Recently a newspaper reported that a 20-year-old college girl in a certain town was ran over and killed by a running train. As I read this terrible news, I was saddened that a precious life was cut short in such a tragic manner. However, as I read on, I was more shocked to know that the girl was talking to somebody on her mobile phone and did not notice that a train was speeding towards her. A careless behaviour took away a precious life! Such tragedies are repeated daily in every part of the world, especially by using mobile phone while driving. It was pointed out by someone that a recent air tragedy that killed so many people was caused, perhaps, by someone not following the warning that all mobile phones should be switched off inside the plane. The navigational system of the plane can malfunction or interfere with the landing system and thus cause terrible tragedies.
None can deny the manifold functions and advantages of mobile phone. It has become impossible to ignore it or do away with it. It helps us connected to our relatives and friends, even across the continents. But the tragedy is that it has become so much a part of our daily life that it takes precedence even over the safety of our lives! This goes to say how badly we misuse this wonderful invention which, if put to right use, is our fastest medium of communication today. However, mobile phone has made many its slaves that it controls the way they spend their waking hours. In a study conducted recently in one of the advanced countries, it was found that 50% of youngsters between 13 and 14 years of age regularly use mobile phones. It is 80% amongst the age-group of 18-19 in the same country. These figures may look exaggerated in a less advanced country, but the trend is towards increased use of the media everywhere. Improper and exaggerated use of mobile phones can have serious repercussions as the tragedy mentioned above proves. Uncontrolled use of mobile phones can also cause us to miss out on precious time with God, with family, with good friends, with nature and even with ourselves.
