivers, electricians, paanwallahs, petty traders besides the well-to-do professionals," says Prakash Rao, who stocks different brands of pre-paid cards at his shop in Himayathnagar.

"So it's all a question of individual tastes, needs and choices that matters when it comes to buying one," he maintains.

As for being labelled "dinosaurs" in the computer age, who cares if being dino means keeping your boss beyond arm's length and out of earshot!

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