Swalpa Adjust Madkoli - 4

I belong to a very small minority of people who takes pride in the fact that I am not highly dependent on technology, especially for communication purposes. I am contented with my landline connection and internet to keep me informed about the world around me.

More often than not, I am counseled by well-wishers and even mere acquaintances on the importance of owning at least a basic mobile phone so that I am connected with the universe.

A decade ago, I would wax eloquently on my logic of rejecting the cell phone. As years passed by, I learnt the art of listening to advice sparing the contacts of my long-winded opinion. Of late, people who know me well have given up on me, because they find me highly incorrigible yet, despite being (im/non?) mobiled!

Recently, I was confronted with a litmus test. On one fateful day, a young cousin of mine thrust his latest smartphone into my hands to help me spend some crucial waiting hours in a fruitful way. The thought of reading Sherlock Holmes and Pride and Prejudice on a little screen tickled me no end. All the same, I found myself browsing through my favorite pages of the said books. Then I launched Angry Birds from a catapult to release their brethren and sliced enough E fruits and nuts to feed an army.

 I found my single-digit scores escalating with my attempts on lines of King Bruce and I managed to set new high scores on some levels. A couple of hours and ten numb fingers later, I raised my head to find that my wait was up.

With surging pride at my accomplishment, I handed over the gadget awkwardly to the young man for I knew not how to switch it off. As I dazedly slipped back to the real world, I was flooded by loads of suggestions, advice and even gift offers to go in for a similar thingy. The novel entertaining experience strengthened my original feelings towards the phone like never before.

I realised that I would forfeit my freedom in more ways than one if I buckled to the temptation besides I see that there is no point in patronizing carcinogenic cells with the aid of the contraption. Nevertheless, I don’t think that I will pass up an opportunity to try out some more games or books when the next generous soul happens to thrust the instrument into my hands during my vacant hours. This way I can sail in two boats and remain cell–less (pun intended!) Those who want to treat me as a Pariah because of my Paleolithic status, go ahead and those who love me despite my so-called eccentricities, "Swalpa Adjust Madkoli" Ple-----ze!