Advantages of mobiles outweigh disadvantages

Shaik Anwar Ahamath - UK

It is heartening to note that the man responsible for the mobile communication phenomena, Sir Arthur C. Clarke, resides, none other than in Sri Lanka.

What Sir Arthur probably had in mind was an excellent, economical, practical and brilliant mode of communication within and between continents by the simple device of bouncing radio waves off geo-physical stationary satellites (GPS) in orbit around the earth.

But, man being the animal that forever improves and adapts, uses these principles to bounce radio waves off cells situated at strategic points in towns and villages locally. By using relays and the GPS satellites, anyone on any point on earth is able to contact another on any other point on earth. Marvellous or what?

At first glance, this extent of communication capabilities cannot be seen as of any use to anyone except the military, international conglomerates or spies. But man developed mass appeal and a use that has now become a necessary evil.

You have reported there are 7 million mobile phones in Sri Lanka, in a potential user population of about 14 million.

That makes it more per capita usage than in UK or USA, second only to Japan. This level of popularity makes it economical to produce and its relative cheapness is the reason the mobile phone, its low operating costs, renders its evil reputation as some of the nouveaux riches do not know how best to use them.

I happened to be walking behind two schoolgirls, wildly gesturing and deep in conversation on their mobile phones. As the conversation progressed, I realised that they were talking to each other.

I was in a cinema the other day and besides the usual annoying ring tones and the subsequent 'Hi, I am in the cinema' shouts, one customer was actually photographing what was being shown on the screen.

People going to work or returning home, invariable find it necessary to make a call just to tell them that they will be there in 2 minutes.

But the plus side of mobile phones greatly outweighs its annoyance mode. My sister, with 4 sons and umpteen adult grandchildren is forever in buses visiting one or other relative.

Without her mobile phone we'll never know her whereabouts at any one time. Now all it needs is a call to her from our land lines.

The CNN television channel has a remarkable slot for viewers to post own video images of news items happening on their doorsteps.

I have seen many vivid graphic images of bridges collapsing, hurricane and first hand pictures of students shooting fellow students in USA.

With the mobile phone my local tuc-tuc driver has become a radio controlled taxi service operator without the expense of having an office, staff or premises. He gives his number to everyone he meets and to his clients. With his courteous service he is assured of repeat business and convenient as he can pick them up from wherever.

The cellphone technology is being used on somebody I know, to monitor his heart rate, thus eliminating the need for fruitless visits for checks.

Local boating enthusiasts and fishermen no longer need heavy and expensive radio transmitters to alert coastguards if they are stranded or simply to ask for directions.

The fishermen are also doing away with fish auctions on the beach falling prey to unscrupulous mudalalis employing price cartels. The fishermen now use their cell phones, while still at sea, to sell their catches directly to the bulk buying hoteliers and agents by-passing the mudalalis.

The misuse of mobile phones and its inherent annoyance can be attributed to its availability to all and sundry at a remarkably cheap price.

On a humorous note (I cannot vouch for its authenticity) I was told about a chap giving his mobile phone number to the maternity hospital where his wife had been admitted, to let him know as soon as the baby arrives. However, complications had set in and the hospital had called:

"Hello, is that Mr. Sirisena?"

"Yes."

"Your wife has developed complications."

"Well"

"Tell me, is this her first child?"

"No, this is her husband."

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Mobile a must

Dhammachariya Wilson Nelumdeniya.

There is a public opinion that the mobile or the hand phone should be prohibited among schoolgoing children as it is being used in a reckless manner, which is sometimes harmfully to them as well as to others. It is not only schoolchildren but damsels and youths also use it in such a way which irritates others.

As an example, I would like to put up in black and white an incident that happened in a train while I was travelling from Colombo Fort to Moratuwa. I saw a girl was engaged in a call from Colombo Fort. When I got down she had not finished the call.

She was so engrossed in her conversation that she didn't even realise where she was and it caused inconvenience to the other girls, who were with their parents on the same seat. This train was very badly crowded and even the other passengers were watching her but she did not notice.

There is another incident which I noted while I was travelling by a bus from Panadura to Colombo. Just passing Wellawatta I heard a girl shouting saying "(Thamuseta mokatada mang yana dihae) why do you want to know where I am going" (Mang mechchara vela ivasuwa) I tolerated too much" and so on.

After a few minutes she took her hand phone and told somebody, "a boy who is seated on my seat is troubling me by asking me questions and told that the bus is passing Bambalapitiya, and kept the phone, after sometime. She got a call back. She replied I am just closer to Kollupitiya. The boy then slowly got down from the bus.

The other incident saved a life of a villager, was thus a person in a remote area, was walking to his home through a jungle path. A wild elephant has been chasing him. He had no other way to escape but to climb a tree.

What happened was the said elephant has come up to that tree and it was not moving. Not knowing what to do, he recollected the mobile which was in his pocket, and was able to give a message to one of his relations. A crowd of people came there and chased the elephant and saved that person. This matter was in the media.

Now it is upto you to decide whether a mobile is a must or not.

In ancient days our kings used sword to fight against the enemy. It is not used to cut jack fruit. (Yudayata nethikaduwa kos kotantada?) This says a sword is necessary for war and not to cut jack fruits.

There are many things in the world which could be used for the welfare of the people. For instance we say a doctor prescribed some medicine with instructions, 1 tablet each after dinner. If one takes more tablets or several times a day what will happen. It is not because that the said tablet is bad, but because it is not taken according to the doctors instructions.

Like wise, the mobile could be used for the safety or destruction of someone. As such mobile is an item similar to a sword sharpen both sides anybody who uses a mobile should know to use it for the welfare of the uses as well as for the others.

A mobile has become a must in this world but the user must be advised on how to use it. Schoolchildren should be allowed to use a mobile under the instruction of the teachers and parents but it should not be allowed inside the school because the children are safe in school with teachers. They can carry it on their way.

As such I request any parent who could avail a mobile to their children could do so if they are at least over 6th standard.

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How long can we depend on technological discoveries?

Tilaka Fernando

Life seems to be exciting but will a mobile destroy your leisure and health and the human touch, which is so vital to build and maintain healthy relationships with a fellow human being?

Whilst fully agreeing with so many writers that mobiles are useful to communicate, I must endorse that it certainly is a necessary evil. As I share a few thoughts, I am sure many will agree and wake up to reality!

Just consider if not five years ago even three years behind us!!!! Couldn't we manage with our land phones, to receive calls and have cosy chats now and then to whomever we wish? Didn't children too enjoy this facility to exchange views on studies with their friends? For many of us I am sure, even a land phone began to be a luxury item and is even now. Why? This too has become costly? Then how come in addition to our existing land phones everyone of us still yearns for a mobile?

One of the reasons we all could identify with is the never ending yearning to be satisfied.

As our needs especially to keep up with the "joneses" increases surely evil is bound to increase! Evil drives folks to want more and more and this thirst for more is something that will never ever end.

Therefore, evil too will continue to be on the rampage! If we pause to think "now" what one should do to take control of one's self and how one can control his environment, then there is still hope for one and all.

I would like to share some thoughts from real life experiences why I consider mobiles and connected devices do contribute to be a menace in the workplace.

VBPs (very busy people) who once relaxed whilst being in the midst of meetings or even in their homes out of work, are today inundated with sms's and in addition are distracted with responding to e mails via their 'blackberry's.

We continue to assure ourselves that someone else will grab a business opportunity or we need to be mindful of time differences and so VBPs have no time for their families nor do they care about someone, who once could manage the affairs of the workplace.

The human touch and wanting to relate with another human is less important and the instrument in the VBPs hands has taken priority.

It is sad that working with machines is preferred to the warmth of relating to people. The culture today is "me, my mobile, my blackberry and my business? It is left to see for how long man can depend on these so-called technological discoveries?

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Matured people should be allowed to handle mobiles

Premaratne Dodangoda

Mobile phones are useful to people of every walk of life. This handy apparatus can be used at any time any place when necessary. But we should have certain amount of limitations in using it.

It is not fair to use them at places like hospitals, libraries or religious places, where silence should prevail. Any item used indiscriminately will bring about harmful results and therefore it is always advisable if those using cellular phones would think of the time place and the necessity for using it.

Hence, it has to be thought twice before allowing the children in grade six classes to use mobile phones. Today students in higher grades use cellular phones for warious purposes such as to pass messages, to communicate with fellow students and friends, to listen to news and songs etc.

Students in GCE O/L and A/L classes use it to contact their home people when they are to come home after private tuition classes or to get information about their lessons or to ascertain whether their tuitors are available or not.

In view of these necessities, there is no objection from teachers and parents to use cell phones by students studying in higher grades. Since these children are grown up, it is hardly necessary for teachers to tell them about the use of mobile phones during the school hours. Because they do know their necessity of using it.

However, the children in grade six classes fall into a different category. They are at the playful age of about ten or eleven years. Children at this age concentrate much more on merry making and playing than on school work.

They are sometimes enterprising and sometimes aggressive. To explain their behaviour I may quote one incident which I heard some years ago. One day in the morning when the North bound train came and stopped at the Veyangoda Railway Station one schoolchild drawing out a whistle from his pocket and blew it.

Thinking that it was a signal given by the railway guard the train moved forward. This incident created a commotion at the station.

Though all children are not of that type, most children by nature, do such practical jokes which may bring about serious results. So when children at this age are allowed to use cell phones they may misuse it or use it in reasons and out of reasons.

Children in grade six classes are like free-birds. After the grade 5 scholarship examination and without any important examination like G.C.E (O/L) close at hand they enjoy certain amount of freedom both at school and home.

It is during this period that children are given computer training in schools. To obtain a computer knowledge is much more important for children at this age than diverting their mind to cell phones for which they have no sheer necessity like students in higher grades.

Mobile phones at the hand of small children will be a toy or an ornamental item than a necessary instrument for their day to day activities.

There was a time when cell phones were stolen even from the hand of elders. I heard at several times the incidents of cell phones being stolen from the hand bags of ladies and from the pockets of boys. Hence the safe keeping of phones will also be a problem for school going children in about grade six classes.

They may be allowed to use it when they can understand the necessity, responsibility and importance of the mobile phone.

Lands: Balancing interests of property development and agriculture

Sri Lanka is developing fast. There is a huge housing and construction boom throughout the country. The burgeoning middle class is building more houses, getting away from rented houses.

Commercial buildings are being built everywhere. This construction boom has naturally led to a demand for more land.

We see hundreds of advertisements for land blocks in Sunday newspapers, replete with beautiful colour photographs.

These lands are often advertised as "fully developed" meaning they have been cleared, tarred and provided with water. But what the advertiser wont tell you is that the land has probably been a fertile coconut plantation or even a rubber plantation. It is also not uncommon for them to fill up marshy lands.

This has become a serious issue. On one hand there is a need for development. On the other, we have to save our remaining coconut and rubber lands which produce precious agri commodities.

This is a dilemma that the State and the public face.

What are your views on this crucial issue ? We like to hear from you as the Daily News Debate shifts its focus on to "Lands: Balancing interests of property development and agriculture."

Make your views known in less than 1,000 words. 'Daily News Debate', Daily News, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited, PO Box 1217, Colombo, or via e-mail to [email protected] before January 31, 2008.