By : Barnali Bose, Editor-ICN
KOLKOTA: “All mobiles and other electronic devices are to be switched off or kept on flight mode,” blared the announcement loud and clear. As I looked out of the oval window,I saw the transit bus and the airport building in reversible mode. Having tightened my seat belt, I was in a prayerful mood for a safe flight. A blaring Hindi movie number distracted my attention.
On trail of the source of the sound, I tracked it to be emanating from the passenger ‘s pocket on the aisle seat in the same row as I was. Oh, for the trring trring sound, the only sound telephone calls made in our childhood days!
I calculated him to be a man of perhaps thirty five, although he looked older perhaps due to his receding hairline. Swooping out the device, he started talking in hushed tones. I shot him a look of disapproval assuming a mere look would suffice but it didn’t.
The aircraft was gaining speed. He seemed not to bother. I was beginning to wonder whether he was a psychopath, a habitual offender or one who had given up on the urge to live for I have been made to believe that mobile signals can interfere with flight signals during take off and landing.
I could bear it no longer. “ Excuse me,please,” said I, “ You are supposed to switch off your mobile, aren’t you?” A little taken aback by my unexpected interference into what he perhaps believed to be his ‘ personal space’, he shot a blank glance at me and then nodded a bit hesitatingly but didn’t stop immediately.
But just as the flight began to take off, he did cut short his talk. I heaved a sigh of relief that I didn’t have to seek the crew’s intervention in this matter.
Recently the announcement by TRAI that very soon mobile network and internet connectivity will be available on flight has stirred up a hornet’s nest.While some are elated at the proposal, others like me are somewhat sceptical about it.
Owing to easy access to mobile and internet facilities and the competitive rates of service providers,we are all continuously exposed to ceaseless chatter in verbal and written form. Whether in office,at home,on the road or in public transport, the sound of silence has become conspicuous by its absence.
It is only when you are on air,can you relax and not be jolted out of your reverie by people indulging in various kinds of loud talk, petty or intellectual,senseless or sensible. Providing mobile connectivity on air would deprive you of the right to the temporary relief from noise that today’s air journey provides.
