Our First Telephone

India is the second fastest growing country in the world. According to IMF, India will be the second largest economy on this planet by the mid of this century. No doubt, the GenNext will enjoy all the privileges that now west do. Though, it will be interesting to see how the contemporary generation will react to the paradigm shift in their lifestyle. However, till today, they have been adaptive to the drastic change in the last two decades. For example, the emergence of telephone in our country has played a big role in defining new India, that some call, ‘Shining India’.

There was time when if you had applied for a telephone (Landline); you would have to wait for long time to get a connection. I mean about 5-10 years and this is not long before, just 15 years back. I remember when my dad had applied for a telephone connection in around mid 97. At that time, I had no idea what it could possibly do except talking. I had never dialed a number before. My dad 1000 miles away from us used to communicate with us through postal letters, which means 10-15 days.
My uncle was the first person in our village who got a connection after waiting 8 years, in 1999. It was a remarkable achievement by the villagers. Everyone was so excited. That was the time I realized for the first time that telephone could be a necessity. It was like the whole world is connected to the village. His number became the public number which could be given to your friends and relatives but only for making important calls. Nevertheless, he was quite happy with this recognition. It was not long when he realized that it was getting a headache with 4-5 messages to be delivered everyday.

I have never bought a lottery ticket, but it was no less than winning a lottery when we got our own telephone number. It was exhilarating, like we have a new born baby. I was desperate to hear the ring. And there it goes! , ring ring! Our first call, my dad picked the phone, it was from the telephone department congratulating us on our new connection. The whole next week was like a big event.
That was my first Telephone.

But, then happened the unfortunate event, it stopped working, which they were calling 'it is Dead.’ For a day or two, I literally thought, it was dead and we have to again wait for next 8 years. My dad said he had made a complaint and they would soon fix it. It was like you have come alive, through a deadly disease. The next whole month was gloomy, waiting for the lineman every day. He was at the lowest rank in the telecom department. Nonetheless, the most respected person as if he was a very high government official. Every time he would visit he was offered tea and sweets, much respected job.

Let's take a jump to the present. Now, every second person in the village is having a Mobile phone, forget about a landline telephone. If you have 20 bucks, you can get a mobile handset with lifetime connection, all this in 10 minutes of procedure, compare it with 8 years we had waited. How does this sound to you? Well, it is not surprising to me, because I have seen the transition and expect more revolutionary developments to come in future. Though, the amusing fact is that after a surge in the telephone connection with around 35 connections, in the village, within 6 years, 1997-2003, it has gone back to its solitary period with just two connections at present.

Moreover, my grandma, who doesn't even know 'E' of English uses a Nokia handset. Astonishingly, she can make a call, though, she can’t count. But, this is just the trailer of the movie that we are going to see in next 30 years. But for me, I still love the ringing of my mobile the same way I used to do with my first telephone. However, I miss the excitement of the first ring. Anyways, the world relies on change and who knows even the mobile phones would be obsolete some time.