Mobile phones are indeed a blessing and one just cannot do without it in this first paced world. Everybody who is even a nobody loves flaunting it. It has made communication simple and instant.

Today, with cutting edge technology you can do more with your thumbs on that small handset on your palm. It is not just conversation or text messages. Today, you can take pictures with high resolution, share photos, take motion pictures and even send or read your e-mails.

Technology has become so sophisticated that even terrorist are also known to have used the mobile phone as a remote control device for detonating bombs!

With a mobile phone, one just cannot remain out of touch like it or not, except of course during busy network or no network coverage. It has made life easier and simpler for everyone as far as communication is concerned.

Young people who are studying outside the State can now instantly dial up their parents asking for allowances. I remember when I was in Delhi during my school days when I had to write long letters demanding father (may his soul rest in peace) to send money immediately.

The letters would take days and most of the time I had to borrow from friends while waiting for the money to arrive. Sometimes, the much anticipated letter from home turn out to be a heart breaker when father in his inimitable style admonished me with long explanation why he should send money every now and then.

Or take the example of young people in love or those married guys having extra-marital affairs. I believe they need to say special prayers to the Almighty every day for the blessing called mobile phone.

Today, a date is made simpler with mobile phones. Whenever they may be, they can keep in touch with each other and have an impromptu date without anyone's knowledge.

Gone are the days when you have to wait for long hours at the gate of the restaurant waiting for your date riding on a hooded rickshaw.

Or think of those lucky guys who are happily married and dating someone else just to add zing to their life. A special ring tone can inform that someone special is on the line without the knowledge of the 'homemaker'.

I believe there must be some married guys who are hell scared to leave the mobile alone and taking it even inside the latrines for the fear that the special tone may ring anytime anywhere. Believe me, they do not even charge their batteries at home; rather take the charger along to charge the handset in car or office!

This cupid story bring me back memories how a friend of mine used to meet his sweet heart. We would go to the leikai of his sweet heart.

We would walk up and down sometimes for hours infront of her house. Mind you, there were no mobiles at that time and walking up to the door of the girl was a strict no. Looking out of her window, she would sometimes gesture us to wait a little while.

We would look at her and manage to nod our heads as if everything was normal under the sun. The waiting can be painful. As soon as she comes out, we pretend not having seen her. As she walks about ten yard ahead of us then only we would sheepishly follow her.

She then takes us to a hotel nearby where we would sit and talk over three or four cups of red tea and liberal doses of singju, kangou and bora. If the guy was lucky enough, she would slip in a letter quietly in his pocket or hands which would make the date memorable.

Yes, those were the times when there were no cell phones and life was simple. But I believe the romance of wooing and dating has sadly come to an end with the advent of mobile phones.

Those were the days when we would write mushy letters with special stationery and perfumed pens asking for hands of everlasting friendship. The replies would come and the exchange of letters would go on, making each and every moment exciting and electrifying to say the least.

Today, even break-up are at fingertips. All you have to do is send a text message maybe with a picture message something like, srry, drling! Gudby. Thnx 4 da gud times.

In the good olden days not so long ago, break up letter were long, tear jerking, tragic and memorable.

The other point that I would like to make about owning a mobile phone is that there are no more surprise visits from friends, unless, parents et al.

Today, no one visit some one without calling up first. With cell phones, you can always inform your friends that you are visiting them and get them ready with the booze and the works.

Earlier, friends and family members would visit us without any prior information. We would organise impromptu dinner parties and talk about everything under the sun. I say there is a charm and a sort of human relationship in it.

Today, I miss surprise visit from friends, near and dear ones. Even if we have dinner parties today, someone or other will be busy with their mobile phones talking or sending text message. In short the cell phone has exterminated the charm of surprise visit and human bonding.

Abbreviation game:

BSNL stands for Bill for Sure, Network Lousy.
ABCD says Always be Careful Darling!