Break the Chain.

"......Break the Chain.....

 A sudden lockdown!!! 

It just sent the country into a whirlwind of activities. It was as if the whole world's stocks would end by midnight. Panic buying, retrieving of held up articles to stranded people waiting to return home, India witnessed everything in a span of 3 hours.

Even I made an unsuccessful attempt at getting my computer back from my workplace. 21 days, I could have worked from home if I had my computer with me. My whole world... a little one ...for a person like me was packed in a 29-inch digital world interface to my work and communication. Well! not really my whole world but my professional world. My whole little world came in a different package just 6 inches tall. Every time I looked at it I adored it a little more- my friend for life.

Breaking the chain of social contact to stop the spread of infection brought forth receding memories of me trying to break the chain of my activities as suggested by loved ones which had become an addiction. Yes!!!! I am addicted to my mobile phone. I wake up with it.... I sleep with it. My only regret, it's not wash proof or I could have kept it with me in shower. My partners in life have changed from time to time but I have forever remained loyal to my phone, not letting it out of my sight even for a moment.

 My friendship started in 2005, a decade and a half later I still feel the same excitement of the first night I beheld it.

Coming from humble background and being a man of 'different thinking' ...I could not hold on to one place for long. In midst of work and studies I met a computer supplier from Delhi. As the chord of acquaintance and friendly ties struck, which was easy since he too was a malayali, I asked him if he could get me a mobile phone.

This gadget was the latest entry into the market world of technology. The justification was well rehearsed. I could be communicated and contacted with ease which was difficult on landline.

Secretly I knew why I wanted it with the advent of Yahoo messenger sometime back, I had a stock of friends whom I would like to talk to. Waiting for STD calls every Sunday at the pay phone was really cumbersome. My chain of activities was very simple home, office, work, home, entertainment, sleep...

 Home was the room I lived in with my best friend, till then my computer and entertainment was my virtual world. sometimes a day or two with friends over a drink but I preferred being to myself in my room with my BF. By and by I felt the need to be in constant touch with my virtual friends that's how the thought of a personal mobile was conceived

My joy knew no bounds when the supplier friend of mine gifted me one, on his next visit from Delhi.

 Sagem -GSM phones, it was love at first sight for me and I knew then and there that no one could replace this lover of mine. My first connection BSNL-- how grateful I felt towards Indian telecommunication system. The next time I was on Yahoo messenger I saved the numbers of around 15 contacts and they had mine. I felt more equipped, more resourceful, more contactable. I walked tall, taller to my small frame and met people daily. I had something which they were just waking up to. My world was in my palmtop. An array of messages, one liners, greetings kept my feet few inches above the ground. Calls that lasted throughout the night. conversations songs ...smart talks. sweet nothings ... commands to be adhered to, all became a part and parcel of my lifestyle Needless to say that the same commanding voice is now my better half.

As technology developed so did mobile companies. I always wanted the new in the market. I turned to Nokia who promised durability. I became a virtual drunkard when I switched parties- from BSNL I deflected to Hutch, for better connectivity. Dog is man's best friend and follows him everywhere so I didn't think twice before switching allegiance, I desperately needed my friend.

But all addictions come with the cost, either health or your pocket. SMS were very costly so all the sweet, lovely, flirting words that were typed out came with a price tag. Call pulse rates were high. It did not disturb me till I received my first bill. Not only did I come crashing down to the ground from my flying state but also burrowed a big hole into my bank balance. How was I supposed to pay the amount, this was worse than the credit card. Once addicted forever I am. My bills did not stop my phone escapades, it only made be smarter to assess the financial situation and solve it. This made me enter into another chain-- borrowing .... first from family, friends’ acquaintances and ended with formal sources.

Ironically my parents realized the existence of my phone connection only when I borrowed money from them to pay the bills. Being good at commerce I managed to stay afloat till mobile companies and internet connections competed against one another and we consumers got the benefit of cheaper rates. I complimented myself for the capability of not losing any contact during my financial troubles. My tryst with them continued. Slowly Nokia gave way to display mobiles. Samsung came into the limelight with better look camera and internet service. To top it, Airtel with 'har ek friend zaroori hota hai' tagline seemed apt for my situation. I promised to keep it up.

Slowly my computer took a back seat. It became my professional work book., while all my entertainment I slowly transferred into my hand. You will never find me without my mobile. I am so loyal to it that people at my workplace find me either at my desk working or head bent deep in conversation with my phone. Every photograph -formal informal has both of us together.

 The only time I remember me without my mobile is during a small surgery I had to undergo. Faces around me smirked when I asked for my lover -my mobile phone the moment I regained consciousness

Every one stopped complaining and time slipped by. I did not let any idea change my life or break my chain of virtual friendship. New models rolled out and I kept abreast with latest technology. Presently with redmi and Vodafone- the future is exciting...and I am ready.

 I live on my phone.

I eat from it…. thanks to food home delivery apps. I socialize, I shop, I entertain.... can't think of a life without it. This one addiction of mine has actually helped me in this hour of lockdown.

I look around to find people depressed as they are not allowed to move out into the world while………

I am locked down, in my room with my world....

and this one chain I need not break.

It's safe!!!!!